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Microsoft Dynamics AX (Archived)

External Codes Vs External Item Descriptions

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Hi, I am new to AX and I am just wondering if there is any functionality behind External codes that i am missing, or are they simple references?

I understand the external Item descriptions are either customer or vendor's own codes (depending where they are set-up) but you can also have External codes in the same place and I am unsure what the difference is. If someone could explain or point me to some documentation I would be grateful.

 

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  • Suggested answer
    Re: External Codes Vs External Item Descriptions

    From help:

    "Use this form to set up, define, and maintain external codes for different fields that are used to send and receive documents electronically through Application Integration Framework (AIF).

    The fields for which you can define codes differ depending on where the form is accessed from. For example, if you open this form from the Item form, you can define external codes for the company's own item numbers. If you open the form from the Customers form, you can define external codes for the company's customer account numbers. "

    They are basically simple references but can be used by AIF.

    Customer / vendor external item descriptions are used to reference said items, basically specific to items only.  They can be used to print on various Reports like purchase order, packing slip or even invoice.

    Hope this helps.

    Kind regards.

    EDIT:  Sorry - did not see all the replies after the original post.  You can only create 1:1 customer / vendor item descriptions per item.  Modification needed.

  • Re: External Codes Vs External Item Descriptions

    Why you are not using NameAlias? Wherever you have to put value in ItemId field, you can use ItemId or NameAlias

  • Re: External Codes Vs External Item Descriptions

    We had this same need and had to make a customization to handle it.  Neither External item descriptions or External codes will handle this for you.

  • Re: External Codes Vs External Item Descriptions

    Thanks Michelle, the reason for the question is I need to set-up a list of Alias codes against a product, for example product number AA1234 might also be known within the company as a ZZ789 or 45678, is this possible? This wouldn't be a customer or vendor code just a different code for the same product..

  • Re: External Codes Vs External Item Descriptions

    External Codes are used with the Intercompany functionality.  If you have two company accounts in your environment, company A can purchase an item from company B and have the Sales order in company B automatically created.  The External codes link company A's item number to company B's item number.  External codes are also used for this same purpose on Vendor accounts, Customer accounts, Delivery Terms, Modes of delivery, etc.

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