In wholesale picking flows, ShipHero lets you pick inventory assigned to LPNs (License Plate Numbers) alongside loose stock. Picking behaves differently depending on whether you're using the manual or mobile workflow, and on how much of the LPN's contents an order needs.
Before You Begin
- Required User Role Permissions: Users must have License Plate Numbers permissions enabled to pick LPNs in manual or mobile picking workflows.
- Activation Required: To get started with LPNs in your account, contact your CSM or ShipHero Support to have the feature enabled.
LPN assignment is configured during the creation of the Picking Plan. For more information, see How to Create a Picking Plan for a Wholesale Order. For an overview of LPNs in ShipHero, see Overview: License Plate Numbers (LPNs) in ShipHero.
LPN Beta Feature Notice
This feature is actively being developed, processes may change and you may encounter occasional bugs. If you experience any issues or have suggestions, please reach out to our support team, your feedback is greatly appreciated as we continue to refine the ShipHero platform!
Table of Contents
- Picking LPNs in the Manual Picking Workflow
- Picking LPNs in Mobile Picking Workflows
- LPN Transitions to the Packing Layout
Picking LPNs in the Manual Picking Workflow
Important
LPNs are assigned when the Picking Plan is created. Users cannot manually edit or swap assigned LPNs while manually picking line items after the plan is generated.
When using the manual picking workflow (picking from paper), the location and LPN are displayed on the Picking List.
- If the FIFO (First In, First Out) Lots and expiration setting is enabled, the picker sees the FIFO badge next to the assigned LPN to pick.
- If the total inventory assigned to the LPN is required, the line item displays the PICK ENTIRE LPN badge.
- If only a portion of the LPN is required, no badge is displayed. The picker must manually pick the specific quantity listed in the Required column.
After items are physically moved, click Transfer Units to Staging.
- Line items with the PICK ENTIRE LPN badge move the complete LPN record to the staging location.
- Partial picks from an LPN remove the specific quantity from the LPN in the source location and transfer those units to the staging location. The original LPN remains in its source location.
Picking LPNs in Mobile Picking Workflows
The mobile interface uses direct LPN scanning to validate requirements in real time. When a picker scans an LPN, the system validates the location, SKU, and lot to ensure it matches the order requirements.
Important
Fully picking mixed LPNs (LPNs containing multiple SKUs) is not supported.
Example: If LPN-1 has 500 of SKU1 and 500 of SKU2, and an order needs exactly those amounts, you cannot move LPN-1 to staging as a unit. You must pick both SKUs from the LPN individually. The result: LPN-1 is marked as Used, and the stock moves to the staging location as loose items rather than a tracked LPN.
Scanning Methods for LPN Picking
| Method | Picker Action |
|---|---|
| Direct Scan | Scan the LPN barcode. The system identifies the item, lot, and location in one step. |
| Traditional Flow | Scan the location barcode first. The system then prompts the user to scan an LPN or item. |
Smart Logic for Item Scanning:Identifying Loose Inventory vs. LPNs
If a picker scans an item barcode instead of an LPN barcode at a location, the system applies the following logic:
- If loose inventory exists: The system directs the picker to pick the non-LPN items from the location first to clear loose stock.
- If no loose inventory exists: The system prompts the picker to scan the specific LPN from which they are retrieving the item to maintain container integrity. Once the LPN is scanned, the mobile app displays "Picking from LPN."
| Location barcode scanned | Loose inventory: Picking from location | No loose inventory: Scan LPN | LPN Pick Screen |
|---|---|---|---|
Picking LPNs with FIFO Enabled
When the Prioritize FIFO (First In, First Out) toggle is enabled, ShipHero recommends the LPN with the oldest received date to each pick line during Picking Plan setup. The mobile app shows this assigned LPN with a grey FIFO badge, with the option to View eligible LPNs to see other valid options in that location.
To accept the assignment, the picker scans the assigned LPN. ShipHero records the pick and the flow continues normally.
| FIFO LPN picking screen example | Eligible LPNs page example |
|---|---|
If the picker scans a different LPN, ShipHero shows a modal stating the LPN isn't FIFO eligible and prompts the picker to select a reason before continuing:
- Not found
- Damaged
- Inaccessible
- Wrong expiry
After the picker selects a reason and confirms, ShipHero validates the scanned LPN (SKU, lot, quantity, and location) and records the override for audit purposes.
| LPN not FIFO eligible prompt | Select a reason for picking a different LPN |
|---|---|
LPN Transitions to the Packing Layout
The system updates the Packing Layout based on how the LPN was processed during the pick.
- Full LPN Pick: If the quantity of a SKU within an LPN meets or exceeds the required amount on the wholesale order, the system processes the full LPN automatically. Inventory remains assigned to the LPN and the entire LPN moves from the source location to the staging location, reflected in the Packing Layout.
- Partial LPN Pick: If the quantity of a scanned LPN exceeds the required amount on the wholesale order, the user is instructed to scan or enter the quantity they are removing from the LPN.
Mobile Picking & Packing only: If a partial quantity is picked, the system directs the user to scan the items into a new LPN. This new LPN then appears in the Packing Layout.
| Location Scanned: Scan LPN or item | Full LPN Pick: "LPN...picked" | Partial LPN Pick: LPN scanned | Partial LPN Pick: "Picking from LPN" | Mobile Picking & Packing: Scan LPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Packing Layout Views for LPN Picks
LPN picks are visualized in the Packing Layout as follows:
- Pallet 1: Fully picked pallet LPN.
- Pallet 2: Fully picked pallet LPN containing nested box LPNs.
- Pallet 3: New LPN created from partially picked inventory.