In the Hopstack platform, you can now release inventory for shipment creation directly from the Stock Ledger. This feature simplifies the process of allocating inventory for outgoing shipments, allowing you to efficiently manage their stock and fulfill orders in a timely manner.
Please remember that releasing inventory for shipment creation from the Stock Ledger is a feature available only to users with Admin access in Hopstack. Ensure you are logged in with the appropriate account and have the necessary access before proceeding with the instructions.
Navigate to the Hopstack Platform
After logging in, locate the "Inventory" button in the main navigation menu (on the left side of the screen) and click on it.
Find and click on the "Stock Ledger" option
Select a specific client for whom the inventory is desired to be released
Locate and click on "Release Inventory for Shipment Creation."
1. Selecting the Box Content Source
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Locate the dropdown menu on the platform interface.
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Click on the dropdown menu to expand the options.
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From the available options, you can select one of the following content sources:
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Hopstack
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In this case, Hopstack will become the determiner of box contents. During the packing stage, the system will collect box dimensions and contents information from the associate.
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Once packing is done, we will send this information over to Amazon via the API to fetch the box labels for a particular shipment.
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This option is recommended for most cases.
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Amazon
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In this case, Amazon will become the determiner of box contents. During the packing stage, we will fetch the recommended box configurations sent to us by Amazon.
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We will use these details to become an enforcer of how the box should be packed in accordance with Amazon instructions.
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Once the packing is done, we will fetch the box labels and make it available for application onto the packed boxes.
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Manual
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In this case, Amazon will become the determiner of box contents. Like the previous choice, Hopstack will collect the box dimensions and contents from the associate.
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However, unlike the previous step, we won’t send this information via the API.
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Instead, the merchant will have to manually log into Seller Central, go to the shipment, and update box details manually.
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Once done, Amazon will generate the box labels for the shipment, which can be downloaded and sent to the prep center for applying onto boxes.
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This option is seldom used.
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2. Selecting the Packing Method
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In this section, you will have to specify the packing method.
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Next, indicate if the box is either:
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Case Pack
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Regular Pack
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The difference between these packing methods is mentioned as follows:
|
Aspect |
Case Pack |
Regular Pack |
|---|---|---|
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Packaging Method |
Items are grouped in cases. |
Items are sent individually or in smaller units. |
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Control Over Shipments |
Merchants have more control. |
Amazon determines packaging. |
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Flexibility |
Offers flexibility for merchant preferences depending on chosen case configuration. |
Less packaging flexibility since it is dependent on Amazon’s split of the resultant shipment plans. |
|
Handling Expiry Dates |
Cases contain SKUs with the same condition or expiry date. |
Varies in handling expiry dates. |
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Merchant Involvement |
Requires specifying case configurations and quantities. |
Involves less direct merchant input. |
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Efficiency |
More efficient for specific packaging requirements. |
May require additional steps if Amazon splits shipments. |
3. Toggling the Automatic Retry Upon Failure
If this is toggled on, the platform will now automatically retry the creation of shipment plans in the case of failure from Amazon’s end.
The user will be able to identify the reasons for failures (e.g. HAZMAT products, etc.) and adjust retries.
Users will also be able to set thresholds beyond which retries should not be conducted i.e. if a 10-item shipment plan is supposed to have a threshold of 7 products, then the system will continue to retry shipment plan creation as long as the number of rejected items is greater than the threshold specified (i.e. at least 7 items are released)
4. Selecting the Products
You will find a checkbox column next to each product. Use these checkboxes to selectively include or exclude products for the Shipment Creation process. By ticking or unticking the boxes, you can easily customize the list of products to be released for shipment creation.
If Case Pack is chosen, then you will also have to specify the quantity per case and the number of cases. The total number of products to be sent out will be calculated by the system.
Click "Release" to initiate the inventory release process.
Confirm the action by clicking "Yes, I confirm."
Always ensure you double-check the details, regardless of the method chosen, to ensure accuracy and avoid any complications during shipping or handling. If you encounter any problems, consult the platform's help section or contact customer support.
Tracking Shipment Plan Creation
Click on "Outbound Logistics" to navigate to the corresponding section. Click "Order management" to view the newly created plan.
Click on the very first Order ID.
Click on "Shipment Plan" to view the shipment details of the chosen order.
After verifying the order details and shipment plan click on "OK".
Once you have completed all the steps mentioned above, your inventory will be successfully released for shipment creation, and the updated shipment plan will be visible in the system.