Thanks to the redesign of the Amphora Station screens, we have made the packing process simpler and more intuitive, therefore, if you follow the instructions that appear on the screen, you should be able to pack the orders easily. Additionally, we have added the controller. This tool, which appears on your mobile device screen when you connect to the station, allows you to navigate the station and perform some actions during the packing process.
To begin packing a B2B order, go to the packing station and connect to the Amphora Station by scanning the QR code (top right corner) with the universal scanner of the Amphora App.
ORDER INSTRUCTIONS
Before starting, it is important to know that by pressing the eye symbol on the controller, you can see the order instructions, which are necessary to consider the packaging details.
Take one of the bags with product that the pickers have left at the station and follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
Once you have scanned the bag, you can start scanning products.
WARNING!
You can also add products manually from the controller.
When scanning a product, place it in a box so it can be packaged later. You will see that you already have the 'Close till' option on the controller.
Scan as many products as you like and when you wish to check out, press 'Close checkout' on the controller.
To confirm the box, you must scan the label that was printed when you closed it.
Now you just need to assign the box to a pallet bag. Scan a bag or create one if you don't have any and leave the box with its bag in an area of the packing station.
Finally, scan the pallet bag again to confirm it and you can continue packing other products.
Types of packing
So far, we have seen the process of a "normal" packing with basic products, but now we will explain how you should carry it out in case you need to pack master boxes, pallets, or virtuals.
Packing with master box
A master box contains a specific quantity of the same product, therefore, as large quantities are moved in B2B orders, it is very likely that it will be useful for you to know how this packing method works. The dynamics of packaging are similar to what we have explained previously, but you will need to take into account some other factors.
First, you must press 'Add box' on the controller and then scan the barcode of the product contained in the master box.
WARNING!
Once you press 'Add box', the following screen will appear on the controller in case you wish to go back.
Next, you will need to specify how many boxes you want to add and the quantity of product each box contains.
Finally, scan the label on the box to confirm it. In case you have more than one box, scan all the labels.
Packing with pallets
This process is very similar to that of packing with master boxes. The only thing that changes is that you will have to add the pallet details from the controller.
First, you must press 'Add pallet' on the controller and then scan the barcode of the product contained in the pallet.
Next, you should define how many pallets you want to add and the quantity of product each pallet contains.
Now, scan the pallet label to confirm it.
As we explained before, the only difference in the process compared to packing master boxes is defining the details of the pallet. Add the type of pallet, the measurements, the weight and press 'Confirm'.
Repeat this process if you have more pallets until they are all completed.
Packing with virtuals
Virtual products are items that do not actually exist in the warehouse as they are a combination of others that do physically exist. Therefore, the packing works differently.
When you scan a product that is part of a virtual, this screen will appear.
From here, the system itself will make you scan the necessary products to complete the virtuals.
When you have finished, you can continue with the next virtual one or close the till.
When you decide to close the till, you need to follow the same process as in the "basic" packing we explained at the beginning of this article. Press 'Close till' on the controller and then scan the label that will be printed to confirm it.
How can I complete the packing?
To complete the packing process, you will need to close boxes/pallets from the app and print the labels so that the orders can be distributed by the carriers. To carry out these final steps, follow the instructions we provide below.
IMPORTANT!
You will only be able to close pallets once you have finished closing all the boxes.
Select the order you wish to finish packing (you can go directly to the 'Pending packing' status) and click 'Close packages'. Afterwards, you must choose whether to close a box (for non-palletised shipments) or a pallet (for palletised shipments).
If you choose to close a box, the app will direct you to a screen with the order summary where you can print the labels to send it.
If you choose to close a pallet, you must scan the pallet bag where the products are located to close the pallet. You also have the option to 'Create bag' when you do not have one.
Once the bag is closed, the app will direct you to a screen with the order summary where you can print the labels to send it.
With this, you will have completed the entire B2B order process and all that remains is for the carrier to deliver it to the end customer.
What other features does the app have?
Once the boxes of a B2B order are closed, you can explore some of the features that the app allows you. Select 'Completed' to view the boxes contained in the order and click 'Edit'.
Here, you will be able to assign the boxes to a pallet. Scan a pallet bag (or create one if none are available) and press 'Confirm'.
If you wish to assign all the boxes to the same pallet, press 'Assign all boxes' and then scan a pallet bag.
If you press the blue button where the name of the created bag(s) appears, you will be able to see the summary of the bags.
If you click 'Edit' on any of the boxes assigned to a pallet, you will have different options:
Reprint the box label.
You can transfer the box from one pallet to another pallet. You just need to press 'Move box to another pallet' and scan a pallet bag (if you don't have one, you can create one by pressing 'Create bag'). Confirm the action to complete the action.
There is also the option to 'Undo box'. This functionality is mainly used to delete the process that has been carried out and start the packing from the beginning. To carry out this action, you must scan (or create) an empty progress bag. Confirm the process to complete it.