Understanding Tote Based Processing

Why use Tote Based Processing?

This workflow is designed to make moving large numbers of items faster and more secure. It solves the problem of tracking loose, individual items during transit by grouping them into a single digital container.

• Batch Efficiency: If a customer drops off 12 handbags, you don't need to scan 12 individual tags every time the driver moves them. You simply scan the one Tote QR code, and the system updates the location of all 12 bags instantly.
• Loss Prevention (Home Pickup): When a driver collects unlabelled items (like laundry or bags) from a home, there is a risk of mixing them up. By placing them immediately into a tracked Tote at the doorstep and scanning the Tote, you ensure that specific bundle is secured and tracked until it reaches the factory.
• Chain of Custody: It creates a digital container that proves exactly which items were moved, when, and inside which bag.

Which App should use Tote Pages?

Since Totes move across your entire operation, you should add these pages to the specific apps that handle inventory transfer. Below is how each role utilizes the pages to solve specific operational challenges:

1. Driver App

Drivers visiting multiple homes often collect unlabelled items (like laundry bags). Tossing loose items from 5 different houses into one van creates a high risk of mix-ups.

• Tote Usage:
  • Fill Tote: Used during home pickups to pack unlabelled items into a tracked bag.
  • Tote List: Acts as a Load Checklist. Drivers view this to ensure every bag collected is still in the vehicle before driving off.
  • Open Tote: Used to verify customer details on a sealed bag without needing to physically open it.

2. Store Counter Staff App

Staff often struggle to organize hundreds of dirty items for the logistics truck. Handing over loose garments increases the risk of items being dropped or left behind. Additionally, verifying returning clean items one by one is slow.

• Tote Usage:
  • Fill Tote: Used to organize items efficiently. Packing a customer's entire order into one specific tote prevents items from getting separated.
  • Tote List: Used to track active totes sitting in the store waiting for the logistics truck.
  • Open Tote: Used to receive clean items returning from the factory. Staff compare the digital list against the actual items to ensure nothing is missing before releasing them into inventory.

3. Service Center Worker App

Factory receiving docks face bottlenecks when hundreds of items arrive at once. Scanning every single shirt or handbag individually to mark them as "Arrived" is too time-consuming.

• Tote Usage:
  • Open Tote: Used to receive incoming items. Workers scan the Tote to view the expected contents, verify that every item is physically present, and mark them as "Received" in a single step.
  • Tote List: Used to search for specific bags within the facility or monitor the total volume of totes currently at the plant.

How to Configure Tote Pages

These pages are not enabled by default. You must add them manually to your app.

1. Go to App Pages.
2. Click + Add New Page.
3. Scroll down to the Logistic Pages section.
4. Here you will find the three core pages: Fill Tote, Open Tote, and Tote List.

Below is the configuration guide for each page type.

Fill Tote (Source)

Page Type: Fill Tote

This page is used at the starting point (e.g., by the Driver at a doorstep or Staff at a counter). It allows the user to scan a Tote QR code and then "fill" it with items.

Key Configuration Options:

• Tote & Items Lookup Options: Choose how users find the tote. You can enable Camera Scanner (for QR codes), NFC Detection, or a Search Box.
• Transfer Target: Select what type of item is being put into the bag.
  • Sales Order: For general order tracking.
  • Work Order: Select this for detailed item tracking.
• Fill Tote Location: Select the specific store or location where this packing happens.
• Enable Tote Release: Toggle this ON if you want to allow users to remove items from the tote on this same page (useful for correcting mistakes).

Open Tote (Destination)

Page Type: Open Tote

This page is used at the destination (e.g., the Factory). Workers scan the Tote to see what is inside, verify the contents, and empty it.

Key Configuration Options:

• Cover Photo Size: Choose if you want to display item photos to visually verify contents.
• Work Order Detail: Use @ placeholders to display specific details (e.g., Brand, Color, Service Type) to help the worker check the items.
• Enable Tote Release: Toggle this ON if this page is used to "empty" the bag. When processed, items will be released from the Tote and marked as received at the factory.

Tote List (Overview)

Page Type: Tote List

This page gives an overview of all active Totes in the system. It is useful for managers or drivers to see how many bags are currently in transit or sitting at a specific location.

Key Configuration Options:

• Tote Lookup Options: Enable different ways to search for a tote (Search Box, Camera Scanner, or NFC).
• List Tote at Location: Filter the list to show only totes currently located at a specific Store or Business Unit.
• Open Tote Link to Page: Typically linked to the Open Tote page described above. When a user clicks on a tote in this list, it will take them to the details page to view its contents.