Inventory > Setup > Alternate Stock Codes

Alternate Stock Codes

You use this program to create a link between stock codes whereby one item can be used as a substitute for another when a shortage of the primary stock item occurs.

Alternate Stock Codes

Field Description
Functions  
Select Warehouse

By default, the warehouse for the alternate stock code is not displayed in the listview, as the alternate code may be stocked in various warehouses.

Indicate the warehouse(s) for which you want to display the Warehouse code, Quantity available and Quantity on hand for the alternate stock code.

The warehouse selected is only for the purpose of showing quantities and not for filtering the stock codes themselves.

On the listview, the Warehouse column is blank for stock codes that do not exist in the warehouse you selected.
New Select this icon to add a new alternate stock code.
Delete Select this icon to delete the entry currently highlighted in the listview.
Save Select this icon to save any changes you made.
Stock code

Indicate the primary stock item for which you want to assign a substitute.

Alternate Stock Codes Maintenance

When you select the Alternate Stock Codes program, the currently defined alternate stock codes are displayed in a listview.

If you selected to view information for a Single warehouse, then the warehouse code you selected is displayed in the listview, together with the quantity available and quantity on hand for the alternate stock code in that warehouse. These details are only displayed if the alternate stock code is stocked in the selected warehouse.

The Warehouse column is blank for stock codes that do not exist in the warehouse you selected.

You can print or query alternate stock codes in the following programs:

Field Description
Alternate stock code

Assign an alternate stock code for the primary stock code entered at the start of the program.

[Note]

  • If you enter a stock code that does not currently exist on file, then you are given the opportunity to 'add' this code. However, this merely creates a link between this 'new code' and the Stock code for which you are adding alternate codes. It does not create the actual alternate stock code.

    The listview displays this 'new code' with a description of 'Non stocked' and without a warehouse allocation.

    You must use the Stock Code Maintenance program to create the 'new code' as a legitimate stock item and link it to at least one warehouse before you can use it in the system (e.g. in Sales Order Entry).

    Once you have added the 'new code' as a legitimate stock item and linked it to a warehouse, you can use the Select Warehouse option from the Functions menu to select a warehouse in which the alternate item is stocked. The listview then displays the Warehouse, Quantity on hand and Quantity available of the alternate item in the selected warehouse.
Description This indicates the description assigned to the alternate stock code.
Long description This indicates the long description assigned to the alternate stock code.
Priority

Indicate the sequence in which the alternate stock codes should be used when there is insufficient stock of the main item. This will only take effect if FIFO valuation is not being used.

Priority can only be assigned to stocked items.

Duplicate priorities can be used, where alternate stock codes will be applied in alphabetical sequence.

Kit items cannot be used.
Conversion factor Enter the conversion factor to apply when the stocking unit of measure of the alternate stock code is not the same as the stocking unit of measure of the original stock code. All calculations for alternate stock codes are done in the stocking unit of measure of the respective stock code.

For example:

If an order is placed for 60 EA of A100, the quantity required from the alternate stock code is 0.5 CASE of B100:

Original stock code = A100

Stocking UOM = BOX (1 BOX = 12 EA)

Alternate UOM = EA

Alternate stock code = B100

Stocking UOM = CASE (1 CASE = 10 BOXES)

Alternate UOM = BOX

Conversion factor = 10 Divide (1 BOX of A100 = 0.1 CASE of B100)

60 EA (A100) = 5 BOX (B100) (60/12) - converting to stocking UOM of A100

5 BOX (B100) = 0.5 CASE (B100) - converting to stocking UOM of B100

An alternate stock code line will be added to the sales order for a 0.5 CASE of B100.
Conversion method Multiply or divide the alternate stock code stocking unit of measure by the conversion factor to convert it to the original stock code stocking unit of measure.
Warehouse This indicates the warehouse for the alternate stock code. This is only displayed if you selected to view a single warehouse.
Quantity on hand This indicates the quantity of the alternate stock code which is on hand in the warehouse. This is only displayed if you selected to view a single warehouse.
Quantity available This indicates the quantity of the alternate stock code which is available in the warehouse. This is only displayed if you selected to view a single warehouse.

Notes and warnings

Restrictions and limits

  • Although you can use this program to create a link to an alternate stock item that does not exist, you will need to use the Stock Code Maintenance program to create the alternate item before it can be used in the system.