Dynamics Community Forum Thread Details

Item Number Code Creation Strategy‏

Hi,

We are starting an e-commerce business and use GP as our ERP.

I am wondering what would be the right strategy to use for item number code creation.

We plan on stocking items that are very similar but manufactured by different companies.

We also plan on stocking items with various colors, size, weight etc...

I am wondering what is the right way to structure our item code number list.

Right now I am thinking of using the following

Lets take an example of a duracell battery:

DURBAT0001

1) The first three letters of the code represent the brand of the product.

2) The next three letters represent the type of product

3 The last four numbers are just numerals in the case that we stock many batteries from the same brand.

I have still not figured out what would be the best way to deal with sizes, colors and weight.

Should we intergrate those parameters in our item codes or should they be treated in the item card in the description?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

David, the cardinal rule in Item Number strategy is Form, Fit, and Function. Let's say you have multiple similar items. If they differ in form, fit, or function, separate item numbers are required. Colors complicate the issue a little in that a green widget might perfectly replace a blue widget in form, fit, and function but the customer wouldn't like a green widget bolted to their blue gizmo. If a blue widget is required, I'd make blue widgets and green widgets separate item numbers.

Also, let's start with the end in mind. What do you want to appear on the sales order? Is it important that the Item Number be descriptive to those placing or processing orders or does it not matter at all? If it doesn't matter, you could conceivably start with Item Number 0000001 and just make Item Numbers sequential and utilize descriptions to differentiate. However, another issue then arises - do your vendors require you use their item numbers for use on purchase orders? If so, would it make sense to use your vendor item numbers as your own?

There are so many variables surrounding this issue. That's why GP provides the capability to have 1. Your Item Number, 2. Item/Vendor Number, 3. Customer/Item Number, and 4. Multiple Manufacturer Item Numbers; all linked to Your Item Number so that you can use Your Item Number for stocking purposes, the Customer Item Number for use on sales orders, the Item/Vendor Number for use on purchase orders, and the Manufacturer's Item Number in case you need to specify an item from a particular manufacturer on the vendor PO.

Additionally, for internal ID purposes, you can use Item Class, and in the Options window of the Item Card, you can identify up to 6 sub-categories of items.

I hope this helps more than confuses,

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