Packaging File - FIL 11
Example Packaging File Records
The Packaging Class File is a file where you enter every unit of measure that an item quantity can be represented in, including weight. When done correctly, this should create an unbroken chain allowing the system to get from any unit of measure to any other. For items such as adhesives, we recommend you enter the spread rate for the adhesives. This way, in order entry, the customer service person can enter the SF and convert back to, for example, how many gallons needed to cover the amount of SF.
The Packaging File establishes packaging and conversion factors called packaging classes, that can be assigned to groups of items. Items with identical packaging conversions can be assigned to the same packaging class, and when the packaging conversions change, only the Packaging File needs to be updated. Packaging classes are assigned to items with the Item File Maintenance Program. Packaging information can also be entered on an item-by-item basis. However, the use of packaging classes is the more effective method.
- Enter the packaging information or conversion factors.
- Enter the quantity and a unit of measure equivalent to the second unit of measure.
- Enter the description of the packaging code. For example, you can enter the items or group of items to which this packaging information applies.
- If you want the first two Packaging File entries to print on invoices, enter Y in response to the question. Otherwise, leave blank or enter N.
You can use the units of measure as suggested in the above screen or you can define your own two-character codes. Once you define the code and enter a factor for converting to it, you can buy, sell, quote, and inquire in that unit of measure. The system recognizes the following standard codes: CT for cartons, PC for pieces, LB for pounds, KG for kilograms, SF for square feet, SY for square yard, and EA for each. If you use any or all of these units of measure, use the standard codes.
For example, a CT has 12.90000 SF. You don't need to enter a conversion for every combination of units of measure, because as long as one conversion is linked to another, the conversion can be made. For example, if you enter 10 PC per SF and 5 SF per CT, you do not have to enter 50 PC per CT, because the system can calculate the conversion from PC to CT by linking the first two conversions.
If you enter Y the first two entries print on the invoice beneath the item description. This option is separate for each packaging record. This entry can be helpful information for the customers purchasing certain products.
Recommended Guidelines
- Different types of products will require different conversions. Here are some recommended guidelines:
- For wood and ceramic tile, include the conversion for PC per SF, PC per CT, and LB per CT.
- For wood and ceramic trim accessories, include conversions for PC per CT and LB per CT.
- For imported wood and ceramics also include conversion for SF per M2 (square meters).
- For installation products that are used with products that have area measurements (such as carpet, vinyl, wood, ceramic, and laminates) enter EA per CT, QT per EA or GL per EA (volume), and so on. Also enter SF or SY per EA to indicate how much can be installed with each unit of this product, sometimes referred to as spread rate.
- For carpet and vinyl sheet goods, enter SY per RL (average SY per roll) and LB per SY. Do not enter conversions for feet and inches, SF, and so on, because these conversion factors are calculated automatically when items are set up on the Item Master File as rolled goods.
- Enter the conversion to LB or KG in all packaging classes.
- For carpet pad or cushion, enter SY per RL, LF (lineal feet) per RL, and LB per RL. Carpet pad/cushion is not treated like rolled goods, because it is sold by the full roll only, and is not defined in the item master as rolled goods. However, if you do offer cuts you may need to define and treat them as regular rolled goods.
- For marble and stone slabs enter LB per SF and SF per SL (average size per slab), but do not enter conversion for PC or EA, because each piece can be a different size. For slabs, the system captures the actual SF per PC on each receipt. If you are importing also enter SF per M2 for square meters.
- Pick lists support dual level units of measure, including cartons plus pieces, pallets plus cartons, feet plus inches, bundles plus square feet and so on.
- Each item can be assigned up to seven units of measure. Most system functions, such as Order Entry, Receiving, Inventory Inquiry, Adjustments, Purchasing, Invoicing and Sales Analysis can be done in any of the assigned units of measures.
- Each item can have it's own set of conversion factors that allow quantities and costs to be converted from one unit of measure to another. Items can also be grouped together into Packaging Classes and share conversion factors. For example, a group of products sharing the same conversion factors should be assigned a Packaging Class for more efficient management of this information.
- The Build-A-Container system (used for importing) allows you to establish up to six additional units of measures (over and above the usual seven per item) for the purpose of purchasing.
- Rolled Goods automatically convert between lineal inches, feet plus inches, decimal lineal feet, square yards, square meters and square feet. In addition, you can assign up to six additional units of measure such as average roll size, lineal yard, lineal meter, weight and cube per square yard.
- Ceramic tile products can be converted to and from square feet, square meters, packs, cartons, pieces, sheets and strips.
- Natural stone products can be inventoried in tiles and slabs. Slabs can be individually sized by length, height and area.
- Picking, loading, and delivery systems support conversion to weight and cubes.
- Suppliers can be assigned to their own preferred units of measure by product, for the purpose of EDI and purchasing.
- Customers can be assigned to their own preferred units of measure by product, for the purpose of EDI and invoicing.
- All EDI applications allow for complete customization to a partner's unit of measure requirements.
- Each item can have multiple internal unit of measure preferences, including preferred pricing UM, preferred pick UM and preferred sales UM. For example, you could have a product that is priced by SF, picked by carton but sold only in half-pallet increments.
Example Packaging File Records
The following examples show the units of measure recommended for each type of product.
Ceramic Tile and Wood
Carpet
Ceramic Trim Sold in Strips
Adhesive
Carpet Pad/Cushion
