Transfers are the most fundamental building blocks in the Qwix WMS. All operations will ultimately rely on or more Transfers of various types at different stages of the workflow. Every movement or change of state that will affect stock is captured and dictated by the rules and structures that govern Transfers.
To understand transfers there are a couple of key concepts and attributes that make up transfers to understand. They are explained in an understandable format on this page.
Transfers typically are made up of individual lines that indicate the granular movement/change of stock items, but they are also grouped together in a header when appropriate.
Transfer Headers group one or more individual Transfer Lines together. This is useful for workflows where it is important that the lines are managed together and the completion of the lines as a group is important for workflow, automation or status.
Lines make up the individual movement or transformation action. For a transfer to make sense and be valid, it requires some attributes. Several key base transfer types define a variation in workflow and attribute criteria.
Transfers are made up of several attributes/values. Depending on the Transfer variant, various combinations of them are required.
This attribute indicates a FROM (source) BIN. The FROM attribute is generally mandatory.
The TO attribute indicated the TO (destination) BIN. The TO attribute is generally mandatory, except for Packing/Palletisation "transfers".
Where the Transfer variant is not a package/pallet transfer the Item attribute indicates a specific item to be transferred. It is also part of a Packing/Palletisation “transfer”.
The Unique identifiable Package/Pallet related to the transfer. This is typically indicated by a Package/Pallet number. This attribute is relevant to package/pallet transfers as well as packing/palletisation instructions
When an Item is a batch-tracked item as configured in the system, the Batch attribute will also be mandatory. The batch number related to the stock item will be indicated by this attribure.
For Items that are enabled for Serial tracking, the serial numbers are attached as additional attributes to a Transfer Line.
Each transfer, except for Package/Pallet transfers will always include a QTY, indicating the Qty. For instructions, a typical transfer will have a Required Qty, and a Completed Qty
Each transfer will be in one of three states:
There are a number of base transfer types that can be utilised as the foundation for the higher-level transfer types as set out in the various Qwix Standard processes. These are the building blocks that are used in standard workflows, as well as custom customer workflows.
A normal Stock Item movement. Used anywhere an individual stock item of a specific qty is moved from one Bin to another.
Minimum Attributes:
This transfer type is used when moving a Package or Pallet from one Bin to another
Minimum Attributes:
This transfer type is used when moving stock items into a Package or Pallet.
Minimum Attributes:
This is technically not a transfer type/variant. In some situations, a Transfer is created to allow the user to execute a task with unknown specific transfer lines. In this case a Transfer Header is created as an instruction, but the Transfer Lines are created following a set of ad-hoc rules. This variation is appropriate for situations like blind receiving, or open ended housekeeping instructions.