General setup

Peter Kure Bek-Thorngreen Updated by Peter Kure Bek-Thorngreen

General setup

Packaging types, packaging materials, and composed materials

Introduction

This guide explains the master-data foundation required before packaging information can be calculated, traced, or reported. It combines the existing Shipping Packaging Management package definitions with the ESG material structure.

Setup sequence

1. Create or review packaging types and package definitions in Shipping Packaging Management.

2. Create simple packaging materials in Packaging material setup.

3. Create composed materials when a package consists of multiple constituent materials.

4. Assign a Material ID, material quantity, and material unit to each relevant package definition.

5. Review and complete the generated Material composition lines.

Packaging types

A packaging type defines how the physical package is handled by Shipping Packaging Management. The ESG module does not replace this setup. It enhances package definitions with material information.

Type

Operational purpose

ESG documentation impact

Return

Packaging expected to be returned and balanced against a business relation or carrier.

Material information can be assigned to its package definition.

Invoice

Packaging sold or purchased as an ordinary invoice line.

Material information can be assigned and included when package usage is registered.

Disposable

One-time packaging consumed from inventory.

Useful for reporting material leaving the organization.

Pool

Packaging owned by an external pool provider.

Can carry material information; most often these will be handled and reported by the pool owner; for flexibility reasons it is possible to add material information; operational pool reporting remains part of Shipping Packaging Management.

For calculation only

Virtual package used only in advanced packaging calculations.

Normally not a physical package and therefore assigning ESG material data is typically not done.

Important:

The same item number can be used for different Packaging IDs, but it is a specific setup. Reference to this article for more: https://docs.cepheo.com/article/fd1qoxrkol-cepheo-shipping-packaging-management-feature-management. *

Maintain consistent Packaging IDs across companies when intercompany processes are used.

Create packaging materials

Path: Inventory management > Inquiries and reports > Cepheo ESG > Packaging material setup

Simple material

  1. Select New.
  2. Enter a unique Material ID, for example CARDBOARD, PAPER, PET, ALUMINIUM, or WOOD.
  3. Leave Composed material set to No.
  4. Save the record.

Composed material

Use a composed material when one packaging material must be represented by several direct constituent materials. Example: LAMINATED_BOARD consists of PAPER and PLASTIC_FILM.

  1. Create each constituent as a simple material.
  2. Select New and enter a unique Material ID for the composition.
  3. Set Composed material to Yes.
  4. In Composed material setup, add each Sub material.
  5. Save the record.

Design rule: Use simple materials as sub-materials. Composition generation expands one level only. Do not nest one composed material inside another.

Field

Purpose

Material ID

Unique identifier, maximum 30 characters.

Composed material

Indicates whether the material groups direct sub-materials.

Sub material

Simple material included in the composed material.

Assign material to a package definition

  1. Open the package definition in Cepheo Shipping Packaging Management.
  2. Select the Material ID.
  3. Select Material composition
  4. Set quantity
  5. Select the Material unit, for example kg or g.
  6. For composed material, enter the constituent quantity and unit on each generated line.
  7. Save the package.

Master-data control: A package without a Material ID is omitted from shipping-note material generation. The system does not prevent incomplete package setup from being used.

Example: laminated shipping box

Record

Example setup

Simple materials

PAPER; PLASTIC_FILM

Composed material

LAMINATED_BOARD with PAPER and PLASTIC_FILM as sub-materials

Package definition

BOX-LAM

Package material

LAMINATED_BOARD

Composition per box

0.30 kg PAPER and 0.05 kg PLASTIC_FILM

When BOX-LAM is used, the package composition provides separate paper and plastic-film quantities for traceability. Quantities are maintained on the package composition, not on the composed-material master.

Data-quality checklist

  • Use stable and meaningful Material IDs.
  • Avoid near-duplicate material records.
  • Prefer one governed unit per material category.
  • Verify quantities against supplier specifications or measured samples.
  • Review composition whenever the package Material ID changes because generated lines are replaced.

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