Beta packing and printing Android app
This version is currently available as a Beta release via the Google Play Store. To access it, you need to be enrolled in our beta program. If you'd like to participate, contact us using our Support portal to request access.
Packing in the Android Operations app starts from the pack job overview. The overview lists pack jobs and supports sorting by target time.
Pack jobs can be filtered by status. By default, only open, paused, and in-progress pack jobs are displayed. Completed pack jobs can be included by adjusting the filter.
The overview also provides a search function. Pack jobs can be searched by tenant order ID and customer.
Packing begins when a pack job is opened. From this point, the user enters the packing flow and works within the selected pack job until all items are packed and the job is completed.
For general information about packing and pack jobs, refer to the packing documentation. To learn how to create and manage pack jobs via the API, see the Developer Docs.
Preparation
After a pack job is opened, the app might display preparatory steps, depending on the configuration. These steps provide context for packing before items are assigned to a parcel.
Preparation can include optional guidance, such as information about previously used containers or locations. This supports orientation, especially if items were prepared in earlier process steps.
If more than one parcel type is available, the user selects the appropriate type during preparation. If only one parcel type exists, it is applied automatically. At least one parcel type must be configured. Otherwise, packing can't be started.
The preparation step also provides a read-only overview of all items in the pack job. This overview serves as a reference list and does not require user interaction.
Parcel types used during packing are based on operative container types with allowedOperativeTypes set to PACKING_TARGET or PACKING_SOURCE. They define the characteristics of a container that can be reused across multiple processes. For more information, see Operative container types article.
Packing
Packing items into a parcel
Packing is performed sequentially, with items assigned to one parcel at a time. If multiple parcels are required, the current parcel must be completed before packing can continue with the next one.
Items are assigned to a parcel either by scanning or by manual selection.
If additional context is required during packing, such as order-related information, it can be accessed via the options menu.
Completing a parcel transitions the user directly to the next steps in the flow, including requesting the shipping label and printing required documents.
Requesting a shipping label
After a parcel is completed, a shipping label request is triggered automatically.
Additional information may be required before the label can be requested. This information can be defined by the carrier configuration or by the Carrier Country Service Mapping (CCSM) and can apply to the parcel or to individual items.
If information is already available, it is prefilled. Missing information must be provided before the process can continue. Carrier services (for example, pickup time or signature on delivery) are requested only if they are defined in the CCSM.
If the label request is successful, the label is available for the next steps. If no additional information is required, this step is skipped.
Printing documents
The printing step is part of the packing flow for the current parcel and is shown after the label request has been triggered.
Depending on the configuration, different documents can be available for printing:
Shipping label
Return label
Slipping note
Return note
Customs document
Additional external documents
The shipping label (send label) is mandatory for handing over the parcel to the carrier. If it is the only required document, the user must wait until it is available. If other documents are available, they can be selected and printed while the shipping label is still pending.
Users can select a single document or multiple documents in bulk. Printing is possible as soon as at least one document is selected.
If a specific printer (for example, a label printer) is configured, available printers are displayed for selection. The Android system print dialog is always available and allows printing via Wi-Fi or network printers configured on the device.
Completing packing
A pack job can only be completed once all items have been packed and assigned to a parcel. Until then, the finish action remains inactive.
After completion, the user is redirected to the pack job overview, where they can start the next pack job.
Special cases
Repacking items
Repacking is possible only if not all items in the pack job are packed, and it applies only to an existing parcel.
Users can add items to the parcel or exchange items by removing existing ones while adding new ones. Removing items without adding new ones is not supported.
If a shipping label already exists for the parcel, the user is informed that the label becomes invalid and must be disposed of.
As part of repacking, the existing parcel is discarded, and a new parcel is created with the updated item composition. Depending on the configuration, a new label request may be triggered, and additional shipping information may be required again.
Deleting a parcel
A parcel can be deleted at any time during packing after the first parcel has been created.
Deleting a parcel is especially useful when items are already packed into one or multiple parcels, and a parcel needs to be modified, for example, due to rearrangement, weight, or cost considerations.
If a shipping label already exists, the user is informed that the label becomes invalid and must be disposed of. No new label is created as part of this action.
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