Chapter 26: Working with SKUs

Purpose: A SKU (stock keeping unit) is used to further define an item. An item that is sold in multiple colors and sizes is often represented by a base item number, which is common to all of the colors and sizes, and a SKU, which specifically defines the color and or size. For example, the base item number for a dress might be 9201, and the SKUs associated with that item number might be RED SML, RED MED, RED LRG, BLUE SML, BLUE MED, and BLUE LRG.

All functions accessible at the base item level are accessible at the SKU level, including offers, warehouses, sets, serial numbers and comments. Information entered at the SKU level overrides information defined at the base item level.

In this chapter:

• SKU Types

• Split SKU Elements

• SKU Groups

• SKU Sort Sequence Numbers

• SKU Generator

• Work with SKUs Screen

• Change SKU Screen

• Display SKU Screen

SKU Types

There are two types of SKUs used by the system: Split SKU and non-split SKU. Before creating a SKU, you must decide which type of SKU to use.

• A split SKU uses up to three 4-position fields to define the base item. These fields are referred to as the SKU elements. If the majority of your SKUed items have two or more descriptive characteristics (color and size), you might want to use the split SKU option.

• A non-split SKU uses one 14-position field to further define the base item. If the majority of your SKUed items only have one descriptive characteristic (for example, pierced or clip earrings), you might want to use the non-split SKU option.

Split SKU Elements

The elements of the Split SKU are defined in the System Control file. There are three elements used in the Split SKU environment. Typically, these elements are used to represent size, color and width for items of apparel; however, you can define the elements to meet your particular requirements. Once you set up the elements in the System Control file, you will be prompted for this information throughout the system.

SKU Groups

A SKU Group can be assigned to an item in the Item file and is used to define the standard sizes or colors in which items are sold. You can use Working with SKU Groups (WISG) to create groups to facilitate data entry Using the SKU Generator (ESKG).

For example, a SKU group can be defined for a particular manufacturer's product line for dresses. You can define an Item SKU Group for dress size. For example, the Item SKU Group 001 could be set up for dresses and would list the sizes in which these dresses are available (4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, regular and petite).

SKU Sort Sequence Numbers

SKU sort sequence numbers are numbers used to determine the order in which SKUs sort.

You can use the sort sequence to display SKUs in a different order, such as by size, rather than alphanumerically by SKU code. See SKU Sort Sequence Numbers for an overview.

SKU Generator

The SKU Generator is used to create all the SKUs for an item automatically. Once you define the item and the SKU group, you can run the SKU generator to automatically build all the SKU records.

When generating SKUs for an item, you can accept the defaults as defined in the SKU Groups or you can add or subtract individual SKUs.

For more information about SKU elements, SKU groups and the SKU generator, see Part D: Setting up Split SKUs.

Note: Before you can work with SKUs, you must create the SKU information on the system. You can create SKUs by pressing F6 at the Work with SKUs Screen.

Work with SKUs Screen

Purpose: Use this screen to create, change, delete and display related records for a base item.

How to display this screen: At the Work with Items Screen, enter 7 next to a SKU’d item (the SKU field is set to Y).

INR0022 DISPLAY Work with SKUs 11/06/06 14:24:00 EZK Mail Order Item . : SHEETS SHEET SET |-- Long SKU ---| Opt COLR SIZE WDTH Description Color Size Width Type options, press Enter. 2=Chnge 4=Dlt 5=Disp 8=Vndr Itm 10=Ofrs 11=Info 13=Whses 14=Cont 15=Sets 16=F Goods 17=Var sets 18=Ser nbrs 19=Comments 24=Attr 28=UPC EGG FULL EGGSHELL FULL EGG KING EGGSHELL KING EGG QUEE EGGSHELL QUEEN EGG TWIN EGGSHELL TWIN NAT FULL NATURAL FULL NAT KING NATURAL KING NAT QUEE NATURAL QUEEN NAT TWIN NATURAL TWIN WHIT FULL WHITE FULL + F3=Exit F6=Create F12=Cancel F14=Supporting file maint F21=Print list F23=More Options

Field	Description
Item	The item code and item description whose SKUs you are reviewing. Item code: Alphanumeric, 12 positions; display-only. Item description: Alphanumeric, 40 positions; display-only.
Colr (Color)	The color of the item/SKU. Note: “Colr” represents SKU Element 1, which is user-defined at the System Control file. Color is used for sample purposes only. If using full SKU If you use full, rather than split, SKUs, this screen displays one continuous SKU field rather than three SKU elements. Split SKU: alphanumeric, 4 positions; optional. Full SKU: alphanumeric, 14 positions; optional.
Size	The size of the item/SKU. Note: “Size” represents SKU Element 2, which is user-defined at the System Control file. Size is used for sample purposes only. Alphanumeric, 4 positions; optional.
Othr (Other)	The other characteristic of the item/SKU. Note: “Othr” represents SKU Element 3, which is user-defined at the System Control file. Other is used for sample purposes only. Alphanumeric, 4 positions; optional.
Description	The description of the SKU. Alphanumeric, 40 positions; optional.
Color, Size, Width	The long SKU elements (L/S Color, L/S Size, L/S Width) used to further define the item, typically for reporting purposes. Alphanumeric, one 14 position field (full SKU) or three 4 position fields (split SKU); optional.

Screen Option	Procedure
Create a SKU	Press F6 to advance to the Create SKU 1 of 2 (With Overrides) Screen.
Change SKU information	Enter 2 next to a SKU to advance to the Change SKU Screen.
Delete SKU information	Enter 4 next to a SKU to delete it. Note: If you delete a SKU, the following dependent files are deleted: • Item warehouse • Kit/Kit details • Lot • Serial number • Set/Set details • SKU comments • SKU offer • Variable set/Variable set group/Variable set details • Vendor item • House list SKU
Display SKU information	Enter 5 next to a SKU to advance to the Display SKU Screen.
Vendor Item	Enter 8 next to a SKU to advance to the Work with Vendor Item Screen.
Offers	Enter 10 next to a SKU to advance to the Work with SKU Offers Screen.
SKU Information	Enter 11 next to a SKU to advance to the Work with Item Information Screen.
Warehouse	Enter 13 next to a SKU to display the Work with Item Warehouse Screen.
Continuity Sets	Enter 14 next to a SKU to display the Work with Continuity Items Screen.
Sets	Enter 15 next to a SKU to display the Work with Sets Screen.
Finished goods	Enter 16 next to a SKU to display the Work with Finished Goods Screen.
Variable Sets	Enter 17 next to a SKU to display the Work with Variable Sets Screen.
Serial numbers	Enter 18 next to a SKU to display the Work with Serial Numbers Screen.
Comments	Enter 19 next to a SKU to display the Work with Item/SKU Comments Screen.
Item attribute assignment	Enter 24 next to a SKU to advance to the Work with Item Attribute Assignment Screen.
UPC codes	Enter 28 next to a SKU to advance to the Work with UPC Codes Screen.
Retail Price Change History	Enter 31 next to a SKU to advance to the Retail Price Change History Summary Screen.
Add, delete, or review SKU cross reference codes between a CWDirect SKU and an external system, such as a retail outlet.	Enter 34 next to an SKU to advance to the Work with SKU Cross Reference # Screen.
Review changes to a SKU’s cost	Enter 35 next to a SKU to advance to the First Display Cost Change Audit Screen. See Reviewing Item/SKU Cost History for more information on tracking cost history.
Work with user defined fields	Enter 98 next to a customer to advance to the Work with User Fields Screen.
Supporting file maintenance	Press F14 to advance to supporting file maintenance. See Part A: Setting Up the Item Supporting Files.

Change SKU Screen

To change: Enter 2 next to a SKU at the Work with SKUs Screen to advance to the Change SKU screen. At this screen you can change any information except the SKU. See Create SKU 1 of 2 (With Overrides) Screen for field descriptions.

Display SKU Screen

To display: Enter 5 next to a SKU at the Work with SKUs Screen to advance to the Display SKU screen. You cannot change any information on this screen. See Create SKU 1 of 2 (With Overrides) Screen for field descriptions.