Let’s take a small overview of the fields on the sales container to create an overall understanding.
The sales container in your Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central setup gives you one place to gather sales orders and transfer orders that travel together. This article walks through the fields on the sales container card so you understand what each one does, what gets filled in automatically, and what you need to maintain manually.
The container ID is generated automatically from a number series. You do not type it in yourself.
If a container is for a single customer, you can set the customer number in the header and import lines based on that customer. If the container holds several customers or includes a transfer order, you leave the customer number blank.
You can update all sales order and transfer order lines with one shipment date directly from the header. Business Central asks whether you want to apply the date to every line at once.
Status fields such as outbound status update automatically as the container moves through ordering and shipping. You set some values manually, but shipping the container sets the status to shipped on its own.
Header fields on the sales container card
The header holds the core identification and planning information for the container.
The container ID follows a number series and is normally filled in automatically when you create the container.
In description and description 2, you can write any free text you want on the container.
The customer number is used when the container is for a single customer only. You add the customer number from the customer list, and you can then import lines based on that customer. If the container has different customers, or it includes a transfer order, the customer number is left blank. In the example container, there are several customers and a transfer order, so the customer number is deleted.
The urgency field is a free text field. You can write whatever you want here so the priority is visible in the overview and you can see how urgent the work on this container is.
Dates and shipping information on the container
The shipment date can be maintained in the header. When you set it, Business Central asks if you want to update all sales order and transfer order lines with this date. This is a quick way to update all the lines in one go.
The booked for date is normally filled in when you order the container. It tells you when you expect the container to arrive at your ramp, so you can follow up if it is not there on time.
The shipping agent code is the shipping agent that is supposed to ship the container.
The serial number container code is the 18 digit number that is specific to this exact container. You fill it in here.
The outbound status is filled in more or less automatically. When you order, you fill it in manually, but when you ship the container, the status is set to shipped on its own. The status field lets you see where the container stands, both on the card and in the container list.
If the container is a truck or something else with a registration number, you can enter that number here. If you use your own trucks for shipping, you can plan which truck is driving on which route.
Lines and posted lines on the container
The container has the lines that are added to it, and the posted lines that have been posted on the container. Together these show what the container carries and what has already been processed.
Measurements on the container
Further down the card you have the measurements section, which covers all the measurements of the container. Some of these are calculated automatically through the calculate content and value function, while others you add yourself.
You add the container size manually.
You add the number of colli manually.
You add the container cubic meters manually if you want to.
The rest is measured or calculated for you.
Sea freight information in the lower section
The lower section holds information for deliveries by sea. If you deliver on sea, you might want to know the ship name and the date or time the container is expected to be delivered in the harbor. A common scenario is that the container is left or sent to the harbor and then waits there for further handling.
Q&A
When is the container ID filled in?
The container ID follows a number series and is normally filled in automatically when you create the container. You do not enter it yourself.
When should you fill in the customer number on a container?
Use the customer number only when the container is for a single customer. You add it from the customer list and can then import lines based on that customer. If the container has multiple customers or includes a transfer order, you leave the field blank.
How do you update the shipment date on all lines at once?
Maintain the shipment date in the header. Business Central then asks if you want to update all sales order and transfer order lines with that date, so you can update every line in one go.
What does the booked for date tell you?
The booked for date is normally filled in when you order the container and shows when you expect the container to arrive at your ramp. It lets you follow up if the container is not there on time.
Which measurement fields are filled in automatically and which are manual?
Some measurements are calculated automatically through the calculate content and value function. You add the container size, the number of colli, and the container cubic meters manually. The rest is measured or calculated.
How does the outbound status get updated?
The outbound status is filled in more or less automatically. You set it manually when you order, but shipping the container sets the status to shipped on its own.