How can I process orders with a scanner (Pack & Go)? – Sendcloud Help Centre

Purpose: In this article, we will explain how Pack & Go Scanner mode can streamline your workflow for an efficient picking and packing process.

What is barcode scanning and why is it important?

An Inventory Scanner is more accurate and fast than manually processing your orders. Pack & Go is designed to facilitate easier picking and packing when you have a warehouse, stock room, or packing location.

It’s available to users on our Premium or Growth subscription plan and allows you to print packing slips and/or picking lists to process your orders faster, either in conjunction with a barcode scanner (Scanner mode) or without (Automatic mode).

Note: If two or more users are logged into the same account, one session will be locked to prevent duplicate printing/order processing in Pack & Go scanner mode.

Scan and print labels using Scanner mode

If you have a wide range of products, a medium to large warehouse and multiple packing stations equipped with bar-code scanners, Pack & Go Scanner mode is the tool for you. It's designed to be used with either individual packing slips which show one order per page and the items included in that order, or with a picking list which details multiple orders and their associated items.

Your dedicated picker/packer can print their packing slips/picking list and use them to collect the products needed to fulfill each order. Then, when they have completed the picking aspect of the process, they can return to the packing station. By scanning the bar code on either of the two documents in Pack & Go, the relevant order will appear on screen. Scanning the bar code a second time will process the label/packing slip which can be attached to the box.

Barcodes explained:

Our packing and picking barcodes are unique and are automatically generated internally.
For Pack & Go, you may create a barcode representing the order number, the system will recognize the order number and will find the matching order in your queue.
We use numeric-only barcodes (also known as 128-type barcodes).

Step 1: Select Scanner mode

Pack & Go offers the possibility to process orders with or without a scanner. To set-up processing without a scanner, visit "Settings" > "Pack & Go". Next, select the "Scanner mode".

Step 2: Install the Print App

If you have not already configured your print settings, now's the time to do so by downloading our Print Client. This will allow you to automatically print labels and packing slips/picking lists as you process them within Pack & Go. Click on the Pack & Go tab, and you will be prompted to download the app and configure your printing defaults. For more help setting up your printer, click here.

Step 3: Set up smart Shipping Rules

Once your printer settings are configured, we recommend you set some Shipping Rules to fully automate your packing process. Click here for a guide on how you can use Shipping Rules to automatically allocate specific shipping methods to certain types of orders, or insure parcels of a certain value by a set amount, and many more options.

Setting up shipping rules reduces or removes completely the need to individually edit orders as they appear in the queue. This saves you valuable picking and packing time and creates the ideal workflow to maximize your time saving and cost-efficiency!

Step 4: Print your packing slip/picking list

Whether you prefer to work with a single picking list or individual packing slips is up to you.

Click here to see how to download and use packing slips and picking lists.

Once you have your packing lists/picking list, you're ready to pick your products and process your orders.

Step 5: Print your labels

Once you've picked your orders and returned to your packing station, scan the bar code on the packing slip/picking list once. The order will be shown, including the sender address and shipping method. If any corrections need to be made to the address details, you can edit the order in this page.

Simply scan once to bring up the order, then scan again to confirm and print the label. The order will be processed and the label will automatically print based on the printer settings you already defined. Package your order, and on to the next one!

FAQ

Q: Is it possible to scan the barcode on a packing slip with Pack & Go, even if the packing slip is not generated within Sendcloud?

A: Pack & Go is compatible with packing slips from external integrations, as long as the barcode corresponds with the order number as specified in the Incoming Order View in your Sendcloud panel.Please check if your integration supports plugins to generate order barcodes. This plugin, for example, can be purchased if you generate your packing slips from your Woocommerce integration. If you scan this barcode within Pack & Go, Sendcloud will recognize the order number and you will be able to process your order without any problems!

Q: Why isn’t my label automatically printing, even though I scanned the packing slip/pick list for a second time?

A: Is your cursor located on the order number or barcode field? This will cause complications while processing your orders.

Want to use Pack & Go without a scanner? Click here to see how to use Automatic mode.