This series of articles introduces the logistics tools in Grand Shooting. It is a full module that adds a workflow on product samples to the media workflow. In summary, these logistics tools provide answers to the following questions:

• Which items in stock have not yet been shot?
• Are there items at the studio that need to be returned to the warehouses?
• Before shipping the items, have all views been correctly produced?

Logistics is accessible for Enterprise licenses

Do I need the logistics module?

A box full of items arrives at the photo studio. It contains a delivery slip with the contents of the box. You have to manually check this listing to verify that there are no errors:

• Are all the items on the listing actually in the box?
• Are there items in the box that are not on the listing?
• Are all the items indeed to be shot?

All these checks take time. Errors are possible, so the goal is to provide you with tools that will allow you to detect errors faster and establish reliable listings with the items to shoot.

Let's be clear, tracking items is not a necessity for everyone. The logistics module is interesting in 2 specific cases:

1. Continuous flow management: samples are handled by the photo studio throughout the year
2. Traceability of high-value items: useful for certain fields such as jewelry or high-end watches

Barcode or no barcode?

The advantage of having items labeled with barcodes is to speed up logistics operations. You will save time if you have large quantities to process.

But not all items are systematically labeled. If this is your case, you can label them yourself with your own barcodes so that if you lose a little time labeling the items, you will save a lot on the logistics control steps.

An up-to-date catalog

Each time a barcode is scanned in Grand Shooting, the application searches for the data in the catalog. Thus, the logistics module is only of interest if your data is up to date in the catalog. In particular, a technical integration of your PIM or ERP may be necessary: to learn more, we invite you to contact Grand Shooting support.

Activation of the logistics module‍‍

The module is accessible from the Logistics link on the homepage. If this link is missing, ask support to activate the module by sending an email to help@grand-shooting.com.

Main features

Identification of items to shoot

Among the references in the catalog, which items are available to be sent to the studio?

To organize the next shooting sessions, you group the references by typology and then, depending on the integration of Grand Shooting with your information system, you trigger the picking orders to start the logistics workflow.

Receiving items

Reception is an important step in the workflow: the items have physically arrived at the photo studio, they are received either by entering the reference or by scanning the barcode.

After each reception, you review the products in Grand Shooting to intercept those that already have images. You can immediately return them to your client or warehouse or decide to reshoot them in the case of reissues.

This step is very often accompanied by packaging to prepare the item before shooting: cleaning, hanging, ...

Organization at the photo studio

We introduce 2 important notions for the organization of items within the photo studio: shelves and zones.

1. The shelf is a generic term designating a container in which you receive one or more items. It can be a bin, a shelf, a rack, ... any logistical support. Products can be moved from one shelf to another as the logistics workflow progresses.
2. Shelves are organized into zones: a zone is a storage space that can contain one or more shelves.

For example, your establishment may incorporate a zone dedicated to the reception of incoming items, a second zone for the photo studio, and a third zone for the return of merchandise to the warehouse. You decide the organization in zones and shelves according to the layout of the premises, and according to your needs.

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The creation of zones is optional. If you wish to maintain a simple organization without having to manage zones and shelves moving from one zone to another, you can create shelves without zones.

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Logistics workflow statuses

By standard, the logistics module is activated with standard statuses: in stock warehouse, picking, sent, departure warehouse, ... these statuses mark the lifecycle of the item throughout the logistics workflow. You may not necessarily need all these statuses but Grand Shooting does not block anything. The product is not required to go through all the logistics statuses.

Return of photographed items

In theory, at the end of the cycle, that is when the items are photographed and then repackaged, they must return to the warehouse.

Shipping is the reverse operation of reception: the items are scanned one by one and then marked as shipped to signify that they are leaving the photo studio.

In the application's filters, items are considered In logistics flow as soon as they are in transit to the studio.

Conversely, in the application's filters, items are considered "Out of logistics flow" when they are referenced and in stock in the warehouse but without ongoing action.