The Container feature was launched with Scan App version 4.3.0 and got some new features in version 4.8.0. It allows you to give a group of shipments the same status event using Scan App.

Topics in this article:

• Enabling Container in Action Center
• Adding shipments to a container in Scan App
• Assigning and delivering content in a container
• Containers in Consignor Portal
• The concept behind the Container feature
• FAQ about the Container feature 

Enabling the Container feature in Action Center

1. Log in to Consignor Portal and go to Scan App > Settings > Scan App Events.
   
   
2. Click the edit icon  next to an event to open Event settings.
   
   
3. Click Advanced to open extra options.
   
   
4. Check the box next to Container Id required and click Save.
   
   
   
   
5. You're now ready to start using Containers in Scan App

Adding shipments to a Container in Scan App

Follow the steps below to add a shipment to a container in Scan App. The container can be an ordinary shipment in Consignor which can be pre-printed or you can create a virtual one with a name you choose. It will be the "parent shipment" while all the shipments added to this will act as "children".

1. Tap EVENTS and choose an event from the list of possible events, e.g. Loaded on truck
   
   
2. Scan one or more barcodes that you want to add to a container ("parent shipment"). 
   
   
   
   
3. Tap COMPLETE. Scan App will now validate if this event has the property Container required.
   
   
4. If a Container is required, a new screen allows the agent to add a container. Choose the tab Container Id if you want to use a shipment ID previously created in Consignor as the "parent shipment". Only one container ID can be scanned.
   
   
   
   
5. Choose the tab Container Name if you don't want to use a shipment as a container but want to choose a name for the container instead.
   
   
   
   
6. Tap the name field to open the list of available Containers.
   
   
   
   
7. If there are no available containers or if you want to create a new container, tap the New container button. 
   
   
8. Enter a name for your new container and tap SAVE.
   
   
   
   
9. Your new container should now be available on the list. Tap the edit  icon if you want to edit or delete a container. 
   
   
10. Select the container you want to use in the list and tap COMPLETE. You can select Remember selection if you want to use the same container for the next scan.
    
    
    
    

Assigning and delivering content in a container

After shipments have been added to a container you can see it in the Containers screen.

1. Open the Containers screen by tapping the menu  icon in the top left corner.
   
   
2. Choose the CONTAINERS section.
   
   
   
   
3. Tab the All Available tab to see the complete list of containers with shipments created for your current Action Center.
   
   
   
   
4. Tap a container that is not assigned to any agents. This will make the ASSIGN TO ME button active and you can tap it and assign the container to yourself. Tap Continue to proceed.
   
   
   
   
5. You will be redirected to the Assigned to me tab where the assigned container will be displayed. Tap on the arrow next to the container to navigate to the content of the container.
   
   
   
   
6. Add an event to a shipment in the container by tapping on the shipment to select it and then tap the + icon. 
   
   
   
   
7. The selected barcode will now appear in the main screen. Select the desired event and tap COMPLETE.
   
    

Containers in Consignor Portal

1. When you have added a shipment to a container, you will be able to see the container ID or name on the connected shipments ("children") in Consignor Portal.
   
   
   
   
2. If you want to add more shipments to a container at a later point in time, simply go through the steps described above in Adding shipments to a container in Scan App.
   
   
3. When you add a new event to the container ( "parent shipment"), all "child shipments" will automatically inherit this event.

The concept behind the Container feature

Parcels/goods are often shipped together. They can be put on a pallet or in a cage and be put on a truck together with other pallets. If the truck is delayed, all parcels on that container will be delayed. 

With the Container feature in Scan App, you can make a grouping called a "container" which contains many shipments. It can be virtual (logic grouping) or a physical item like a pallet. The container is an ordinary shipment in Consignor that acts as the "parent" shipment while all the shipments added to it will act as "children".

There can be several levels of containers, e.g. a parcel is placed in a box (container), the box is placed in a cage (container) and the cage is placed on a truck (container). Events can be added on all levels.

When you add an event to the container ("parent shipment"), all "child shipments" will automatically inherit the same event.

When searching for a single shipment in Consignor Portal, you will see which container ("parent shipment") it is connected to. It gives you a better overview of the location of your parcels. Instead of scanning the actual shipments on a truck, the agent can find the correct item in Scan App and add the correct event. 

FAQ

Where do I create a container?

The container can be an ordinary shipment pre-printed in Consignor. You can also create a named container within Scan App.

How do I add a shipment (child) to a container (parent)?

This is done with Scan App. A new property can be set on events – “Container ID required”. When you choose event with this setting, you can choose which container to connect to. This is done after pressing Complete in Scan App.

When/how is the shipment removed from the container?

If you add an event to a shipment within a container (ex. Delivered) it loses the connection to the container.

When searching for a single order/shipment, can I see which container it belongs to?

Yes. If the shipment is connected to a container, you will see this in shipment viewer.

Is it only Scan App that can add events to a container?

No, you can add events in Consignor Portal manually or get return data from carrier with container ID as the key. This status will be inherited by all the connected shipments ("children").

Why do I need to assign a named container to myself?

You need to assign the named container to you so that you take ownership of it. By doing so:

• You can send events for the named container.
• You can inspect and see the shipments inside the named container.
• You can inspect the named container and you can send events for the individual shipments i.e. you can deliver them separately if you need to.
• Other agents will not be able to do all the above unless they assign that container to themselves.
• Once the named container is assigned to you, other agents / warehouse agents cannot put / remove shipments from your container. It is only you who can do this.

Can another agent take my assigned name container from me?

Yes, this is possible, and he will get a warning message when doing so. This is necessary in order to:

• Prevent locking down a container for an agent.
• Be able to hand over the container to another agent in case of accident or any other type of events.

Who can see my container with a given name?

All agents invited to the same Action Center as yours, will see the named container you created.

Can I create a named container from my Action Center?

No, today it is not possible to do this. You must use ScanApp to do this.