ALLOCATION SEARCH PATHS

Allocation Search Paths

Introduction

An allocation search path is a rule that identifies a source area from which
Warehouse Management should attempt to allocate inventory for a pick and/or
replenishment based on the attributes of the required inventory.
The source of the inventory to be allocated is defined in the search path by a
warehouse, building and area. The search path also specifies a load level (such as
each, case or pallet), a search path type (picking or replenishment), whether threshold
picks can be allocated and the unit of measure (if a load level is not specified) that
can be allocated.
You use Allocation Search Path Maintenance to configure allocation search paths.

Objectives This chapter provides you with a general understanding of allocation search paths.
After reading this information, you will know

• about allocation search path processing

• how to configure allocation search paths for your facility, and

• how to view existing allocation search paths.

In This Topic Page

Chapter General Concepts 2

Configure Allocation Search Paths 3

View Allocation Search Paths 8

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General Concepts

Search Path A search path attribute is a value (such as an item number or item family) that is used
Attributes to qualify which inventory is allocated using the search path. For example, you can
define an allocation search path to make sure that inventory

• from a specific area (such the Freezer) is given priority when allocating inventory
for a specific item family (such as Frozen Goods).

• from building B1 is given priority when allocating inventory for a specific

destination area in that building.

• for a specific client in a 3PL environment, inventory within pickfaces is given

priority over inventory in reserve, if that is your preference.
A default set of attributes is provided, but you can define your own set of attributes
by adding column names from the order, order line, work order or work order detail
tables as code values to the alloc_search_dtl column in Code Maintenance. For more
information, see the information on maintaining codes in the Warehouse
Management online help.

Search Path Typically, multiple allocation search paths are defined and ordered into a sequential
Processing list. During the allocation process, Warehouse Management evaluates the search
paths in sequential order until it finds a search path that matches the attributes of the
inventory that is required, and then it attempts to allocate inventory from a location in
the source area defined by the path. If allocation is partially or not successful,
Warehouse Management will use the next sequential applicable search path.
An allocation search path with no attribute values defined is the default path by
which the system attempts to allocate any inventory. However, if an allocation search
path is specified for the order line, that inventory would only be allocated by a search
path that contains a matching value in the Allocation Search Path column.

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Configure Allocation Search Paths

Allocation You use Allocation Search Path Maintenance to configure the process of inventory
Search Path allocation using a wide range of criteria, such as order, order line, client (for a 3PL
Maintenance environment) and item attributes. When you create an allocation search path, you
specify

• the sequence in which the search path is applied.

• the warehouse, building and area from which the allocation can take place.

• the load level of inventory that can be allocated.

• whether a threshold pick can be allocated and, if so, the unit of measure for the
threshold pick. For more information, see the information on threshold picking in
the Warehouse Management online help.

• whether the search path is for a picking or replenishment process.

• the attributes that define the inventory or order line attributes to which the search
path applies. The available attributes are defined as code values in the
alloc_search_dtl column in Code Maintenance. For information, see the
information on maintaining codes in the Warehouse Management online help.
After allocation search paths are defined, you can use Allocation Search Path
Maintenance to modify and delete allocation search paths when necessary. Also, after
defining allocation search paths, you can change the sequence in which search paths
are evaluated.

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Example: This image is an example of the Allocation Search Path Maintenance window.
Allocation
Search Path
Maintenance
Window

Controls: This table describes the controls on the Allocation Search Path Maintenance window.
Allocation
Search Path Control Description
Maintenance Grid View – Editable
Window Cells
Sequence Number Order in which the search path will be evaluated. A value of
1 indicates the search path is evaluated first, a value of 2
indicates the search path is evaluated next and so on.
Building ID Unique name or code for the building from which inventory
associated with this search path will be allocated.
Area Area from which inventory associated with this search path
will be allocated.
Warehouse ID Unique identifier assigned to the facility from which inventory
associated with this search path will be allocated.
Load Level Packaging level at which inventory associated with this
search path will be allocated. These are the valid values:
Load (Pallet) = Inventory at the pallet level. Sub-Load (Case)
= Inventory at the case level. In Warehouse Management, a
sub-load is always a uniquely identifiable portion of the pallet
load. Detail (Each) = Inventory at the each or piece level. No
selection (blank) = Inventory at any level can be allocated.

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Control Description
Unit of Measure Unit of measure, as defined in the part footprint, against
which inventory can be allocated. This value is used to limit
the search for a load level to a specific unit of measure. If
the Threshold Pick check box is selected, then this value is
required because the threshold percentage is set by UOM
(such as Pallet and Case) for the item footprint. For
example, if you enable threshold picking in a pallet area,
then you would typically set the unit of measure in that area
to Pallet.
Threshold Pick1 Indicates that inventory allocated using this search path can
be a threshold pick. A threshold pick is a pick that contains
more inventory than is needed for the order, and from which
the unneeded inventory is removed. For example, if a full
pallet consists of 10 cases, and an order line requires 9
cases, the operator can be directed to a pallet storage
location to pick a full pallet and then remove the unneeded
case, rather than pick 9 cases separately from a case
pickface.
Search Path Type Type of allocation to which the search path applies. These
are the valid values: Picking = Search path applies to picking
allocation. Replenishment = Search path applies to
replenishment allocation. No selection (left blank) = Lets you
query for both picking and replenishment search paths.
Item Number Unique code used to identify a product. All product attributes
are linked to the item number. Warehouse Management
uses item numbers to track and identify product within your
facility.
Item Family Unique code that is used to group similar items together.
Typically, all of the items within a family have the same
material handling characteristics.
Item Client ID2 Name of the client who stores this item in the facility.
2
Client ID Unique identifier for a client who houses product within a
multi-client (third-party logistics) warehouse/facility. The
client ID distinguishes one client from another and lets
Warehouse Management effectively manage activity for
multiple clients in one warehouse.
Destination Area Final point of deposit for the picked inventory. For orders,
this is typically a ship staging area; for work orders, this is
typically the area to which finished product from the
production line area will be sent for receiving.
Allocation Search Path Unique code that defines an allocation search path. If the
value you specify matches what appears in the ord_line
table, then it is used to find the allocation search path.
Values for this column are defined in the alc_search_path
column in Code Maintenance.
Item Family Group Unique code that is used to group similar item families
together. Typically, all of the item families within a group
have the same material handling characteristics.

1
Only applies when the Search Path Type is "Picking".
2
Only appears in a 3PL environment.

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To configure allocation search paths

Procedure
1. Start Allocation Search Path Maintenance.
2. If desired, add or modify an allocation search path.
1. In the grid view, if the grid is not editable, then click .
2. If desired, click to add another allocation search path. A value appears in
the Sequence Number column that represents the maximum sequence
number plus 1.
3. If you want to change the sequence in which this path will be evaluated, then
in the Sequence Number column, type a different sequence number.
4. In the Building column, select the building from which inventory for this
search path will be allocated.
5. In the Area column, select the area from which inventory associated with
this search path will be allocated.
6. In the Warehouse ID column, select the warehouse from which inventory
associated with this search path will be allocated.
7. If desired, in the Load Level column, select the packaging level at which
inventory associated with this search path will be allocated.
8. If you want to limit the load level to a specific unit of measure, or if you
want to allow threshold picks from this area, then in the Unit of Measure
column, select the unit of measure at which inventory associated with this
search path will be allocated.
9. If you want to allow threshold picks to be allocated from this area, then in the
Threshold Pick column, select the check box; otherwise, clear it.
IMPORTANT: If you select the Threshold Pick check box, then you must
select a value in the Unit of Measure column to indicate the level at which a
threshold pick is allocated.

10. In the remaining columns, type, look up or select values that determine the
inventory to which the search path applies; or leave a column blank to apply
the path to inventory that meets the rest of the criteria. These columns may
vary, depending on your configuration.
Note: For information on an available column, click a cell and then press F1.

IMPORTANT: If an allocation search path is specified on an order line, then

that inventory will only be allocated from an area with a matching search
path.

11. Click .
12. When a message appears asking if you want to save the search path, click
OK.

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3. If you want to change the sequence in which a search path is evaluated, then in
the grid view, select the path that you want to move, and click or to adjust
its position in the list. The sequence number changes automatically when you
reposition the path.

Note: Alternatively, in the Sequence Number column, you can type a new
number and then when you save the information, the system automatically
reorders the list of search paths.

4. If desired, delete an allocation search path.

1. In the grid view, select the search path that you want to delete.
2. Click .
3. When a message appears asking if you want to delete the search path, click
OK.
4. Click . The system automatically reorders the list of search paths.

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View Allocation Search Paths

Description Allocation Search Path Maintenance lets you view a prioritized list of defined search
paths for picks and replenishments.

To view allocation search paths

Procedure
1. Start Allocation Search Path Maintenance.
2. If desired, type, select or look up the search criteria for the search path
information that you want to view, or take these actions:

• If the query fields that you want to use do not appear on the window, then
from the Profile list, select a different profile.
Note: If an acceptable profile does not exist, then see the information
on creating or modifying a profile in the Warehouse Management online
help.

• If you want to use pre-defined search criteria, from the Criteria list, select a
criteria scheme.
Note: If you want to create and save a criteria scheme, then see the
information on creating a criteria scheme in the Warehouse
Management online help.

3. Click . The search path information appears.

4. When you are finished viewing the search paths, click .

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