Overview
Setting up an accurate model of the flow of goods throughout the supply chain (primary order routes) is how AGR can estimate future stocks and demand as accurately as possible. This approach relies on defining the typical sources of orders in daily operations in the order route setup.
Start by defining the primary source of ordering for a location and add exceptions as needed. Anything defined on this page can be overridden on the item level using item details or bulk update.
However, acknowledging the variability in real-life ordering practices, AGR accommodates the creation of multiple available order routes to ensure flexibility.
Creating an Order Route
Let’s have a look at how it works with an example. In this setup, there are two warehouses and two stores. These locations are created in the previous step.
Start by defining the flow of goods into one location. Here, we start by selecting Warehouse - East.
This location orders most items from the primary vendor so that is set as the default with the top line (Warehouse - East, order from: Vendor).
There are exceptions, which are that DIY/Hardware and Electronic goods are transferred from another warehouse (Warehouse-West). Create an available order route from Warehouse - West → Warehouse - East, to be able to add it in as an exception to the main rule.
This warehouse can also recall stock from a store in London or order from another warehouse, which only rarely happens, so that is not a part of the primary order routes. The store and the warehouse are added in as available order routes with a lead time of 15 days and 3 days, respectively.
Warehouse - East orders all items from the primary vendor, except items that are in Item Group Level 1: DIY/Hardware and Electronic. Warehouse - East orders those items from Warehouse - West
Let’s have a look at how we would define a store that gets most of its stock via transfer from our warehouse.
Select the location from the list of locations on the left (if you cannot find a location in the list, make sure it has been defined in the previous step).
In the top line, select the warehouse as the location ordered from after defining it as an available order route for this location. Some items are ordered directly from their vendors, so that is added in as an exception to the rule.
The image explains how a retail setup can be configured to order most items from a warehouse but some directly from the vendor
How to use
List of locations (left-hand side)
In this section, you'll find a list of AGR locations, which allows you to easily switch between different locations.
These AGR locations are automatically generated from the information provided on the Location ("Define your warehouses and store") page in the Location setup. For each location, you need to set up your primary order route settings.
Primary Order Routes
By default, all AGR locations are set up for purchase orders, meaning that orders are placed with vendors. The lead time for these orders is determined by the purchase lead time.
To switch the primary order route to a transfer order route, follow these steps:
Click on the "Order From" drop-down list.
Select the "Add Order Route" option.
You will be directed to the "Available Order Routes" section.
Add the transfer order route with the correct lead time.
Once you have added the transfer order route, select it from the "Order From" drop-down list to make it the primary order route.
Adding Exception to Primary Order Route
When you want to add an exception to the primary order route, a modal window will appear, offering you a selection of predefined filters. These filters include Vendor, Item Group Level 1, and Item Group Level 2.
The modal window also supports drag-and-drop functionality by hovering over the exceptions line and dragging them, enabling you to prioritize exceptions by arranging them in the desired order. Remember, the exception at the bottom of the list has the highest priority and will be executed last in the sequence.
Available Order Routes
When you enter this section, you'll see a pre-filled line that says "Order from: Vendor" by default. However, you have the flexibility to choose a different AGR location from a dropdown menu.
You might want to set up more than one available transfer routes that are not primary, to be able to occasionally order from this location.
Deleting an available order route will remove all items associated with that route, resetting them to their default settings, which are purchase orders. To ensure you are aware of the effect of deleting an order route, you will get an appropriate warning.
Once you are satisfied with your Order Routes, click Next.
Complete the ERP setup
Now that you have added locations and defined order routes:
Click next to go to the next page - Run the data transfer.
Click on Run the data transfer to complete the setup.
Your changes will be saved once the data transfer is complete and applied in the next data refresh.