Units of measure in automated order entry

For readers in a hurry:

• Automated conversion of units of measure: Our system enables seamless conversion between different units of measure such as piece, pack or pallet, allowing orders to be recorded and processed accurately.

• The challenge of mixed orders: For orders with different units of measure, our technology ensures smooth conversion to avoid confusion and errors.

• Customized adjustments: The system takes specific customer requirements into account by recognizing individual units of measure and converting them automatically.

In modern logistics and order processing, precise recording and processing of order quantities is crucial. Dealing with different units of measure such as pieces, packs or pallets is often a challenge. Especially when different units of measure are included in an order. In this article, we look at how automated systems can solve this problem and which specific methods are used.

The challenge: Mixed orders

The majority of orders are recorded either entirely in quantities or in packs. In these cases, processing is simple: the orders are processed and dispatched according to the specified unit of measure. However, it becomes problematic when an order contains both units and packs. This can be the case, for example, if a customer orders several items, some of which are listed in quantities and others in packs or other sizes.

Automated conversion of units of measure

We have developed a mechanism that automates the conversion of units of measure. Our system can seamlessly convert from packs to quantities and vice versa or convert to other units of measure.

When converting packs into quantities, our system calculates the corresponding quantity for each item ordered in packs and transfers this seamlessly to order entry. 

For orders that are mainly placed in packs, while a quantity is specified for certain items, the system automatically adjusts and converts the quantities into corresponding packing units. 

In this way, we ensure that all incoming orders are recorded and processed smoothly and uniformly.

Case study: Conversion of packs into quantities

In a typical order, for example, a customer might place the following order:

Exceptions and special cases

However, there are also exceptions where certain product numbers should be excluded from the automatic conversion. To ensure this, these exceptions are managed by our system in a separate look-up table. If the system recognizes such a product number, no conversion is carried out. The order therefore remains in the originally selected unit of measure, be it pack or piece.

Customized adaptations

Another key feature of our automated order entry system is the ability to take customer-specific units into account. Customers often use different terms for units of measure, such as "box", "parcel", "carton", "pallet", etc. Our system recognizes these units and can convert them on the basis of previously defined specifications. In some cases where the unit of measure is not unique, the system searches the product description for keywords to decide whether a conversion is required. 

If the article number is designed in such a way that the article quantity can be derived from it, it is possible for our systems to record this information automatically. The structure of the article number could, for example, be designed in such a way that the quantity information can be found at the end or in another fixed position, such as the digits 5 and 6. Let's assume that the article number "136542025" follows this pattern and the quantity can be derived from the last two digits, then the quantity of the article would be 25.

Conclusion: Flexibility and precision in order entry

Automated order entry offers enormous advantages, especially when handling different units of measure. The implementation of conversion mechanisms, exception rules and customer-specific adjustments ensures that orders can be processed precisely and efficiently. This not only leads to improved customer satisfaction, but also optimizes the company's internal processes.

By using this technology, companies can concentrate on the essentials: delivering their products to the customer on time and without errors. If you would also like to benefit from these advantages and increase the efficiency of your logistics processes, we invite you to a presentation of our automated order entry system. Contact us now!

About Business Automatica GmbH:

Business Automatica reduces process costs by automating manual activities, increases the quality of data exchange in complex system architectures and connects on-premise systems with modern cloud and SaaS architectures. Applied artificial intelligence in the company is an integral part of this. Business Automatica also offers automation solutions from the cloud that are geared towards cyber security.