In Oracle Cloud WMS, the Expiry Date Range is a setting that helps manage inventory with expiration dates by ensuring that items are picked and shipped within an acceptable timeframe for the customer.
The Expiry Date Range works by setting a window of
acceptable expiration dates for items being picked for a specific order or
customer. This is typically configured on the Item or Order level
and is defined by two key values:
- Days
Before Expiration (Minimum): This is the minimum number of days an
item must have left before its expiration date to be considered
"good" for shipping to a customer. This prevents shipping items
that are too close to expiring.
- Days
After Expiration (Maximum): This is the maximum number of days
remaining until the expiration date. This setting is used to prevent
shipping items with a very long shelf life to customers who might prefer
products that are closer to their manufacturing date (e.g., in some food
industries).
During the allocation process for a sales order, the system
looks at the expiration dates of the available inventory. It will only consider
allocating inventory where the expiration date falls within the acceptable
range defined by the minimum and maximum days.
For example, if a customer requires products with at least
90 days of shelf life remaining, you would set the "Days Before
Expiration" to 90. The WMS would then ensure that no inventory with less
than 90 days until its expiry date is allocated to that customer's order.
Using the Expiry Date Range feature offers several
significant advantages for warehouse operations:
- Prevents
Shipping Expired or Near-Expired Goods: This is the primary benefit,
as it directly impacts customer satisfaction and reduces the risk of
product returns or complaints.
- Meets
Customer Compliance Requirements: Many retailers, especially in the
food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and electronics industries, have strict
requirements for the remaining shelf life of the products they receive.
The Expiry Date Range feature helps ensure these requirements are met.
- Improves
Inventory Rotation: By using this feature in conjunction with picking
strategies like First-In, First-Out (FIFO) or First-Expired, First-Out
(FEFO), you can ensure that older inventory is used first, minimizing the
risk of products expiring in the warehouse.
- Reduces
Waste and Spoilage: By effectively managing the outbound flow of
expiring inventory, you can significantly reduce the amount of product
that has to be written off due to passing its expiration date.
The Expiry Date Range is a critical tool in
Oracle Cloud WMS for any business that deals with perishable or time-sensitive
goods, enabling better inventory control and higher levels of customer
satisfaction.
Thank You,
Pratip Chatterjee
