Shipping Routes - Overview

The Shipping Routes feature in Production Control allows for multiple shipping and receiving of materials.

Production Control - Global Shipping Route Maintenance

Assemblies and parts can now be shipped through any number of intermediate destinations.
Shipping routes can be set up globally as well as for specific jobs.
Ship an accessory part on it's own and then join it's weight with the assembly for subsequent shipping steps.
Set up a shipping route with more than one available firm for a shipping step, allowing the actual destination to be chosen on the fly.
The production status screen, project summary reports, and master load list reports show the completion status of each destination that a part is routed through.
Load tracking interfaces re-designed.
New load details screen provides an easy tabular view to see what is planned, loaded, shipped, returned, and also on load.
Filter options added to the new load tracking screens to make it easier to find and drill-down on specific information.
Quickly identify the current location of each part that has been shipped.

Shipping Route Maintenance

The Shipping Route Maintenance window:

New - Opens the shipping route properties screen in insert mode.
Copy - Opens the shipping route properties screen in insert mode, starting with a copy of the selected shipping route.
Properties - Opens the shipping route properties screen in edit mode.
Delete - Deletes the selected shipping route. If the job-specific shipping routes are being viewed then a shipping route cannot be deleted if there are currently parts assigned to it.

Shipping Route Properties

Shipping Route Description - Title of the shipping route, must be unique among the shipping routes.
Join with Assembly Option - When the shipping route is assigned to an accessory part with the accessory load tracking option checked this field is used to determine if/when the weight of the accessory should be included in the shipping weight of the assembly. If the Jobsite destination is in the shipping route then this option must be set to None, since the accessory will have already been shipped to the jobsite.

None - The weight of the accessory is not included in the shipping weight of the assembly.
Join with assembly for first destination - The weight of the accessory is included in the shipping weight of the assembly for all of it's destinations.
Join with assembly for... - When this option is selected you must also select a 'Join with Assembly For' destination. The weight of the accessory is included in the shipping weight of the assembly for that destination and any that come after.
Join with assembly after... - When this option is selected you must also select a 'Join with Assembly After' destination. The weight of the accessory is included in the shipping weight of the assembly for any destinations that come after that selected destination.

A shipping route can have any number of destinations. It is permissible to have a shipping route with no destinations.

If the Jobsite destination is present then it will always be the last destination.

Add - Opens the destination properties screen in insert mode to add a new destination to the shipping route.
Properties - Opens the destination properties screen in edit mode.
Delete - Removes the selected destination from the shipping route.
Move Up - Moves the selected destination one step earlier in the shipping route. Disabled when the Jobsite is selected (since the jobsite must be last) and when there is no earlier destination in the route.
Move Down - Moves the selected destination one step later in the shipping route. Disabled when there are no destinations later in the route and when the only destination later in the route is the Jobsite.
Save Route - Saves the shipping route details.

Shipping Route Destination Properties

Destination Group - Used to identify the work being performed at this destination. This is used to determine the destinations that are still remaining to be completed if the shipping route is changed or if a part is assigned to a different shipping route after shipping has begun. Jobsite is always available as the first option. Any text can be entered here, and after it is used once will appear in the drop-down list for future selections. Double-click on the input to open a maintenance screen where the options can be explicitly added or removed.

Add Firm - Opens a screen to enter the Firm Type and Firm Name to add a firm as available for shipping. Disabled when the destination group is Jobsite. When the destination group is anything other than Jobsite then at least one firm must be added.

Remove Firm - Removes the selected firm as available for shipping.
Set Firm as Primary - One firm must be selected as the primary (unless the destination group is Jobsite in which case there are no firms). Parts assigned to the shipping route can be shipped on a load bound for any of the firms on this screen. On the production control reports, and production status screen, and project summary reports the firm set as the primary will have the remaining totals reported against it.
Save Destination - Saves the destination details.

Load Tracking

The Load Tracking window:

Click the ‘New Load’ button to start a new load. The ‘Load Details’ (New) window opens.

Click the drop down arrows to select a location the load is shipping from.

From – Click the drop down arrow to select the location the load is shipping from
Destination Group – Click the drop down arrow to select a load destination
Load # - The load number automatically populates the load number
Trailer # - Click the drop down arrow to select a Trailer #
Carrier - Click the drop down arrow to select a Carrier
Capacity – The Capacity automatically populates according to Load number and Trailer selections

When completed with data entry for the load, Click the ‘Save’ button at the bottom of the window, opening the ‘Load Details – Not Shipped’ window, now ready for adding Materials.

The fields for Trailer # and Carrier are optional. The trailer capacity and drop down arrow selections for Trailer # and Carrier are according to the setups in the Maintenance - Production Control Company Standards window for Load Tracking Settings.

The Load Tracking Settings window:

Click on the Top Tabs for Trailer #, Carrier, Load Categories, Shipped From and Date Received to add information for these fields to be used in the window for Load Tracking. Click to place a checkmark in the fields for ‘Show Field’ and/or ‘Value Required’ if selections are to show in the Production Control Load Tracking window.

The ‘Load Details’ window:

Add Material – Click the ‘Add Material’ button, opening the ‘Loads – Add Material’ window.

Opened by clicking the Add Material button on the loads, load details, or material loaded screens.

Filter - Allows the list of items to be filtered based on any details of the parts.

This screen has an included/not-included selection of parts to add to the selected load. The order of the destinations that a part is shipped to is enforced, so the items available for selection are only those that:

Include the load's destination group in it's shipping route.
Have the firm that the load is shipping to included in the shipping route destination, if the load is not bound for the jobsite.
Are currently located where the load is shipping from.
When the selected load # is changed the list of available material will refresh if the selected load has a different destination group or shipped from/to locations as the previously selected load.

The section below the Not Included grid has inputs to allow the user to key in the details of the items to add. Pressing enter/tab through these fields goes to the add (>) button after the quantity input so they can quickly be entered from a list.

To add a partial quantity of an item to the load select the item in the Not Included grid, change the value in the Quantity input below to the desired quantity to add, and click the add (>) button.
The Mark field will be highlighted in yellow if the part has any unresolved inspection failures against it. These parts can only be added to the load if the user has the PDC Load Tracking > Insert - w/ Inspection Failures permission.
The Mark field will be highlighted in red if it is currently on hold.
The To Add and New Total weights below the Load # and Date Loaded fields will updated based on the items moved over to the included side.
If the 'Load on Assign' box is unchecked then the selected items will be assigned to the load but not yet marked as loaded. That would need to be performed as a separate step on the load details screen.
The Inspection button opens the inspection test record screen filtered on the current job and the main mark of the currently selected item.
The Add Material button adds the items and quantities that have been moved to the Included side to the selected load.

While in the ‘Loads – Add Material window, use these methods to add items to the ‘Included’ side of the window;

a) Double click an item, moving it to the ‘Included’ side of the window.

b) Click to highlight an item in the ‘Not Included’ side of the window, click the right pointing single arrow moving it to the ‘Included’ side.

c) Click the first item of a group, hold down the ‘Shift’ key, click on the last group item highlighting all, and then click the single right pointing arrow to move this group to the ‘Included’ side of the window.

d) Hold down the ‘Ctrl’ key, click on individual items, and then click the single right pointing arrow to move them all to the included side of the window.

As items are loaded, the calculated weight will show to the right of the ‘To Add’ and ‘New Total’ at the bottom right of the window.

Main Mark – Click the down pointing arrow to the right of the field to select a Main Mark
Piece Mark - Click the down pointing arrow to the right of the field to select a Main Mark
Sequence – Use ‘Sequence’ to filter for a specific sequence. Click the down pointing arrow to the right of the field to select a sequence, filtering then for those items in the ‘Not Included’ List for selection.
Lot # - Use ‘Lot #’ to filter for a specific Lot #. Click the down pointing arrow to the right of the field to select a Lot #, filtering then for those items in the ‘Not Included’ list for selection.
Quantity – Change the quantity in this field as needed. The quantity entered in this field will be loaded, remaining items will be available for a different load
Load Number – Click the down pointing arrow to the right of the field to view and select a different load
Date Loaded - Click the down pointing arrow to the right of the field to show the calendar, click to select a different date
Inspection – Click the ‘Inspection’ button to open the ‘Test Records’ window allowing users to run tests for items to be loaded.
Add Material – Click the ‘Add Material’ button, returning to the ‘Load Details’ window.
Load on Assign – Click to place a checkmark in the box for ‘Load on Assign’ when the list is being made reflects items which are already loaded, automatically entering the date

Load Details – Not Shipped

Top Tabs – After a load has been added and materials have been loaded, new Top Tabs appear in the Load Details – Not Shipped window:

Details – View the current detail information for the load
Top Text – Opens the window in which any data may be entered (delivery instructions, delivery contact, etc.)
Material – Opens the window which lists all of the items assigned to the load with the quantity and weight
Loaded – Opens the window which lists all of the loaded items, with the date it was loaded together with the quantity and weight
Additional – Opens the window in which items without piece marks may be added to the load
Ship – Click the ‘Ship’ button, opening the ‘Load Details’ window.

Un-Ship – Click the button for ‘Un-Ship’ to un – ship the load, allowing for load changes as needed
Date Shipped – Click the down pointing arrow to the right of the field to select a different date
Date Received – Click the down pointing arrow to the right of the field to select a date received
Shipping Ticket – Click the button for ‘Shipping Ticket’ to open the ‘Reports Selection’ window
New – Click the ‘New’ button to enter a new load
Save – Click the ‘Save’ button to save the load data
Delete – Click the ‘Delete’ button to delete the load

Opened by clicking the New Load (opened in insert mode) or Load Properties (opened in edit mode) buttons or by double-clicking the grid on the loads or material loaded screens.

Details Tab

Has the primary inputs for the load.

From - The location that the load is being shipped from. The first option is Shop, the drop-down also includes all of the firms associated with the shipping routes in the job. If the selected firm has more than one shipping address then an address input will appear below this input to select the address that the load is shipping from.
Destination Group - The destination group identifying the work to be performed or purpose of the load. Populated with all of the destination groups in the shipping routes in the job.
To - The firm that the load is being shipped to. This input is hidden if Jobsite is selected for the destination group. If the selected firm has more than one shipping address then an address input will appear below this input to select the address that the load is shipping to.
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To Be Returned - Indicates if the material shipped on this load is expected to be returned to the shop prior to any further shipping. This input is hidden if Jobsite is selected for the destination group. This field is merely a hint used for reporting purposes. Material on the load can be returned to the shop or added on a load shipping from this location regardless.
Skip Jobsite Shipping - In FabSuite 16.0 and earlier if a load shipped to an intermediate destination and set to not be returned then the jobsite shipping was considered to be completed as well. The step from that intermediate location to the jobsite was not tracked separately. As of FabSuite 16.1 a load must now be created from the intermediate destination to the jobsite, tracking that step explicitly. Loads shipped to an intermediate destination and set to not be returned that were created prior to 16.1 are flagged internally as not requiring jobsite shipping to maintain that backwards compatibility. In that case the text 'Skip Jobsite Shipping' will appear to the right of the To Be Returned input.
Ship Button - Visible when the screen is open in edit mode and the load has not yet shipped. When clicked a date input will appear to enter the date the load shipped.
Un-Ship Button - Visible when the load has already shipped. A load cannot be un-shipped if material has been returned, it must first be un-returned in order to un-ship the load.
Date Shipped - Visible when the load has already shipped, allows for changing the date shipped.
Date Received - The date the load was confirmed received at it's destination. Visible when the load has already shipped.
Date Ready - Visible when the load has shipped to an intermediate destination, indicates the date that the material is ready to be either returned to the shop or added on a load bound for the next destination in it's shipping route.
Shipping Ticket Button - Visible when the load has already shipped, opens the shipping ticket report selection screen.

When the load has not yet shipped an Add Material button is available on the bottom of the Totals section on the right. This opens the add material screen to add items to the load.

Top Text Tab

Text that will appear on the top of the shipping ticket reports.

Material Tab

Shows the material assigned to the load. This tab is hidden when the screen is opened in insert mode.

Add - opens the add material screen to add items to the load. Only available when the load has not yet shipped.
Remove - Removes the selected items from the load. If a single item is selected then a quantity input will appear to enter the quantity to remove. Only available when the load has not yet shipped.
Load - Loads the selected items. If a single item is selected then a quantity input will appear to enter the quantity to load. This is a necessary step when the Load on Assign box is unchecked on the add material screen. Only available when the load has not yet shipped.
Return - Returns the selected items. If a single item is selected then a quantity input will appear to enter the quantity to return. Only available when the load has shipped.

Loaded Tab

Shows the material that has been loaded. This tab is hidden when the screen is opened in insert mode.

Unload - Unloads the selected items. If a single item is selected then a quantity input will appear to enter the quantity to unload. Only available when the load has not yet shipped.

Returned Tab

Shows the material that has been returned to the shop. This tab is only shown when the load is sent to an intermediate destination and has already shipped.

Un-return - Unreturns the selected items. If a single item is selected then a quantity input will appear to enter the quantity to unload.

Additional Tab

Shows additional items (not on the bill of materials) that have been added to the load. Click the Additional on Load button to open up the details screen and, if the load has not yet shipped, add, edit, or delete those records.

Loads

Opened from the main production control screen with the Production Control > Load Tracking menu option. Can also be opened by clicking the Loads: button on the bottom-right of that screen, which also sets a Main Mark filter to the value of the selected item.

Menu Options

Find Load (Ctrl+F) - Enter the load # to find it quickly in the grid.
Shipping Ticket - Opens the shipping ticket report selection screen for the selected load. Disabled if the selected load has not been shipped.

Buttons

Filter - Allows the list of loads to be filtered based on any details of the loads or the parts on them. If any filters are set on properties of the parts then a Show Empty Loads checkbox will appear below the Filter button. If checked then empty loads will also be shown.

New Load - Opens the load details screen in insert mode.
Load Properties - Opens the load details screen in edit mode for the selected load.
Delete Load - Deletes the selected load. Disabled if the selected load has been shipped.
Add Material - Opens the add material screen to add additional items to the load.
View Material - Opens the material loaded screen to see a list of the items on the loads.
Current Locations - Open the material location screen to see the shipping status (current location and next destination) of the items.

The Date Shipped field is highlighted in yellow in the grid if the load has not yet been shipped. The Capacity and Assigned Weight fields are highlighted in red if the load is over capacity.

Double-click a load in the grid to open the load details screen.

Material Loaded

Shows a list of material that has been added to a load. The screen can be opened by clicking the View Material button on the loads screen.

Buttons

Filter - Allows the list of items to be filtered based on any details of the loads or the parts.
New Load - Opens the load details screen in insert mode.
Load Properties - Opens the load details screen in update mode for the load that the selected item is on.
Add Material - Opens the add material screen to load additional items.
Remove Material - Removes the selected item(s) from the load. Disabled if the load has been shipped.
Current Locations - Opens the material location screen to show the shipping status (current location and next destination).

The Date Shipped field is highlighted in yellow in the grid if the load has not yet been shipped.

Double-click an item in the grid to open the load details screen for that load.

Material Locations

Opened by clicking the Current Locations button on the loads or material loaded screens.

Filter - Allows the list of items to be filtered based on any details of the parts.
Shows the current location of the material that has been shipped including the:
Pos - position of the destination in the shipping route. Blank if the destination is no longer in the part's shipping route.
Location - The name of the firm that the material is currently located at. Shop if the material has been returned to the shop. Jobsite if the material has been shipped to the jobsite.
Last Completed - The name of the last completed destination group.
Next Destination Group - The name of the next destination group in the shipping route. Blank if the last destination has been completed or if the destination is no longer in the part's shipping route.
Qty - Quantity at that location. If the quantity is negative that means that the shipping information has been changed after the material proceeded to the next destination and there is a break in the chain. For example, let's say a part goes to a subcontractor, is returned to the shop, and is then shipped from the shop to the jobsite. Then later the item on the load to the subcontractor is un-returned. This screen will show as a quantity of 1 at the subcontractor and -1 at the shop, since now one more has been shipped from the shop to the jobsite than has been returned to the shop. If the quantity is negative then it will be highlighted in red.
Weight - Weight at that location.