How to create a Pending Consignment via Import

How to create a Pending Consignment via Import

If you wish to create a placeholder for a future consignment, you can add a Pending Consignment. 

One of the ways in which a user can create a Pending Consignment in MachShip is via the import method. 

How to navigate to Import Pending Consignments screen 

  • To get to the Import Consignments screen, from the top menu Create/Manage, click Import Consignments under the Consignments section. 

  • Or you can alternatively use the link here. 

Import Pending Consignments Process 

MachShip can facilitate the mapping of a consignment file which you are able to internally produce in any of XML, Delimited or JSON formats. If you are unable to produce a file or are happy to utilise the MachShip generic version then please provide a file in the following format. 

Despatch DateDespatch TimeCarrierAccountServiceFrom Location NameFrom Location AbbreviationFrom ContactFrom PhoneFrom EmailFrom Address Line 1From Address Line 2From SuburbFrom PostcodeTo Location NameTo Location AbbreviationTo ContactTo PhoneTo EmailTo Address Line 1To Address Line 2To SuburbTo PostcodeSpecial InstructionsReference 1Reference 2QuantityItem SKUItem nameTypeLengthWidthHeightWeight
                                  

For a Pending Consignment there are no required fields but for an outline on the fields in the csv above see below:

Add CSV Files (required fields only apply when attempting to create a consignment. If you are importing orders (pending consignments) then you can provide as much or as little data as desired) 

  • Despatch Date Despatch Time: If not provided then the current date will be utilised. 

  • Carrier, Account, Service: If you wish to consign with a particular Carrier, Account or Service set them here. If not, MachShip will create the consignment via either the lowest cost or fastest ETA model. These will be the abbreviations stored in MachShip rather than the names. For example, TNT Road Express the carrier is TNT and the service is 76.

  • From/To Location Name or From/To Location Abbreviation: You can either fill in the location name or its abbreviation. If it is a saved location, all the address info fields can be left blank. For a new one, Address Line 1 and Suburb are required.

  • From/To Address Line 1, Address Line 2, Suburb, Postcode, Contact, Phone or Email: If you are not using a saved location then you will need to provide at least the address line 1 as well as a suburb postcode combination from the from and to locations. 

  • Reference 1 and Reference 2: Set reference field 1 and reference field 2. Please note that the Generic Consignment Import workflow will consolidate the file by From and To Locations as well as reference 1 and reference 2. 

  • Items: As stated above, the Generic Consignment Import workflow will consolidate rows based on the same from/to location details and reference 1 and reference 2. As such, each row will be one line item. 

    You will be required to set:    

    • Quantity: Quantity for each line item. 

    • Item SKU or Item Name: If you decide to use a saved item, enter the SKU or Name, it will use the dimensions from the saved item.

      If not using a saved item then you will need to provide:

    • Item Type - Skid, Pallet, Carton or any other valid MachShip item type
    • Length, Width, Height (cm)
    • Weight (kg)

An example of the file import order file with no consignment dimensions would be as follows:

Despatch DateDespatch TimeCarrierAccountServiceFrom Location NameFrom Location AbbreviationFrom ContactFrom PhoneFrom EmailFrom Address Line 1From Address Line 2From SuburbFrom PostcodeTo Location NameTo Location AbbreviationTo ContactTo PhoneTo EmailTo Address Line 1To Address Line 2To SuburbTo PostcodeSpecial InstructionsReference 1Reference 2QuantityItem SKUItem nameTypeLengthWidthHeightWeight
     Test Sending Location Test Sender61422 123 123test@test.com123 test street Melbourne3000Tim Test Tim Testington  123 Test Street Sydney2000Enter Through Front Gate1231234564562 Big CartonCarton   20
     Test Sending Location Test Sender61422 123 123test@test.com123 test street Melbourne3000Tim Test Tim Testington  123 Test Street Sydney2000Enter Through Front Gate1231234564562 Small CartonCarton   3
  • Import Consignments

    • Select Add Files and select the relevant file to be uploaded.


    • Then Select Upload


      The file will appear in the import files grid as below:


    • Import Type -  Select the Order import type. This will import all entries on the file as Pending Consignments. 


    • File Format: For each uploaded file, you can select the import file format, the default one is “GENERIC CONSIGNMENT IMPORTER V2”. Otherwise, select the relevant workflow you require. 

To import the file simply select the tick box to the right of the file name and select Import Consignments.

Once selected the Import Consignment Modal will appear. The file will be imported and a list of created Pending Consignments will be shown to the user.