This guide provides an overview of the new Batching Rules page, which allows you to define batching logic at the product model level. This centralized approach streamlines the management of production batches, making it easier to apply rules directly to specific product models.
Overview of Changes
In the past, batching rules were set up within individual workflows. Now, you can manage them centrally on the Batching Rules page, allowing for more efficient application to specific product models.
How to Access and Create a Batching Rule
From the main menu, search for and select Batches.
Select Batching Rules to view a list of all existing rules defined at the product model level.
Click Create new batching rule in the top-right corner to start the process.
The system will guide you through the setup process.
Basic Settings
Begin by defining the essential details of your new batching rule.
Product Model: Choose the specific product model for which this rule will apply (e.g., Flat Product).
Name: Assign a descriptive name to your rule.
Description: This optional field allows you to provide additional context.
Release Conditions
Next, establish the criteria for when a batch should be released to production. You can utilize a combination of count-based and/or time-based conditions.
Count-Based Release
This option releases a batch once it reaches a specified number of items.
Order Item Count: Releases the batch when it contains a specific number of individual order items (e.g., 50 separate items).
Quantity: Releases the batch when the total quantity of all items combined reaches a certain number (e.g., a batch of 10 items, each with a quantity of 5, would total 50).
Time-Based Release
This option releases a batch at designated times.
Add a release time: Define release schedules for different days of the week. For instance, you can set a release for midnight on Mondays and Tuesdays, and 6 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Batching Strategy
Select how items will be grouped within the batch.
Standard Batching (Recommended): This strategy groups all items together based on the attributes you define later, without quantity limits. It is the most common and flexible option.
Conditional Batching: This advanced strategy allows you to set specific limits on the number of certain items within a batch (e.g., limiting a batch to a specific number of models). Note: Conditional batching is configured at the workflow level, not on this page.
Batch By & Sorting Criteria
Define the attributes that will determine how items are grouped and sorted within each batch.
Batch By: Select the product attributes to be used for grouping (e.g.,
color type,paper type). All items in a batch will share the same values for these attributes.Note: You can also define additional
Batch byfields based on order context within the workflow itself.
Sorting Criteria: Choose how items within a batch are sorted. For example, sorting by
paper formatin ascending order will place the smallest paper formats at the top of the batch.
Reprint Rules
Determine how reprinted items should be managed.
Add to standard batches: Reprints will be included in regular batches with new order items.
Batch reprints separately: A new, dedicated batch group will be created for reprints. If you select this option, you must define separate release conditions for the reprint batch (e.g., a smaller item count threshold and a more frequent daily release time).
Review and Publish
Before finalizing, you will see a summary of all the settings you have configured. Review your choices, and when ready, you can either Save as a draft to publish later or Publish the rule immediately.
Once published, this new batching rule can be selected at the workflow level, allowing the same rule to be used for multiple workflows under the same product model.