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Overview: Managing License Plate Numbers (LPNs) in ShipHero

License Plate Numbers (LPNs) streamline warehouse management by assigning unique identifiers to physical inventory containers such as boxes and pallets. This system organizes large volumes of inventory for higher accuracy and efficiency, particularly in wholesale environments.

Permissions Note

Users must have License Plate Numbers permissions enabled to access this page.

Table of Contents

Navigating the LPN Page

The LPN page serves as the central management hub for all LPN containers in your ShipHero account.

  • View: Monitor LPNs, locations, statuses, and contained units.
  • Available Filters: Filter by Warehouse, LPN Type, and Status.
  • Search: Locate specific LPNs using LPN Name, Location name, SKU, or Order ID.
  • Perform Actions: Create LPNs, print labels, or delete unused LPNs individually or in bulk.
Main LPN Page View
Search Options Filter Management

LPN Page Columns Defined

Column Description
LPN The unique identifier code assigned to each container. This is the actual "License Plate Number."
Warehouse The physical warehouse location where the LPN is stored.
Type The type of container the LPN represents (e.g., "Box," "Pallet").
Job The operation or process the LPN is currently linked to (e.g., "Wholesale").
Order ID Links to the associated order, if applicable (e.g., Wholesale Orders).
Location The specific location within the warehouse (e.g., "Staging Area," "Receiving Dock").
Status The current state of the LPN (e.g., "In Use," "Used," "Unused").
Inventory Units The number of individual inventory items currently in the container.
Last Activity The date and time of the last action associated with the LPN.
Print Label Allows you to print a replacement label. (Only visible when hovering over an LPN or when multiple LPNs are selected.)
Delete Permanently removes the LPN from the system. Only LPNs with an Unused status can be deleted; those with Used or In-Use status cannot. (Only visible when hovering over an LPN or when multiple LPNs are selected.)

LPN Statuses

LPN statuses update automatically in the system based on the inventory associated with them. There are three LPN statuses:

  • Unused: no inventory and no previous history
  • In-Use: has inventory currently associated
  • Used: previously had inventory associated, but none currently

Viewing LPN Details

Select any LPN to open its LPN Details Page. This page shows the container's current contents and its complete history within the warehouse. You can also print a replacement LPN label from this page.

Image of the LPN Details page

The Details page includes four key sections:

  • Items: Lists all items in the LPN, including original pick locations and lot data.
  • Nested LPNs: Displays child containers and their details stored within this parent LPN.
  • Timeline: A chronological log of every action associated with the LPN.
  • LPN Details: Displays core data including LPN type, Warehouse, associated Job, and Parent LPN associations.

Creating New LPNs

ShipHero generates LPN names automatically in chronological order. Custom naming or CSV uploads are not supported. The naming format uses the structure LPN-[Type][Number] (e.g., LPN-BO15 for a box or LPN-PA15 for a pallet.)

  1. Go to the Inventory & locations > LPNs page.
  2. Select Create LPN. If this is your first LPN, the button appears in the center of the page; otherwise, it is in the top right corner.

    2a. Initial Creation of LPNs 2b. Creating Additional LPNs
  3. In the pop-up window:
    • Select the Type (Box or Pallet).
    • Enter the Quantity of LPNs to create.
    • Optional: Check "Print LPN labels" to generate a PDF of the labels upon creation.
  4. Click Create.

Bulk Managing LPNs

You can perform the following actions on multiple LPNs at once:

  • Print simple LPN label: Generate a PDF of LPN labels to replace destroyed ones or print them for initial use.
  • Print detailed LPN label: Generate a PDF of detailed LPN labels showing the content list of each LPN.
  • Delete: Bulk delete unused LPNs; this action cannot be undone.

How to Bulk Manage LPNs

  1. Check the box next to each LPN you want to include. To select all, check the box at the top of the list.
  2. Select the desired action.
  3. Deleting requires confirmation. Bulk printing automatically generates a PDF when Print Label is selected.
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