Training

Overview

This comprehensive training guide provides role-specific instructions for all P4 Warehouse users. Each section is designed for hands-on training with clear step-by-step procedures.

Training Tip: Have trainees practice in a sandbox environment before working in production. For complete documentation, visit https://docs.p4.software

Table of Contents

New Employee Onboarding

Day 1: Orientation

Morning (4 hours):

Safety & Compliance:
├── Warehouse safety rules
├── Emergency procedures
├── PPE requirements
├── Equipment safety
└── Incident reporting

System Access:
├── Login credentials
├── Password setup
├── Device assignment (PDT)
├── Time clock setup
└── Badge/access card

Afternoon (4 hours):

Warehouse Tour:
├── Layout and zones
├── Product locations
├── Equipment locations
├── Break areas
├── Emergency exits
└── Restricted areas

Basic System Training:
├── Login to PDT
├── Basic navigation
├── Scanning practice
├── Error handling
└── Getting help

Day 2-5: Role-Specific Training

Follow the appropriate role-based guide below.

Receiver Training Guide

Module 1: Basic Receiving (Day 1)

System Login

1. Power on PDT device
2. Connect to WiFi (automatic)
3. Open P4 Warehouse app
4. Enter credentials:
   - Username (lowercase)
   - Password
   - Select warehouse
5. Select "Receiving" menu

Receiving a Purchase Order

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Pre-Receipt Setup

    Menu > Receiving > PO Receipt
- Scan PO number label
- Verify vendor name displays
- Check expected items list

  2. Physical Receipt

    At dock door:
- Verify seal number (if applicable)
- Count total cartons/pallets
- Check for visible damage
- Take photos if damaged

  3. System Receipt

    Scan each item:
- Scan product barcode
- Enter quantity received
- Enter lot number (if required)
- Enter expiry date (if required)
- Scan/assign bin location

  4. Completion

    - Review quantities
- Confirm receipt
- Print labels if needed
- Close PO (if complete)

Common Receiving Errors

Error
Cause
Solution

"Product not on PO"

Wrong item scanned

Verify correct PO

"Quantity exceeds expected"

Over-shipment

Contact supervisor

"Invalid location"

Bin doesn't exist

Create bin or select different

"Lot required"

Product needs lot #

Enter lot from packaging

Module 2: Advanced Receiving (Day 2)

LPN (Pallet) Receiving

1. Generate LPN number
2. Print pallet label
3. Scan all products to LPN
4. Maintain LPN through putaway
5. Benefits:
   - Faster putaway
   - Maintains pallet integrity
   - Easier cycle counting

Blind Receiving

Process when no PO exists:
1. Menu > Receiving > Non-PO Receipt
2. Select vendor (or create new)
3. Scan each product
4. Enter quantities
5. Generate receipt number
6. Notify purchasing

Cross-Dock Receiving

For immediate ship items:
1. Identify cross-dock orders
2. Receive to CROSS-DOCK zone
3. Apply shipping labels immediately
4. Move to shipping within 4 hours
5. No putaway required

Module 3: Special Product Handling (Day 3)

Decimal/Weight Products

Receiving by weight:
1. Place on scale
2. Tare container weight
3. Record actual weight
4. System calculates variance
5. Accept if within tolerance (±2%)
6. Flag if outside tolerance

Expiry-Dated Products

Requirements:
1. Always enter expiry date
2. Format: MM/DD/YYYY
3. Check customer allowance:
   - Default: 70 days
   - Reject if too short
4. Label clearly with expiry
5. Arrange FEFO in bin

Temperature-Controlled Products

Cold chain receipt:
1. Check temperature log
2. Move to cooler immediately
3. Maximum 30 min at dock
4. Document temperature
5. Use COOLER/FREEZER zones only

Picker Training Guide

Module 1: Basic Picking (Day 1)

Pick Ticket Picking

Getting Started:

1. Login to PDT
2. Menu > Picking > Pick Ticket
3. Scan pick ticket barcode
4. Review order summary:
   - Total lines
   - Total units
   - Zone sequence

Picking Process:

For each line:
1. Go to location shown
2. Scan bin barcode
3. Scan product barcode
4. Pick quantity shown
5. Confirm pick
6. Place in tote/pallet

Verification Steps:

Always verify:
- Product matches screen
- Quantity is correct
- Expiry date acceptable
- No damage
- Lot number (if shown)

Module 2: Advanced Picking Methods (Day 2)

Wave Picking

Multiple orders simultaneously:
1. Get wave assignment
2. Use multi-compartment cart
3. Label each compartment
4. Pick all orders in sequence
5. Sort while picking
6. Deliver to packing

Batch Picking

Same items for multiple orders:
1. Get batch assignment
2. Pick total quantity needed
3. Move to packing area
4. Sort into individual orders
5. Best for small items

Zone Picking

Stay in assigned zone:
1. Pick only your zone items
2. Place in tote
3. Pass to next zone
4. Last zone completes order
5. Send to packing

Module 3: Special Picking Situations (Day 3)

Short Picks

When insufficient inventory:
1. Pick available quantity
2. Select "Short" option
3. Enter actual quantity
4. System creates backorder
5. Note reason if asked

Decimal Picking

For weight-based items:
1. Use scale station
2. Tare container
3. Pick required weight
4. Allow ±2% variance
5. Print weight label
6. Apply to container

Expiry/Lot Selection

System enforces FEFO:
1. Pick oldest first
2. Scan lot label
3. System verifies correct
4. Override needs supervisor
5. Check customer requirements

Picking Errors Recovery

If wrong item picked:
1. Menu > Void Pick
2. Scan item to return
3. Return to correct bin
4. Pick correct item
5. Document reason

Packer Training Guide

Module 1: Packing Basics (Day 1)

Packing Station Setup

Start of shift:
1. Check supplies:
   - Boxes (various sizes)
   - Void fill
   - Tape
   - Labels
2. Test scale
3. Test printer
4. Login to system
5. Clean work area

Standard Packing Process

1. Scan tote/pick ticket
2. Review order contents
3. Select appropriate box size
4. Pack items securely:
   - Heavy items bottom
   - Fragile protected
   - Void fill gaps
5. Include packing slip
6. Seal box
7. Weigh package
8. Print shipping label
9. Apply label
10. Move to shipping

Module 2: Cartonization (Day 2)

Box Selection

System Recommendations:
- Small: <1 cubic ft
- Medium: 1-2 cubic ft
- Large: 2-4 cubic ft
- X-Large: >4 cubic ft

Override if needed:
- Fragile items need more space
- Long items need special box
- Multi-box for heavy orders

Special Packing Requirements

Hazmat:
- Use certified packaging
- Apply hazmat labels
- Include documentation
- Segregate from other packages

Fragile:
- Double box method
- Extra cushioning
- Fragile stickers
- Top load labels

Module 3: Shipping Preparation (Day 3)

Carrier Selection

Determining best carrier:
- Weight: <150 lbs = Parcel
- Weight: >150 lbs = LTL
- Speed: Next day = Express
- Cost: Ground = Economical

Documentation

Required documents:
- Packing slip (in box)
- Shipping label (outside)
- Invoice (if required)
- Customs forms (international)
- COD forms (if applicable)

Dispatcher Training Guide

Module 1: Order Management (Day 1)

Creating Orders

Manual Order Entry:
1. Fulfillment > Orders > New
2. Select customer
3. Enter ship-to address
4. Add line items:
   - Search/scan SKU
   - Enter quantity
   - Repeat for all items
5. Set required date
6. Save order

Order Import

Bulk Import Process:
1. Prepare CSV file
2. Fulfillment > Import
3. Select file
4. Map columns
5. Validate data
6. Import orders
7. Review errors
8. Correct and retry

Module 2: Allocation & Wave Management (Day 2)

Allocation Process

1. Select orders to allocate
2. Check inventory availability
3. Run allocation:
   - FIFO: First in, first out
   - FEFO: First expired, first out
   - Closest: Nearest to packing
4. Review allocation results
5. Handle shortages:
   - Backorder
   - Substitute
   - Cancel line

Wave Creation

Best Practices:
1. Group by:
   - Carrier cutoff times
   - Shipping method
   - Zone/area
   - Priority
2. Wave size: 20-30 orders
3. Consider picker capacity
4. Balance workload
5. Release wave
6. Print pick tickets

Module 3: Reporting & Analysis (Day 3)

Daily Reports

Morning Reports:
- Previous day shipments
- Current day orders
- Inventory levels
- Backorder report

Afternoon Reports:
- Picking productivity
- Shipping performance
- Carrier performance
- Exception report

KPI Monitoring

Key Metrics:
- Order fill rate
- On-time shipment
- Pick accuracy
- Lines per hour
- Cost per order

Cycle Counter Training Guide

Module 1: Cycle Count Basics (Day 1)

Getting Assignments

1. Login to PDT
2. Menu > Cycle Count
3. Get daily assignments
4. Review locations list
5. Print count sheets (optional)

Counting Process

For each location:
1. Go to bin location
2. Scan bin barcode
3. Count all items in bin
4. Enter each SKU found:
   - Scan product
   - Enter quantity
   - Enter lot (if applicable)
   - Enter expiry (if applicable)
5. Confirm when complete
6. Move to next location

Module 2: Variance Resolution (Day 2)

Handling Variances

When count differs from system:
1. Recount to verify
2. Check nearby bins
3. Look for recent transactions
4. If variance confirmed:
   - Document reason
   - Take photos if needed
   - Submit for approval

Common Count Issues

- Product in wrong location
- Unrecorded moves
- Picking errors
- Receiving errors
- Damaged product not reported
- Mixed SKUs in bin

Module 3: Special Counts (Day 3)

Decimal Product Counts

1. Use calibrated scale
2. Tare container
3. Weigh product
4. Record to 0.01 precision
5. Note any moisture/temperature

High-Value Counts

Enhanced procedures:
1. Two-person verification
2. Count twice independently
3. Document serial numbers
4. Photo documentation
5. Immediate variance investigation

Administrator Training Guide

Module 1: System Administration (Week 1)

User Management

Creating Users:
1. Setup > System > Users > New
2. Enter user information
3. Assign role
4. Set permissions
5. Configure warehouse access
6. Set default printer
7. Generate password
8. Send credentials

System Configuration

Daily Tasks:
- Monitor Print Agent
- Check integration status
- Review error logs
- Clear stuck transactions

Weekly Tasks:
- User access audit
- Performance review
- Backup verification
- Update procedures

Module 2: Troubleshooting (Week 2)

Common Issues Resolution

Print Agent Issues:

1. Check Windows Services
2. Verify P4 Print Agent running
3. Check printer connections
4. Review print queue
5. Clear stuck jobs
6. Restart service if needed

Integration Failures:

1. Check API logs
2. Verify credentials
3. Test connectivity
4. Review error messages
5. Check data format
6. Retry failed transactions

Performance Issues:

1. Check server resources
2. Review slow queries
3. Check network latency
4. Clear cache
5. Restart services
6. Contact support if needed

Module 3: Reporting & Maintenance (Week 3)

Custom Reports

Creating SQL Reports:
1. Reports > Widgets > New
2. Write SQL query
3. Test with limited data
4. Add parameters
5. Format output
6. Save and share
7. Schedule if needed

System Maintenance

Monthly Tasks:
- Archive old data
- Clean up logs
- Update documentation
- Review configurations
- Test disaster recovery
- Update training materials

3PL Manager Training Guide

Module 1: Client Onboarding (Week 1)

New Client Setup

1. Create client profile
2. Configure billing profile
3. Assign warehouse space
4. Setup user accounts
5. Import products
6. Configure integrations
7. Test all processes
8. Train client users

Billing Configuration

Setting Rates:
- Receiving: per pallet/unit
- Storage: per pallet/day
- Picking: per order/line
- Value-added services
- Minimum charges
- Rush fees

Module 2: Client Management (Week 2)

Daily Operations

Morning Tasks:
- Review client orders
- Check inventory levels
- Monitor SLAs
- Address issues

Afternoon Tasks:
- Update clients
- Review performance
- Plan next day
- Document issues

Performance Monitoring

Client KPIs:
- Order accuracy: >99.5%
- Ship on time: >98%
- Inventory accuracy: >99%
- Damage rate: <0.5%
- Return rate: <2%

Module 3: Billing & Reporting (Week 3)

Monthly Billing Process

1. Run preliminary bills
2. Review all charges
3. Verify against activity
4. Make adjustments
5. Generate invoices
6. Client approval
7. Send final invoices
8. Track payments

Client Reporting

Standard Reports:
- Inventory summary
- Order activity
- Shipping performance
- Returns summary
- Billing detail
- KPI dashboard

Training Certification

Certification Requirements

Level 1: Basic Operator

Requirements:
- Complete role training
- Pass written test (80%)
- Demonstrate competency
- 40 hours supervised work
- Zero safety violations

Valid for: 1 year

Level 2: Advanced Operator

Requirements:
- Level 1 certification
- 6 months experience
- Cross-training complete
- Pass advanced test (85%)
- Train new employee

Valid for: 2 years

Level 3: Lead/Trainer

Requirements:
- Level 2 certification
- 1 year experience
- Complete train-the-trainer
- Create training materials
- Lead 5 training sessions

Valid for: 2 years

Competency Testing

Written Test Topics

- Safety procedures
- System navigation
- Process knowledge
- Error handling
- Quality standards
- Company policies

Practical Test Elements

- Perform key tasks
- Handle exceptions
- Use equipment safely
- Follow procedures
- Meet productivity standards
- Demonstrate accuracy

Training Records

Documentation Required:

For each trainee:
├── Training dates
├── Modules completed
├── Test scores
├── Practical evaluations
├── Trainer signatures
├── Certification dates
└── Re-certification schedule

Training Resources

Quick Reference Cards

Create laminated cards for:

  • Scanner key functions

  • Common error codes

  • Process checklists

  • Emergency contacts

  • Safety reminders

Video Library

Recommended videos:

  • System login process

  • Receiving procedures

  • Picking methods

  • Packing standards

  • Safety protocols

Practice Scenarios

Setup training data:

  • Test products (TRAIN-001 to TRAIN-100)

  • Test customers

  • Test orders

  • Test locations (TRAIN zone)

Evaluation Forms

Training Evaluation:

Rate 1-5:
- Content clarity
- Trainer effectiveness
- Hands-on practice
- Materials quality
- Time allocation
- Readiness to work

Remember: Good training is an investment in quality and efficiency. Take time to train properly, and maintain ongoing education as processes evolve.

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