---
title: "Mastering the Packing Proposal"
date: 2026-05-06
description: "Optimise warehouse efficiency with IFS Cloud Packing Proposal. Learn how to automate handling unit selection, reduce shipping costs, and eliminate manual errors"
author: "Dariusz Mysliwiec"
intro_image: "https://www.ifs-erp.com/images/Packing_Proposal.webp"
fulltext_image: "https://www.ifs-erp.com/images/Packing_Proposal.webp"
categories:
  - name: "Blog"
    url: "https://www.ifs-erp.com/blog.md"
tags:
  - name: "IFS Cloud"
    url: "https://www.ifs-erp.com/tags/ifs-cloud-pl.md"
  - name: "Packing proposal"
    url: "https://www.ifs-erp.com/tags/packing-proposal.md"
  - name: "Warehouse Logistics"
    url: "https://www.ifs-erp.com/tags/warehouse-logistics.md"
  - name: "Shipments"
    url: "https://www.ifs-erp.com/tags/shipments.md"
---

# Mastering the Packing Proposal

![Mastering the Packing Proposal](https://www.ifs-erp.com/images/Packing_Proposal.webp)

## Advanced Automation for Warehouse Logistics

 Author: **Logistics & ERP Expert** |  Published: February 2026

 ## TL;DR: The Essentials

 **What is the Packing Proposal?** An intelligent logic engine in IFS Cloud that calculates the most space-efficient way to pack multiple shipment lines into various Handling Units (HUs) like boxes or pallets.

 
- **Core Logic:** Balances part volume, weight, and dimensions against HU capacity.
- **Strategy:** Allows prioritizing either maximum box utilization or minimum travel distance for pickers.
- **Key Benefit:** Reduces "shipping air" and consolidates orders into the fewest possible containers automatically.

 ## What Problem Does This Article Solve?

 In traditional warehouse environments, manual decisions lead to high costs and inefficiencies. This deep dive into **IFS Cloud Packing Proposal** solves:

 - **Inconsistent Packing:** Standardization of groups.
- **Freight Inefficiency:** Automatic HU selection.

 - **Manual Bottlenecks:** Faster dock operations.
- **Warehouse Traffic:** Optimized pick-to-box routes.

 ## 1. Understanding the Packing Proposal Concept

 Unlike standard "Pack according to Instruction", the **Packing Proposal** is a dynamic multi-line optimization tool. It evaluates the entire "bucket" of reserved shipment lines and plays a mathematical version of Tetris to fit them into predefined Handling Unit Types.

 
### 2. How the Algorithm Decides: The Logic Steps

 
1. **Initial Fit Attempt:** Starts from the smallest possible HU and scales up.
2. **Handling Large Quantities:** Recursive loops for volume exceeding large boxes.
3. **Dynamic Sorting:** Prioritizing *Descending Volume* (utilization) or *Ascending Route Order* (labor efficiency).

 
> "The Packing Proposal algorithm acts as a digital bridge between order management and physical logistics, ensuring that what you plan in the ERP is physically possible in the truck."

 
### 3. Strategic Configuration & Basic Data

 #### Max Volume Utilization (%)

 A setting of **80-85%** is recommended. Real-world packing involves dunnage and irregular shapes; 100% utilization is rarely physically achievable.

 
#### Handling Mix Source Objects

 | Setting | Result |
| --- | --- |
| **Never** | One box per order number. High security, low space efficiency. |
| **Always** | Maximized consolidation across orders for the same shipment. |
| **Small Source Objects** | Best of both worlds: mixes only items smaller than the largest box. |

 ## 5. Limitations and Constraints

 
- **Serial and Catch UoM:** Currently not supported in automated proposals.
- **Master Data Integrity:** Missing volume/weight skips the line.
- **Single Level Only:** Does not natively propose "Boxes inside Pallets" in one step.

 ## Frequently Asked Questions

 ### 

 Yes. While it can be automated as an "Optional Event" on the Shipment Type, you can also trigger it manually from the Shipment page for ad-hoc optimization.

 ### 

 Route Order priority organizes the packing sequence based on the warehouse's physical layout. This is ideal for "Pick-to-Box" workflows where the picker packs items directly into the shipping carton as they move through the aisles.

 ## Optimize Your IFS Cloud Logistics

 Want to further reduce costs? Contact our consultancy team for a custom warehouse workflow audit.

 [Get Expert Audit](https://www.ifs-erp.com/en/contact)