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How to Auto-Assign Pick Locations with Wholesale Automation Rules

When a wholesale order is opened, someone normally has to run the allocation to propose pick locations before the order can move to picking. A Wholesale Automation Rule can do this for you: the moment an order is opened, ShipHero assigns the pick locations automatically using the priority rules you set, so the proposal is already there and no one has to allocate by hand.

This rule pairs the The order is opened trigger with the Auto-assign Locations action. The example below shows a common way operators set it up.

Before You Begin

  • You need the Wholesale:Manager: Create permission to build a rule and Wholesale:Manager: Edit to change one.
  • A rule is evaluated only while it is Active. A new rule is Active by default.

Activation Required

The Wholesale Automation Rules feature is currently in BETA and needs to be enabled before it shows in your account. Please contact ShipHero support to have Wholesale Automation Rules enabled.

Table of Contents

How the Wholesale Automation Order-Opened Trigger Works

The The order is opened trigger fires when a wholesale order is opened. By default the rule runs only the first time an order is opened. The Multiple runs per order toggle controls whether it can run again on later opens.

When the trigger fires, the Auto-assign Locations action assigns pick locations to the order using the same priority rules as the Auto-assign Allocation modal in the wholesale flow. The result is a location proposal ready on the order, without anyone running the allocation manually.

For the full list of triggers, conditions, and actions, and the steps to view, edit, enable, or delete rules, see How to Create and Manage Wholesale Automation Rules in ShipHero.

How to Create a Wholesale Automation Rule to Auto-Assign Pick Locations

  1. Go to Settings > Wholesale Settings, then open the Wholesale Automation tab. You can also reach this page from the Wholesale dashboard using the Settings shortcut.
  2. Click Create Automation.
  3. Enter a unique Name, for example "Auto-assign on order open."
  4. Leave Multiple runs per order off so the rule runs the first time each order is opened. Turn it on only if you want it to run again every time the order is re-opened.
  5. Under Trigger, select The order is opened.
  6. Leave Conditions empty to apply the rule to every wholesale order, or click Add Condition to scope it, for example to a specific client or retailer.
  7. Under Action, click Add Action and select Auto-assign Locations. Configure its parameters (see below).
  8. Click Save.

Auto-Assign Locations Parameters for Wholesale Automation Rules

The action uses the same parameters as the Auto-assign Allocation modal in the wholesale flow:

Parameter What it controls
Prioritized locations Locations to prioritize when assigning stock.
LPNs Prioritize LPNs by FIFO.
Location type Whether to pull from Non-pickable or Pickable locations.
Unit of measure Prioritize the largest unit of measure.
Lots Lot selection strategy: FIFO, LEFO, LIFO, FEFO, or Expires in more than X days.
Stock Prioritize locations with the least or the most stock.
Preserve existing allocations Keep allocations already made on the order and only assign what is still unallocated.

Common Example for Auto-Assigning Pick Locations with Wholesale Automation Rules

Open an order and get the location proposal automatically. You want to open a wholesale order and have the pick-location proposal ready, without running the auto-allocation yourself.

Setting Value
Trigger The order is opened
Multiple runs per order Off
Conditions None (applies to every wholesale order), or scope by Client / Retailer as needed
Action Auto-assign Locations, configured with your priority rules

With this rule Active, opening the order fires the trigger and ShipHero assigns the locations. The proposal is waiting for the picker, and no manual allocation step is needed.

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