D365 | SCM | Long Drive To Basic Warehouse - PDT Barcode Solution | Part 2

Hello Everyone,

Hope you doing great!

Abstract:

While architecting the Supply chain management solution for the enterprise-level implementations, there are a few core questions that must be concluded with the business process owners. Here, I have listed a few of them

• What is your product and what are its core attributes?
• How you are placing your product in your warehouse, what is your warehouse layout?
• What equipment you are using in your warehouse to perform the inventory movement?
• Do you have quality checks for inventory?
• What is your warehouse process for Inbound and Outbound operations?
• Are you maintaining the list for standard operating procedures?
• What are your recruitment criteria for warehouse workers and what are the KPI's for labor?
• Are you using warehouse mobile devices or Portable data terminals for warehouse operations?

Once you get the answers to the above queries, you will get a fair idea of architecting the overall solution for inventory and warehouse management.

Where is the Gap in D365 SCM?

The major gap in the basic warehouse is the unavailability of the Warehouse Mobile Device. To overcome this gap, We have developed a PDT(Portable Data Terminal) module.

What is a PDT?

A portable data terminal, or shortly PDT, is?an electronic device that is used to enter or retrieve data via wireless transmission (WLAN or WWAN). They have also been called enterprise digital assistants (EDA), data capture mobile devices, batch terminals or just portables

The PDT handheld mobile device is offering the following key features

• PO creation
• PO Item registration and receiving
• Supplier returns
• Product Label/Barcode Printing
• Shelf Label Printing
• Transfer request creation (Warehouse to store)
• Transfer order shipment
• Transfer order receiving
• Stock Count
• Inventory adjustments or Writeoff

PDT Module

Below is the Screenshot for the PDT module, this is the complete solution when you enable the basic warehouse in the Inventory management module, once the module is enabled you can plug and play with the entire PDT features.

The solution is useful when you don't want to enable and use the Advanced Warehouse Management. Remind you that if you enable the AWMS for warehouse and items, then you need to maintain the Shipments, loads, Work, and license plate level inventory management.

For the basic warehouse, we will just enable the site, warehouse, and one default location. The solution will be the best fit for the stores where we have only one default location.

Create PO using PDT

The below screenshot is from the PDT module, the same can be accessed from the PDT device, the store user can create the purchase order by clicking new. Once all the lines will be added, the PO will be submitted for approval from a mobile device.

Create Purchase order Product Receipt

The PDT can be used to register and receive the items against the Purchase order.

Log in to your mobile device and Scan or enter the PO number. The receiver will scan the item barcode or item number and start the item registration using the handheld mobile device.

Once all items will be registered at the default location, the receiver will click Post to post the receiving. The item status will be received against the PO line item in the inventory transactions.

Create and Ship Transfer Order

• Navigate to PDT > Common > Direct Transfers.
• Click new and enter the store Id where stock is to be shipped.
• Scan item barcode or enter Local code manually in the Code field
• Define quantity in the TO Qty field.
• Click Add to add lines. Repeat the above steps to add more columns.

• Click shipment TO
• Click Post-Shipment TO.
• This will post the transfer order shipment, the transfer order status will be "Shipped".

Transfer Order Receiving

The store worker can register and receive the transfer order.

• Navigate to PDT > Common > Direct Transfers.
• Scan the TO barcode printed on the TO Printout.
• Click Receive TO
• Post "Receive TO"
• This will post the transfer order received for store 33. The transfer order status will become "Received".

Goods Return Order

It's possible to return the goods back to the warehouse or store. The store user can create the goods return voucher or return transfer order from PDT.

• Navigate to PDT > Common > GRV Invoice
• Click New and scan a barcode or enter item id manually in the Code field
• Enter quantity to return in qty field.
• Click add and Repeat the steps to add more items.
• Finally, post the transfer order to ship the transfer order from store 33.

Product Label/Barcode Printing

We can print the product label or barcode from the PDT device.

• Navigate to PDT > Common > Barcode Print
• Select Print type as Barcode from drop down.
• Click New and Scan item barcode or enter item id manually in the Code field
• Enter quantity to return in qty field.
• Add an item in the lower grid or click the add-in button.
• Mark Print Barcode check box
• Click Print in the action pane. This will print the item barcode.

Shelf Label Printing

We can print the shelf labels from the PDT.

• Navigate to PDT > Common > Barcode Print
• Select Print type as Shelf Label from drop down.
• Click New and Scan a barcode or enter item id manually in the Code field
• Enter quantity to return in qty field.
• Add an item in the lower grid or click the add-in button.
• Mark Print Barcode check box
• Click Print in the action pane. This will print the shelf label.

Stock Counting

There are two prerequisites for the stock count from PDT, one is a tag count journal and the other is to create and print the bin locations. Create the tag count journal and use the same journal at the time of the stock counting process from PDT.

Select the location and scan the item barcode to start the stock count process. Once all the items will be counted for the location, the worker can close the location. Repeat the same steps to count the next location. After counting all the locations(Racks etc.) for the stores. Close and post the stock count for the store. This will update the tag counting journal in the back office.

In the back office, the inventory controller will finally review the tag counting journal and create and post the counting journal. We can deploy the workflow approval for the counting journal.

Inventory Adjustment or Write off

It's possible to create the stock adjustment for damaged or expired items. Once the damage has been reported from the PDT, the system will create the Inventory Adjusting journal in the back office.

The inventory controller will review the adjustment journal, we can deploy the workflow approval for the adjustment process. The finance team will validate and post the journal.

Let's conclude this blog and mention a few Confiz champions who are the real heroes to develop this solution.

• Huzaifa Tur Razzam
• Waqar Ahmed
• Asad Ansari

Remember, we are on a "Long Drive to Basic and Advance Warehouse Management", keep connected and stay tuned to Walk the Talk.

Feel free to share your feedback in the comments section.?

Truly Yours,

Ali Danish?

ERP Microsoft D365FO Solution Architect | Corporate Trainer

M: +971554912688