Configuration
Attributes
Attributes allow users to better define the uniquenesses of a specific product by selecting certain product attributes that are beneficial to the packaging of the product as a single item or as part of a multi-item order.
Product attributes are frequently utilized alongside Cubing or Cartonization software to determine the optimal carton and product placement within the packaging, based on the defined attributes of each product. It is essential to review the capabilities of Cubing applications when identifying the necessary product attributes within PackNet DIM.
The Attributes tab provides a list of generic attributes that can be applied to a product. Custom attributes can also be created when the generic attributes don't adequately define an aspect of the product.
For a description of what each attribute specifies, see Attribute Property Descriptions.
Create a Custom Attribute
Attributes can't be deleted or edited from the PackNet DIM UI once they have been created.
Go to Attributes within the Configuration tab of PackNet DIM.
Select Create Custom Attribute.
Enter the information as needed.
Attribute Name (required): This is the name that identifies the attribute in the products.
Question Format (required): The input method for adding product information. This can be Open ended or Multiple Choice.
Question Text: When Open ended is selected, this text will be the prompt that appears as the user edits or adds a product. This field is optional.
Multiple Choice Label: When Multiple Choice is selected, this text is the label and multiple choice options the user can select while editing or adding a product. The Create Custom Attribute dialog updates when this is selected. All multiple choice fields are required when this options is selected.
Character Limit: The number of characters users can add when entering an Open ended attribute. This field is only available when Question Text is selected.
Select Save when finished. That attribute can now be selected from the list.
After all custom attributes have been created, the arrows across from each attribute can be used to change the order in which attributes are collected in the manual capture flow.
To remove an attribute from the Products page, uncheck the box to the left of that attribute.
Once changes have been made, select Save. A Saved notification will appear to the left of the Save button indicating the change has been put into effect.
Attribute Property Descriptions
The identifiers property must contain the primary ID chosen for the database. In addition, users may supply as many other product identifiers as desired. For example, if a configuration specifies that the SKU is the primary identifier, then the identifiers property must have a SKU property.
Note
This property will not work unless all characters are lower case.
Supported identifier properties:
EAN
GTIN
GTIN_8
GTIN_12
GTIN_13
GTIN_14
ISBN
ISBN_10
ISBN_13
ItemNumber
MPN
SKU
UPC
This property contains the length, width, and height of the product. Dimensions do not have to be from largest to smallest, and they can take any order. The format for each dimension is a number. All units of measurement must be consistent with what is defined in customer settings.
This property is used to give a product a description. The format will be a string. Multiple lines of text can be specified by using /n. All other JSON escape characters are supported.
This property is used to specify the product name. This is a string.
This property specifies how the product must be oriented when shipping. This is important for more delicate products being shipped. This property is a boolean property. When the orientationLocked value is set to "true," the property will be locked on Dimension3, which is typically the height or vertical dimension, to keep the product in a defined position within the carton result.
PackNet Cube uses the orientationLocked field as well.
This is used to specify the quantity of items in a package. This property is useful when multiple products are packaged and sold together. The format for this property is a number. The product dimensions must indicate the total length, width, and height of the overall package, and not the individual items inside.
This property is used to specify a product's weight. The format is a number (floating-point or integer). Units of measurement are not specified. The measurement units are determined by the customer's settings in PackNet. The code below is an example of using the weight property.
These properties indicate whether or not the product has a cavity or empty space that can be utilized when packing with other items. The canContain property is a Boolean and must be true or false. When true, a voidFill property must be specified with length, width, and height. All canContain spaces must be calculated as cuboidal.
For example, imagine a trash can, a large mixing bowl, or an L-shaped bookend. Each of these items has space that they don't use, and another smaller product can be placed inside.
These properties are used to indicate whether multiple quantities of the same item can be stacked together (items like plastic cups or books). The canNest property is a Boolean. If true, a nesting property must be specified with the following sub-properties:
nestGrowthDimension1: The length-increment by which the product grows.
nestGrowthDimension2: The width-increment by which the product grows.
nestGrowthDimension3: The height-increment by which the product grows.
It's recommended to only use the nestGrowthDimension on a single dimension. The most common dimension to grow is Dimension3, which is the vertical axis.
This property causes DIM to add additional padding to products. The dimensions of the product plus the padding will show in the paddedDimensions field.
The following examples display how the variables look in the response depending on the padding requirements.
PackNet Cube uses the paddedDimensions field as it calculates the dimensions of the product with the padding.
This property determines when products are allowed to be layered with other products or not. The layer restrictions are handled at the product level and uses the isSingleLayer property. When isSingleLayer is enabled for a product, the algorithm will avoid placement of additional products on top or underneath the specified product.
PackNet Cube uses the isSignleLayer field as well.
For layering to be allowed, the property should be: isSingleLayer: true
DIM comes equipped with many built in attributes users can select to use when creating products. While these attributes come included in PackNet DIM's Attribute Capture Flow, they may be turned off at any time. The only attributes that are required are the Unique Identifier and Dimensions.
Cavity - Allows a smaller item to fit within the cavity of the larger item. Dimensions for the cavity are required.
Comment - Allows the user to make a comment about the product.
Description - Allows the user to enter a description to identify the product.
Dimensions (L, W, H) - The dimensions for the product or products being packaged in this job. This is a required field.
EAN - European Article Number is a unique identified primarily used in Europe.
GTIN - Global Trade Item Number is a globally recognized unique identifier. DIM has options for GTIN, GTIN_8, GTIN_12, GTIN_13, and GTIN_14.
ISBN - International Standard Book Number is a way to identify books numerically. DIM has options for ISBN, ISBN_10, and ISBN_13.
ItemNumber - The unique item number assigned to the product in PackNet.
Layering - Allows other products to be stacked above or below the product.
Manufacturer - Allows the user to add the name for the manufacturer of the product.
MPN - Manufacturer Part Number is an alphanumeric code assigned by a manufacturer
Name - Allows the user to add a name to the product.
Nesting - Allows one or more of the same item to be stacked inside itself (i.e., plastic cups, chairs). Nesting Dimensions and the Nesting Level Max are required when using this attribute.
Orientation - Allows the user to specify how a product sits as it is placed into a carton. When the orientation of a product is locked, cartonization software must make sure that all packaging solutions will accommodate the product in the specified direction. Users must first input the product's dimensions in the Dimension attribute field. Choosing an orientation will automatically reorder the dimensions accordingly. Orientation is always locked based on the height dimension.
Padding - Adds an amount of padding to go around the product. DIM adds the padding to every side of product. Users can select when the padding is the default padding or a unique padding amount. The default padding amount is established in Configuration > Settings >Attribute Settings.
Product Image - Allows the user to add an image link of the product.
Quantity - The number of that product that will be included in the job.
SKU - Stock Keeping Units is the unique identifier from a company’s inventory system
Supplier - Allows the user to add the name for the supplier of the product.
SupplierNumber - Allows the user to add a supplier number to the product.
UPC - Universal Product Code is a 12-digit code that identified products and their manufacturers.
Weight - The weight of the product going into the carton.