Wave Planning: User Guide for Wave Planners

About This Guide

Who This Guide Is For: Wave Planners and Route Supervisors who create waves, build trucks, and manage order allocation.

What You'll Learn:

• How to create and release waves
• How to build trucks and assign stops
• How to manage order allocation
• How to handle exceptions and shorts
• How to close routes

Time to Complete: 60-90 minutes

Quick Start

Your First Wave

1. Log in to Dakota WMS
2. Go to Wave Planning menu
3. Select orders to wave
4. Press F6 to create wave
5. Review allocation results
6. Release wave to floor

Key Concepts

Wave

A wave is a group of orders released together for picking. Good waves:

• Fit carrier pickup windows
• Balance picker workload
• Group similar locations

Truck Build

Truck build assigns orders to trucks and sets delivery sequence. This ensures:

• Trucks are loaded in stop order
• Weight and cube limits met
• Delivery windows honored

Allocation

Allocation assigns inventory to orders. Dakota uses rules to pick the best inventory:

• FIFO (First In, First Out)
• FEFO (First Expired, First Out)
• Location priority

Common Tasks

Task 1: Create a Wave (WF-006)

When to Use: To release orders for picking.

Steps:

1. Open Wave Planning

   • Menu: Wave Planning
   • Screen: Wave Creation

2. Select Orders

   • Filter by ship date, customer, or carrier
   • Check orders to include
   • Review total lines and cube

3. Create Wave

   • Press F6
   • Enter wave description
   • System allocates inventory

4. Review Results

   • Check allocation status
   • Note any shorts or issues
   • Review pick path

5. Release Wave

   • Press F10 to release
   • Wave sent to pick floor
   • Pickers see their tasks

Tip: Create waves by carrier cutoff time. Start with earliest cutoff.

Task 2: Build Trucks (WF-007)

When to Use: To assign orders to delivery trucks.

Steps:

1. Open Truck Build

   • Menu: Wave Planning
   • Select Truck Build

2. Create Truck

   • Enter truck ID or let system assign
   • Enter driver (optional)
   • Set departure time

3. Add Stops

   • Select orders for this truck
   • System suggests stop sequence
   • Adjust sequence if needed

4. Validate Truck

   • Check total weight
   • Check total cube
   • Verify delivery windows

5. Complete Build

   • Press F3 to save
   • Truck ready for loading

Warning: Weight over limit shows red. Remove orders or split truck.

Task 3: Manage Allocation Exceptions

When to Use: When orders cannot be fully allocated.

Common Exceptions:

Short Inventory:

• System shows quantity short
• Options: Wait for receipt, substitute, backorder

Date Conflict:

• Inventory doesn't meet date requirement
• Options: Override, use different lot, short

Lot Hold:

• Allocated lot is on hold
• Options: Release lot, pick different lot

Steps to Resolve:

1. Open Allocation Inquiry
2. Find problem order
3. View exception reason
4. Take action (substitute, override, short)
5. Re-allocate if needed

Task 4: Close Routes (WF-014)

When to Use: After trucks depart.

Steps:

1. Open Route Closing

   • Menu: Wave Planning
   • Select Route Close

2. Select Route

   • Enter route number
   • Or scan route sheet

3. Verify Shipments

   • Confirm all orders loaded
   • Note any left-behind items

4. Close Route

   • Press F6 to close
   • System updates inventory
   • Creates ship records

5. Handle Exceptions

   • Unloaded items returned to inventory
   • Short shipments flagged

Reference Information

Function Keys

Wave Statuses

Allocation Statuses

Getting Help

• Wave issues: Contact Warehouse Supervisor
• System errors: IT Help Desk, ext. 4357
• Route questions: Transportation Coordinator

Document Information

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