You can create a packaging hierarchy to define the various pack configurations in which you can package a base item. For example, you sell flash memory sticks (the base item, VI11416) in packs of 3 at retail stores, but ship 20 of the 3-packs in a case to the store. The packaging hierarchy looks like this:

• Case: Item = Case1_VI11416

  • Pack or Inner Pack: Item = Pack1_VI11416, Quantity = 20 Each

    • Base Unit or Each: Item = VI11416, Quantity = 3 Each

A packaging hierarchy can have any number of levels. The pack type defines each level in a hierarchy. The pack types used in the above example are Case, Pack or Inner Pack, and Base Unit or Each. The pack type of any item above the base unit or each level is stored as the pack item's primary attribute Trade Item Unit Descriptor (TIUD). The base item defines the lowest level in a packaging hierarchy. A base item can belong to multiple pack hierarchies.

The following pack type validations apply:

   To create a packaging hierarchy:

1. Locate the item for which you want to create a packaging hierarchy.

2. On the item's Overview page, click the Configuration tab, then the Packs subtab.

3. Click Create.

   Alternatively, you can select Create Pack Hierarchy from the Actions drop down list in the item's Overview page.

4. In the Create/Update Pack page, Select Pack Type field, select the appropriate pack type to either add (if the pack item exists) or create above or below the selected pack type listed below in the table. Click Go.

   If you selected a pack type to create, follow the instructions at Creating New Items to create the new pack item.

   If you selected a pack type to add, find the existing pack item you want and select it.

   Caution: You cannot add or create more than one pack item of the same pack type below another pack item. In other words, you cannot create a multi-level, heterogeneous pack using a top down approach. Instead, use a bottom up approach by selecting either the Create Above or Add Above option. Here is an example of a multi-level, heterogenous pack:

   • Pallet

     • Case

       • Multipack 1 (Pack)

         • Base Item 1 (Each)

         • Base Item 2 (Each)

       • Multipack 2 (Pack)

         • Base Item 1 (Each)

         • Base Item 2 (Each)

   Using the top down approach, you can add/create Multipack 1, but you cannot add/create Multipack 2 unless you use the bottom up approach.

5. In the Add Next Level to Packaging Structure page, specify the quantity of the pack item to put into the above pack item level.

   For example, when adding a pack or inner pack below a multipack, specify that 3 packs or inner packs go into the multipack.

   Click Apply.

6. In the Create/Update Pack page, you have another opportunity make changes to the packing quantities if needed. Click Apply to see if your changes generate any errors or warnings, then click Save.

   To update a packaging hierarchy:

1. Locate an item contained in the packaging hierarchy which you want to update.

2. On the item's Overview page, click the Configuration tab, then the Packs subtab.

3. In the Pack Hierarchy page, in the first table, select the pack type that you want to update, then click Update.

4. In the Create/Update Pack page, use the expand/collapse icons or links to view certain items in the hierarchy.

5. To delete items from the packaging hierarchy, in the Remove column, click the Remove icon for the item row that you want to remove.

   If you remove an upper level pack item, all lower level items contained within it are also removed.

6. To update packing quantities, change them in the quantity column.

7. To add or create a pack type level, follow the same steps as those listed in "To create a packaging hierarchy:" above.

   Additional Information: If the pack level selected is already attached to a pack level of the same type that you want to add or create, you must add the new pack items using the Add Above option, not the Add Below option.

   To export a packaging hierarchy:

1. In the Pack Hierarchy page, select the pack that you want to export, then click Export.

   You can update the packaging hierarchy similarly to how you update existing items using a spreadsheet. See: Updating Existing Items Using A Spreadsheet

   To assign packs to organizations:

You can assign a pack hierarchy to multiple organizations at once from either the item workbench Configuration tab, Packs subtab (see: "To assign a pack to an organization:" in Enabling Organization Assignments) or from the mass change menu option "Assign Items to Organizations" (see: "To mass assign items to organizations:" in Mass Updating Items, Item Categories and Item Associations).