A groundbreaking enhancement to the WMS has been announced, introducing forward video-capturing capabilities. This update revolutionizes the management and processing of forward packaging in response to market needs and requirements from leading marketplaces such as Amazon, Myntra, Ajio, and Nykaa.
Why This Update Matters?
The e-commerce landscape now requires transparency and accountability in the order fulfillment process, with major marketplaces implementing policy updates that mandate the submission of forward packaging footage for SPF claims. This new policy aims to enable all stakeholders to confidently verify the integrity of the packaging process, establishing forward video capturing as an essential tool for operations.
By introducing forward video capturing into our WMS, we're not just meeting marketplace requirements; we're setting a new standard for transparency and efficiency in warehouse management. Welcome to the future of WMS, where every package is packed with confidence.
Highlights
Optimized Packing Process with Video Support: The Piece-Packing Screen has been updated to support the new video capture feature, intelligently managing the recording process based on the packing scenario and ensuring that video capture aligns perfectly with operational workflows.
Streamlined Media Management: We've refined the video file naming conventions and storage processes for both return and forward order processing, incorporating video size and duration for comprehensive tracking. The forward order videos are now meticulously named and stored, facilitating easier retrieval and management.
Audits: Audit logs are maintained at the warehouse level for enabling/disabling this configuration at the backend, later we can plan to make it accessible to admin users.
Prerequisites and Configurations
NAS devices should be installed in the warehouse’s local network.
Setting up NAS Hardware
Forward Video Capturing Configuration
Operational Scenarios Addressed
We've tailored the video-capturing process to accommodate various packing situations, from single-package without split-piece-packing to multi-pack boxes with split-piece-packing. Each scenario is designed to ensure that video capturing is seamlessly integrated into the packing process, enhancing compliance without compromising efficiency.
Video Capturing during Forward Order Processing
Piece-Packing Screen
During Piece packing, WMS fetches NAS configuration for forward order processing and logs in to NAS at the backend.
As soon as the user scans the item ID for piece packing (or Outward Box ID in case of split-piece packing), the system checks for video capture configuration at the channel level.
If video capture for forward order is set as false by the user, the system continues with normal packing flow without recording the video.
Else, the videos will be recorded as mentioned below for following cases:
With normal Piece Packing
Single Pack Box
For each order, a video will be stored in NAS for complete processing commencing from scanning of first item and completion of packing process.The video recording will commence upon scanning the first item IDs. After scanning and quality checking all the items, the video is temporarily saved in the database when the "Complete Packing" button is clicked.
Upon clicking "Print invoice & shipping label," the video will be captured and stored once again temporarily.
Following AWB scan after invoicing, the final video from item scanning until AWB scan will be transmitted to NAS device. However, if Skip AWB scan configuration is enabled, the final video will be sent to NAS only upon generation of shipping label and invoice.
Multi-Pack Box
The video recording will commence upon scanning the first item IDs. Following the scanning and quality check of all items within a pack box, when the user selects 'close box', we store the video up to that point in the database. (Video transmission to NAS will not occur instantly; it will only happen if the screen is refreshed or another issue arises. The video will be saved to the database until that point before being sent).
Likewise, as each pack box is closed, its respective video will be saved. In case, of disturbance, the video will be transmitted to NAS.
In the case of the last pack box, the recorded video will encompass complete packing, invoice, and shipping label generation, as well as an AWB confirmation scan.
Conclusively, there will be only one video created if there is not disturbance in flow. In case there are multiple videos created, the naming of files helps in identification.
With split-piece Packing
Single Pack Box or Multi pack box
The videos will be captured separately based on the action mentioned (scanning Items to Outward Box and Generating invoice/ shipping labels):Scan Item(s) tab: The video recording will commence upon scanning the first item IDs. After scanning and quality-checking all the items when the Create Shipment button is clicked(while generating Outward Box), the video will be saved and sent to NAS device for storage.
For multiple pack-boxes, the video will be stored to NAS for each pack box.Scan Outward Box tab:
The video recording will again commence upon scanning the Box ID. The video is temporarily saved in the database when the "Complete Packing" button is clicked.
Upon clicking "Print invoice & shipping label," the video will be captured and stored once again temporarily.
Following AWB scan after invoicing, the final video from item scanning until AWB scan will be transmitted to NAS device. However, if Skip AWB scan configuration is enabled, the final video will be sent to NAS only upon generation of shipping label and invoice.
In Piece packing, the video is recorded irrespective of the QC status of item being packed.
If the screen is refreshed at any point, the video saved until certain defined points will be sent to NAS for storage. The video will not be saved at every point; however, there are specific points where the video blob will be saved locally. These include clicking on the Close Box, completing packing, removing a box from shipment, creating a shipment, capturing dimensions, generating an invoice and shipping label, scanning an AWB number, and adding an item to a box. This validity applies to other flows as well.
Accessing Videos and View/ Retry pending or Failed Video Uploads
How to Access the Videos?
View & Retry Pending/ Failed Video Uploads to NAS in WMS
File name convention at NAS
File name for forward order videos will have the following pattern:
ChannelOrderCode_ShipmentID_timestamp