Configuring the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Integration

Configuring the Dynamics 365 Business Central integration involves configuring the Packing Shipments and Metapack Essential apps.

Packing Shipments

Configuring the Packing Shipments app involves the following:

Activating the app
Setting up the app

App activation

After installation of Packing Shipments and before any configuration has been done, a Packing Shipments Setup page is displayed in the Dynamics 365 Business Central web application.

Note

If there is another app (such as Metapack Essential) that depends on the Packing Shipments app, it should be activated first. Otherwise, it is not necessary to activate any other app before activating the Packing Shipments app.

Prerequisites

Before activating the Packing Shipments app, ensure that you have a licence key for the app.

Activation steps

To activate the Packing Shipments app, complete the following steps:

On the Packing Shipments Setup page, click Activate.

The Licensing Setup page is displayed.
In the Customer License Key field, enter your licence key for the app.
In the License Access field, enter the licence server URL or the file path of the licence file (whichever is applicable).

If using a licence server, an on-premise installation must permit web service traffic through the firewall.
Click Close.

Activation of the Packing Shipments app is now complete.

App setup

Setting up the Packing Shipments app involves reviewing and changing app-specific settings and Dynamics 365 Business Central settings.

Packing Shipments setup

If any mandatory configuration is missing, notifications will be displayed in the Role Center of Dynamics 365 Business Central. To access the main configuration settings of the Packing Shipments app, search for Packing Shipments Setup (administration).

The main configuration settings for the app are as follows.

Area	UI control type	UI control	Description	Settings/Usage
Navigation	Button	Locations	Displays the Location List page.	Use these locations to define packing stations.
		Container Types	Displays the Container Type List page.
		Packaging Users	Displays the Packing User List page.
		Job Queue	Configures the job queue Packing Shipments – Auto Posting task.	This task should be run frequently, such as every 30 minutes.
	Action	Software Website	Go to the software download location.	You might want to use this when installing the Packing Shipments app on remote workstations.
		License Key	Use this action if the licence details for the Packing Shipments app need to be changed.	Customer License Key and License Access/File.
		Deactivate	Use this action to deactivate the Packing Shipments app or any other apps that depend on it.
Fields	Editable	Item Packing Attribute	Specifies the grouping rule for packing.	Only items within the same group may be packed into the same container.
		Warehouse Picked	Determines whether packing of warehouse shipments should be allowed against the registered picked quantity or against the outstanding quantity.	On (registered picked quantity only) or Off (outstanding quantity - not recommended).
		Prompt Close Order	Determines when to ask the packing bench user to confirm closing the order.	Always, Remaining (only when there is an outstanding quantity to be packed), or Never.
		Length Unit	The unit of measurement for length.	Unit of measurement should match setting in the Metapack Essential app and the Metapack Platform.
		Weight Unit	The unit of measurement for weight.	Unit of measurement should match setting in the Metapack EsseMetapackntial app and the Platform.
		Volume Unit	The unit of measurement for volume.	Unit of measurement should match setting in the Metapack Essential app and the Metapack Platform.
		Package Number Series	The number series that will populate package document numbers automatically.
		Collection Number Series	The number series that will populate collection batch numbers automatically.
		Auto Post Job Maximum Minutes	The maximum number of minutes for which the automatic shipment posting job should run.	0 means within the number of minutes between runs.
		Retry Post Errors after Hours	Automatically retry posting of errored documents after the specified number of hours.	0 means do not automatically retry, so users will have to manually reset an order posting status from the dashboard.
		Auto Delete After Days	Automatically delete the finished consignment data (during the Auto Posting scheduled job) older than the specified number of days.	0 means never.
	Read only	Packing Stations	The number of valid packing stations associated with locations.
		Container Types	The number of valid container types that are not blocked.
		Users with Default Station	The number of users configured with a default packing station.
		Last Auto Delete Check	Date when the automatic deletion of finished consignments was last executed.
Pack Bench (page setup)	Button	Barcode 39 Font Name		Default: Libre Barcode 39 (provider: Google - no local font required).
		Barcode Font Size (points)		Minimum value: 9 Default value: 28
		Table Colour (around buttons)		Default: LightBlue
		Border Colour (active buttons)		Default: Blue

Note

Only valid HTML colours are permitted. For more information, go to HTML Color Codes.

Packing stations

A packing station is a space (on a bench) where products are checked, packed, and labelled for shipping. It will usually have a personal computer (remote machine) connected to one or more local printers for printing labels and other documents that need to go on/into packages.

Therefore, the system structure is as follows:

There is a “Location” (always start from here) that has “Packing Stations”.
Each packing station a specific “Remote Machine” (remote from the central system) with specific “Printers” used for producing labels and documents.

Note

The actual labels/documents that are output after the packing process, if any, will depend on the carrier integration used or on some internal requirement.

Configuration settings for locations, packing stations, and remote machines are as follows.

Area	UI control type	UI control	Description	Settings/Usage
Locations	Column	Packing Station (status)	Status of a packing station.	Possible values: (Blank) (In-transit location, so cannot have a packing station.) None (No packing stations defined for location.) Valid (There is at least one valid packing station for this location.) Invalid (There is a packing station for this location with an invalid setup.)
Locations	Navigation	Navigate	Packing Stations (CTRL+F9)	Displays the list of packing stations defined for a location.
Packing Stations	Column	Station Code	The unique code (within your organisation) for each station.
		Packing Documents	The types of documents where packing is required before shipment.	Possible values: Sales Orders Transfer Orders Both
		Manual Printing (check box)		Select this check box for a packing station only if no automatic printing is desired (so no remote machine is defined).
		Remote Machine	The name of the personal computer defined for a packing station.
		Output Type	Select the type of output.	Possible values: Label (Pdf) Documents (Full sheet)
		Printer Name	Search for the printer name that will be used to print the selected output type automatically.
Remote Machine	Field	IP Address	The public (if using SaaS version of Dynamics 365 Business Central) or local IP address of a personal computer associated with a packing station.
	Field	Port Number	The port number configured in the Local Access software (if an on-premise deployment).
	List	Authorization	Based on the security policy used by your organisation, select the protocol used for authentication.	Possible values: HTTP HTTPS None Note The Metapack Platform requires HTTPS.
	Action	Verify Connection		Clicking Verify Connection tests whether Dynamics 365 Business Central can connect to the Packing Shipments app running on the specified computer. If the connection test is successful, the Machine Name field is populated.

Automatic printing

To enable automatic printing from the packing system, complete the following steps:

Install the Local Access software with the Local Printing plugin on each packing station computer (remote machine) as follows:
1. On the Remote Machine List page, click Actions > Software Website.
2. Download the software.
3. Using administrator credentials, install the software.
4. Include any relevant port forwarding and local/network firewall rules.
5. Log out as administrator.
Using the Remote Machine settings in the table (above), define each packing station computer as a remote machine.

Container types

To access the container types settings of the Packing Shipments app, search for Container Types (administration).

Container types configuration settings are as follows.

New carrier module for D Express	D Express is a domestic delivery specialist for the Serbian market. The integration covers home and PUDO deliveries, it also has a Return service.
Delivery Manager	New carrier module for Gebruder Weiss
Gebruder Weiss is another Serbian delivery specialist which offers the "GW pro.line" domestic delivery service.	Delivery Manager
New carrier module for Bring	Bring a.k.a. Bring Parcels Norway offers six domestic services.
Delivery Manager	Container/package depth.
Height	Container/package height.
Tracking API is now at v1.0.1	Tracking API
Miscellaneous	Selecting this check box for a container/package type means that it cannot be used in the future packing of shipments.

Packing users

Several updates/enhancements to the DHL, DPD, TNT, Slovenská posta, Toll, MM Serbia, Chronopost, SF Express IBS, CitySprint, Sending, Hermes (Evri), Envialia, La Poste Colissimo, Australia Post, On the Dot and Yamato Japan carrier modules.

Several minor UI/UX improvements/bug fixes for Delivery Manager.

Delivery Manager	Description
User ID	New carrier module for CY Express
CY Express offers Home and To-a-store deliveries from the UK to Russia, excluding Crimea, with an automated customs clearance.	Delivery Manager
New carrier module for Seur	Seur offers domestic ShopToShop and ShopToHome shipping within Spain and international shipments to selected European Union countries.
Delivery Manager	New carrier module for Svetlana-K
Svetlana-K is now available for domestic deliveries with a standard service within the Russian market.	Delivery Manager
New carrier module for Xeroe	Xeroe allows domestic shipping in the United Kingdom. The carrier provides 100% emission-free deliveries through its main Standard service.

Delivery Manager

The Tracking API has its first 1.0.1 update with support for Spanish and German languages. For additional information about how to use this feature, please consult the Retrieve instructions at our Tracking API Reference in the Dev Centre .

New Feature for Delivery Manager	It is now possible to audit the changes to the Cut-off times. The information about which user made which changes and when can now be analyzed on demand.	Delivery Manager
New reports for Metapack Intelligence	Advanced versions of the "Fulfilment + Delivery time" and "Customer on-time delivery" dashboards are now available.	Metapack Intelligence
	Report Layout	Report layouts can be customised and then specified.
Item Units of Measure	Length	Unit of measurement should match setting in the Packing Shipments app and the Metapack Platform.
	Width	Unit of measurement should match setting in the Packing Shipments app and the Metapack Platform.
	Height	Unit of measurement should match setting in the Packing Shipments app and the Metapack Platform.
	Weight	Required. Unit of measurement should match setting in the Metapack Essential app and the Metapack Platform. Note If Item specifies Net Weight as the base unit of measurement, Item of Measure records will be updated automatically with their relevant weights.
Item Attribute	Item Packing Attribute	Depends on configuration of Item Packing Attribute of Packing Shipments Setup.
Item Identifiers	Barcodes

Metapack Essential

Configuring the Metapack Essential app involves the following:

Activating the app
Setting up the app

App activation

After installation of Metapack Essential and before any configuration has been done, a Metapack Setup page is displayed in the Dynamics 365 Business Central web application.

Note

It is not necessary to activate any other app before activating the Metapack Essential app.

Prerequisites

Before activating the Metapack Essential extension, ensure the following:

You have a licence key for this app.
You have login credentials for Metapack Delivery Manager.
Your Metapack shipper account must define your carrier service groups (each code must not exceed 10 characters), warehouses (shipping locations), carriers, carrier services, and allocation rules.

Activation steps

To activate the Metapack Essential app, complete the following steps:

On the Metapack Setup page, click Activate.

The Licensing Setup page is displayed.
In the Customer License Key field, enter your licence key for the app.
In the License Access field, enter the licence server URL or the file path of the licence file (whichever is applicable).

If using a licence server, an on-premise installation must permit web service traffic through the firewall.
Click Close.

The Web Interface Setups page is displayed. The Metapack SOAP Shipping API should be listed.
Click Manage.

The settings for the SOAP API are displayed.
In the Definitions Webpage field, change dm-delta to your organisation’s prefix.
In the Username and Password fields, enter your login credentials for Delivery Manager.
Click Close.

Activation of the Metapack Essential app is now complete.

App setup

Setting up the Metapack Essential app involves reviewing and changing Metapack-specific settings and Dynamics 365 Business Central settings.

Metapack settings

If any mandatory configuration is missing, notifications will be displayed in the Role Center of Dynamics 365 Business Central. To access the configuration settings of the Metapack Essential app, search for Metapack Setup (administration).

The Metapack configuration settings for the app are as follows.

Area	UI control type	UI control	Description	Settings/usage
Navigation	Button	Packing Shipments	This relates to the Packing Shipments app, which is also part of this integration.	Ensure that that the Length Unit and Weight Unit settings are configured correctly because the units will be converted automatically for Metapack, if necessary.
		Shipment Methods	Displays the Shipment Methods list page.	This page has a Trade Term column, which is selected when a code is valid for use with Metapack.
		Job Queue	Configures the job queue Metapack Essential - Synchronize task.	This task should be run once daily when a warehouse is not operating.
	Action	Shipping Agent	Displays the Metapack shipping agent, which was created automatically. Shipping Agent Services are added automatically from Metapack Service Groups.	If the carrier service groups defined in your Metapack shipper account are changed, they must be refreshed here.
		Web Interface	Use this action to change your login credentials for Delivery Manager.	Username and Password.
		License Key	Use this action if the licence details for the Metapack Essential app need to be changed.	Customer License Key and License Access/File.
Fields	Editable	Activated Module		Setting this to None deactivates the app.
		Default Shipment Content Type	The type of goods in a consignment.	By default, this should be set to Merchandise.
		Default Trade Terms	Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) are a series of three-letter combinations that define the trade terms of buyers and sellers in international deliveries. They communicate clearly where the responsibility lies at each stage of the delivery process.	These terms will be used if Shipment Method is not defined for an order.
		Fabric Content Attribute	If shipping textiles to another country, you must specify the materials as accurately as possible. For example, cotton, wool, and so on.
		Group Batch Size	The batch size used when assigning consignments to a collection/manifest group.	Default value: 12.
	Read only	Interface Code	The code of the Web Interface Setups record for the the Metapack integration.
		Shipping Agent Code	Defines the initial Shipping Agent defined for orders to identify them as needing the Metapack integration, along with a Shipping Agent Service.	These codes can also be defaulted on the Customer record.
		Groups Mapped	The number of Shipping Agent Services created automatically against the shipping agent (above) for the Metapack groups.
		Warehouses Mapped	The number of warehouses in your Metapack shipper account mapped to Locations (see below).
		Carriers Mapped	The number carriers in your Metapack shipper account mapped to Shipping Agents (see below).
Tables	Tabs	Warehouse Mapping	Displays all warehouse codes defined in your shipper account.	Each warehouse must be mapped to a Location Code, which can be an inventory location, such as a store, or a Business Central warehousing location. By default, the Require Document Print check box is selected. This check box can be cleared only if customs documents never have to be printed. The Packing Station of a warehouse code must be Valid before it can be used.
		(Related)	Packing Stations (CTRL+F9) Displays the list of packing stations defined for a warehouse code.
		Carrier Mapping	Displays all carrier codes defined in your Metapack shipper account.	If there is already an existing shipping agent record, the Shipping Agent Code must be set. Otherwise, whenever a carrier is selected in the Metapack Platform to be used for an order, the shipping agent record will be created automatically. There is no need to create any Shipping Agent Services manually because they will be created automatically.
		Defined Operations (read only)	Lists the SOAP Shipping API methods being used.

Dynamics 365 Business Central settings

Standard Dynamics 365 Business Central configuration settings relevant for the Essential app are as follows.

Area	Settings	Description
Users	User group	Each user of the Metapack Essential app must belong to the Metapack user group.
Item (required fields)	Item Category Code	(Required field.)
	Commodity Code	(Required field.)
	Country/Region of Origin	(Required field.)
Item Units of Measure	Length	Unit of measurement should match setting in the Metapack Platform.
	Width	Unit of measurement should match setting in the Metapack Platform.
	Height	Unit of measurement should match setting in the Metapack Platform.
	Weight	Required. Note If Item specifies Net Weight as the base unit of measurement, Item of Measure records will be updated automatically with their relevant weights.
Item Attributes	Item Packing Attribute	Depends on configuration of Item Packing Attribute of Packing Shipments Setup.
Item Attributes	Fabric Content Attribute	Depends on configuration of Fabric Content Attribute of Metapack Setup.
Locations	Location List (page)	Page will display a Metapack Warehouse (mapped) column. Note A location must have a valid Packing Station defined before packing can be done.
Customer (records) - Shipment Method	Code	If this field is not set to an Incoterm (International Commercial Term) supported by the Metapack Platform, an error will be returned during the consignment creation process.
	Agent	Before an order is created, this field of a customer record must be set to Metapack or else left blank.
	Agent Service	Before an order is created, this field of a customer record must be set to Standard or else left blank.