RedPrairie WM New Features (Functional)

In this blog I will some of the new features from a functional perspective that I like. This is by no means a complete list and if I am wrong on exact version, please let me know.

1. Allocation Rules on sales order and work order
2011
This is by far the best feature that RedPrairie has incorporated over the last few releases. Previous RP had fields like "lotnum", "revlvl", etc. on ord_line. Now that is replaced by a rule which is an expression. So you can put a complete expression like "lotnum in this list and lotnum not in this list" etc. You can combine it with any other inventory attribute.
They have a concept of "simple rules" and "complex rules". Simple rules are where you simply have an "and" condition for various fields like "lotnum = X and orgcod = Y". This is a direct replacement for old functionality - but what is really interesting is the complex conditions. In complex conditions you can use parenthesis and mix ors and ands.
As of 2012.1, one feature that is still missing is controlling the order in which allocation considers all inventory satisfied by the rule, e.g. if your rule is "orgcod in india/china/us" but you want to sort by US first - at this time that is not possible without a small customization.
This could definitely obsolete some of the complicated mods that you may have For many this alone may be a good reason to upgrade.
2. Several custom fields on inventory tables
2011
Some folks incorrectly consider it as a replacement for RedPrairie custom field concept - it is not that. There are several field on invdtl table and along with them there are fields on prtmst. Idea is that if you want to track more than the typical lotnum,orgcod,revlvl,invsts for inventory you have a lot of options.
At prtmst level you give description of every one of these fields and indicate if it is required or not for inventory. Then the attribute is tracked for inventory. This coupled with the Allocation Rules enhancement described above provides a lot of flexibility in terms of allocations.
This will most likely be used heavily. Almost all ERPs send information like plant code etc. which till now was either not stored in invdtl or was put in fields like revlvl. Now you have a meaningful place for this data.
3. Allocate by asset type
2011
You can create an order for a certain asset type.
4. Trailer Loading is a true movement
2011
Previously trailer loading was a single move so it did not capture the LM data properly. Now it is a true movement where you can stack pallets on your gun and then deposit to the trailer.
5. Various Pick Enhancements
2012

• Users can sign on to multiple list picks at the same time.
• Cartonized picks can be part of the list
• You can suspend a list pick and then resume it later
• You can end a list pick in the middle - a new list pick will be generated for the rest
• Resize a carton during cartonized picking. While picking say Pick Exception, then enter the exception. It will recartonize and give you new pick.
6. Cycle Counting Optimization
2012
In previous versions, if you have partial cases then in summary count you will have to count in eaches. Now you can say 10 Full + some eaches.
In detail count, old versions reqired you to specify quantities in eaches, now you can use higher level UOMs.
7. Box in Box (cartonize cases)
2008
Earlier versions allowed each picks to be cartonized, now you can cartonize case picks as well. So a large case will have smaller cases.
8. Follow the leader while staging
2009
When you are putting inventory in the staging, if the staging location becomes full, you can simply override to another staging location. Remaining picks will be changed to go to the new staging location.
Flags on aremst are used to set up this functionality.
9. Pick UOM selection while setting up allocation search path
2009
You will allocate each picks from a location but you can force that person picks Inner Packs before eaches.

Also see RedPrairie Technical Enhancements