Creating a capacity limit is only the first step. To actually start tracking and capping your volume, you need to assign that limit to your shipment rules.
Note: Your capacity limits will only count volume allocated through rules that have the capacity limit explicitly attached to them. If volume is allocated to a carrier via a different rule that does not have the capacity limit selected, that volume will not be counted against the capacity limit. To ensure accurate data, make sure you attach the capacity limit to every relevant rule for that carrier.
Step 1: Open your shipment rules
Navigate to your Rules page. You can either create a new rule or click on an existing rule to edit.
Keep in mind that adding a capacity limit to a rule serves two purposes:
To count volume: You must attach a capacity limit to a rule simply to track the volume it allocates against your daily targets.
To enforce a cap: Once attached, you can optionally configure the rule to enforce a hard cap and stop allocating when the maximum limit is met.
Step 2: Assign the capacity limit
Within the rule, locate the allocation section where you select your carrier and service. You will see a new option to attach a Shipping Capacity Limit. This is an optional field.
Select the relevant capacity limit from the dropdown menu. This list will be automatically filtered based on the carrier you chose above it.
Step 3: Choose your logic
Once you select a capacity limit, you must decide how the rule should behave when the maximum cap is reached. Using the checkbox, you can choose to either:
Skip the rule once the cap set on the capacity limit is met.
Do not skip the rule when the cap is met, but continue counting each allocation against the capacity limit.
Tip: By giving you the option to skip or not skip, you can use capacity limits on niche rules that do not require enforced caps, while still ensuring their volume is accurately counted toward your overall daily limits.
Step 4: Set up a fallback rule (Crucial)
If you select to skip the rule once a capacity limit reaches its Maximum (cap), the shipment rule will automatically be "Skipped" for the remainder of the dispatch cycle.
To ensure your shipments aren't left stranded, you should set up a "fallback" rule placed beneath it in your rules list.
Example: Rule 1 routes to DPD Next Day (Cap: 1,000). Rule 2 routes to Evri Next Day (No cap). Once DPD reaches 1,000 shipments, Rule 1 turns off, and subsequent shipments will automatically cascade down and be allocated to Evri.
Important: If a shipment triggers a rule that has maxed out its capacity, and there is no fallback rule set up below it, the shipment will fail to allocate and will require manual intervention.