There may be times when you need to process several packages together and it is inconvenient to process them independently.  For example, you may have to load a pallet or box with other packages that will no longer visible when the container is sealed.  Or, you may be transporting multiple packages through your organization and required to process them at different stops along the way. It can be extremely time consuming to scan each package individually at the processing station along your route just to create an audit trail.

Processing multiple packages can be simplified by creating a relationship between the packages. This relationship allows you to process a single package and have information automatically cascade to the related packages. The controlling package is called a pouch and the related packages are called satellite packages or satellites.

There are several important concepts to understand about pouching. Each time a pouch is processed, it's information is retrieved as well as the information for its satellite packages.  When a pouch is processed, new entries are created for the satellites in their history that will share location, user, and the timestamp of the pouch being processed. The satellite packages will continue to be updated by the pouch until they are processed directly, terminating the pouch relationship. You can associate many packages with a pouch, however, pouches cannot become satellites of other pouches.

To associate a package with a pouch, you must first scan the tracking ID that will become the pouch so it is in the Package Queue. Then, you can assign it as the pouch to any packages that you process or you want to become satellites of it. Any pouch relationship that the packages currently have will be replaced with the new pouch.