A Container Group Name (formerly known as Container Canonical Name) is a standardized descriptor in ConnectSx Beacon used to group identical container archetypes—such as surgical trays, instrument sets, or implant kits—under a single recognizable name.
While every physical container in your inventory requires a unique catalog number for tracking purposes, Container Group Names allow your organization to manage sets by their common configuration rather than individual SKUs. This distinction bridges the gap between how medical device inventory is tracked in the warehouse and how it is referenced by field representatives, distributors, and surgical staff.
What is a Container Group Name?
In medical device logistics, manufacturers and distributors often maintain dozens of physical containers built to the exact same Bill of Materials (BOM) or template (e.g., 20 identical "Spine Set #1: Instrumentation" trays).
Requiring field representatives to search for or request a specific individual container's catalog number creates unnecessary friction and fulfillment delays.
Container Group Names solve this by establishing an archetype label for all containers sharing the same configuration.
Data Point | Container Catalog Number | Container Group Name |
Definition | Unique identifier assigned to a specific physical container SKU. | Shared descriptor representing a container archetype or template. |
Uniqueness | Must be 100% unique per container record in the system. | Shared across all containers matching the same configuration. |
Primary Use | Serialized tracking, physical inventory audits, and transfers. | Searching, inventory requests, product line building, and fulfillment. |
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How Container Group Names Drive Operational Efficiency
Leveraging Container Group Names across ConnectSx Beacon streamlines logistics, reduces administrative overhead, and minimizes error across several key workflows:
1. Simplified Field Requests
Search by Archetype: Field representatives can search for containers using conversational archetype names (e.g., "ACL Instrument Tray") instead of searching for individual catalog numbers.
Clean Search Results: In the Create Request modal (under the Devices/Containers/Packs option), searching by Group Name displays a single consolidated row for that archetype rather than cluttering the screen with dozens of identical individual container SKUs.
Case-Insensitive Searching: Search queries automatically ignore capitalization differences to ensure users find the correct set instantly.
2. Flexible Fulfillment for Operations
Fulfiller Choice: When a field user requests a set by Container Group Name, the system stores the general archetype request. The warehouse or operations team can fulfill the request by selecting any available physical container matching that Group Name.
Clear Identification: On Request Detail pages and Pick List PDFs, requested items display with a distinct Container chip and display in a
Container Group Name (Catalog #)format once fulfilled.
3. Complete Product Line Definitions
Archetype Mapping: Organizations can build complete product line requirements by linking Container Group Names to Product Lines.
Standardized Kits: For example, a complete spine system might require "Spine Set 1/3", "Spine Set 2/3", and "Spine Set 3/3". Assigning these Group Names to the Product Line ensures that whenever a full product line is requested, the system automatically prompts the fulfillment team to include every required tray archetype.
4. Clear Visual Identification ("Group" Badge)
Read-Only Visual Indicators: To prevent confusion between a shared archetype name and a single catalog SKU, Beacon displays a small gray Group badge directly next to read-only Container Group Name values across the platform.
Widespread Visibility: This visual indicator appears across primary read-only displays, including Requested Inventory tables, Fulfillment tables, Fulfilled by Transfer tables, auto-select requested items modals, and Create Request search results.
5. Enhanced Inventory Filtering & Reporting
Catalog & Inventory Columns: Container Group Names display as a dedicated column on both the All Inventory page (Containers tab) and the Catalog Items page (Containers tab).
Dedicated Filters: Users can filter container inventory and catalog records using dedicated Container Group Name dropdowns to review stock levels by set type.
Column Sorting: Device lists on Inventory Requests and Transfers can be sorted by Container Group Name (
catalog.canonicalName) to group similar sets together during review.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Container Group Names
Step 1: Assign Group Names in the Catalog
Navigate to Inventory > Catalog Items and select the Containers tab.
Open an existing container catalog record or click New Catalog Item (selecting
Containeras the device type).Locate the Container Group Name (formerly Container Canonical Name) field.
Use the type-ahead dropdown to select an existing Group Name or type a new one.
Hover over the helper tooltip (
?) for guidance: "Select an existing canonical name or type a new one. New names are saved when you save."Click Save to apply the archetype to the container catalog record.
Step 2: Associate Group Names with Product Lines
Navigate to Inventory > Product Lines and open the relevant product line detail page.
Scroll to the Containers/Devices Required to Fulfill this Product Line section.
Search for and select the Container Group Names required to complete a full product shipment.
Click Save.
Step 3: Request and Fulfill Sets in Daily Operations
Field Request: When initiating an inventory request, select Devices/Containers/Packs, type the Group Name, and select the grouped result row.
Operations Fulfillment: The operations user opens the request, views the requested Container Group Name (marked with the Container and Group badges), and selects any available matching physical container SKU to ship.
Best Practices for Data Hygiene
Establish Standard Naming Conventions: Adopt a uniform structure across your organization (e.g.,
[Product System] + [Set Number/Total] + [Descriptor], such asApex Spine 1/3: Implants).Utilize Type-Ahead Selection: Always use the type-ahead dropdown when editing container records to prevent slight typos or duplicate entries (e.g., avoiding "Genesis Implants" vs. "Genesis implants").
Align with Bills of Materials (BOMs): Pair Container Group Names with container Bills of Materials so that every container assigned to a Group Name shares the same stocking template and par levels.