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Work with Containers

Learn how to manage container shipments in Optiply. Set up supplier container capacities and individual product dimensions to calculate the exact fill rate of your purchase orders.

Written by Ricardo Guerreiro

🚢 Work with Containers

Every order you purchase is delivered to your warehouse in some form of a container. Whether it is a 40-foot shipping container from overseas, a standard EURO pallet, or a full delivery truck, optimising that physical space saves you significant money on freight costs.

Optiply can show you the exact fill rate of your shipments and automatically calculate how many containers you will need for a specific purchase order. Here is how to set it up!

🔒 Feature Activation: Working with containers is an advanced module that needs to be activated in your Optiply environment (and may incur extra costs depending on your subscription plan). If you do not currently have this feature active, please contact your Customer Success Manager or email support@optiply.nl and we will be happy to unlock it for you!

📏 Step 1: Determine the Container Size

Each supplier uses different shipping methods and container types. You must first define the maximum physical constraints for the specific supplier, so Optiply knows what it is trying to fill.

  1. Navigate to the Suppliers page from the main top menu.

  2. Search for and click on the specific supplier you want to configure.

  3. Locate the container settings in their information panel.

  4. Fill in the Maximum capacity (kg). This is the absolute maximum weight one container can handle from this supplier.

  5. Fill in the Container volume (m³). This is the maximum physical space available inside the container.

  6. Click Save.

📦 Step 2: Fill in Product Values

To accurately calculate the fill rate of the container, the algorithm needs to know how heavy and how big the items you are buying actually are.

  1. Navigate to the Products page and click on a specific product.

  2. In the right-hand product overlay, go to the Settings tab.

  3. Scroll down to Supplier Product Settings and click Edit.

  4. Fill in the item's Weight and Volume.

  5. Click Save.

⚠️ Important Note: Product dimensions and weights can differ per supplier (e.g., Supplier A packages the item in a larger box than Supplier B). Make sure to fill these constraints in accurately for every supplier linked to the product!

Bulk Updating Product Dimensions

Updating these values one by one for thousands of SKUs would take forever. You can easily upload all these product weights and volumes in bulk using a CSV file! Simply navigate to Products> Supplier products > Imports to upload your container data.
See more details here
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where do I actually see the container fill rate?

Once you have filled in your supplier capacities and product dimensions, you will see the calculations live on the Purchase Page. When you open a specific draft or proposed order, look at the "Totals Row" at the top of the screen. It will actively track the total calculated Weight, Volume, and the exact number of Containers needed for the items currently in your order!

What happens if I forget to add the volume for a specific product?

If a product is missing its weight or volume data, Optiply will simply calculate its physical footprint as "0". This will throw off your final container calculation, making the system think you have more space left in the container than you actually do in reality. Always ensure your data is complete!

Do I have to use this for ocean shipping containers only?

Not at all! You can use this feature for any physical boundary. You can define the "Container" volume and weight based on a standard shipping pallet, a delivery van, or a standard cardboard box. If it holds items and has a maximum capacity, Optiply can calculate it.


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