Using the SKU Generator (ESKG)
Purpose: The SKU generator creates SKUs for an item by allowing you to specify the valid SKU elements (for example, size, color and width) and using them to create an array of valid SKU combinations.
You can use the SKU generator repeatedly for the same item. For example, if you initially create SKUs for an item in one color with various sizes, and later determine that the item is available in a second color, you can create SKUs for the new color and sizes.
SKU groups: You can use SKU groups to facilitate SKU building by reducing data entry. SKU groups allow you to define common sizes, etc. for types of items.
When generating SKUs for an item, you can accept the defaults as defined in a SKU groups, or you can add or subtract individual SKUs.
Create SKU Offers? The Automatically Create SKU Offers (J71) system control value indicates whether the SKU generator automatically creates SKU Offers and single-unit SKU Prices based on current or future Item Offers and Item Prices. See that system control value for more information.
In this chapter:
• SKU Generator Prompt Screen (Selecting an Item)
• SKU Generator Screen (Entering SKU Information)
• Work with SKU Generator Screen
• Enter SKU Base Information Pop-Up Window
• Create SKU Generator Screen (Creating Individual SKUs)
SKU Generator Prompt Screen (Selecting an Item)
Purpose: Use this screen to select an item and begin the process of generating SKUs.
How to display this screen: Enter ESKG in the Fast path field at the top of any menu or select SKU Generator from a menu.
Entering an item: Enter a valid item code to proceed to the SKU Generator Screen (Entering SKU Information). The item must be SKU’ed (have a selected SKU field in the Item table), or an error message indicates: SKU Generation is not allowed for non-SKU items.
You cannot use the SKU generator if it is already in use by another person; instead, an error message such as the following indicates: EROOSEVELT already active in the SKU Generator.
SKU Generator Screen (Entering SKU Information)
Purpose: Use this screen to enter the information to default for the SKU combinations you are creating. The information includes SKU group, vendor item information, and individual SKU elements.
How to display this screen:
• Enter an item code at the SKU Generator Prompt Screen (Selecting an Item).
• Select SKU Generator for an item with SKUs at the Work with Item screen.
• You advance to this screen automatically when you create a SKU’ed item if the Auto Advance to SKU Generator (J06) system control value is selected.
Field |
Description |
Item |
The code and description of the item for which you are generating SKUs. Alphanumeric, 12 positions (item code) 30 positions (description); display-only. |
SKU group |
If you have assigned the item to a SKU group in the Item table, the group appears here and is display-only; the associated SKU elements appear on the screen. Otherwise, you can enter a valid SKU group to default the related SKU elements. Note: Enter the SKU group before entering any SKU values, or the system will clear your SKU value entries when it defaults the values from the SKU group. SKU groups are defined in and validated against the SKU Group table; see Working with SKU Groups (WISG). Numeric, 3 positions; optional or display-only. |
SKU default cost |
The cost of the SKU. The default cost you entered when you created the item defaults here, but you can override it here or for individual SKUs. Overriding the cost here does not update the default cost for the item. Numeric, 11 positions with a 4-place decimal; optional. |
Original retail price |
Not currently implemented. Numeric, 7 positions with a 2-place decimal; optional. |
List price |
The price at which manufacturers recommend retailers sell a product. The system uses this price when you process item to item transfers (inventory transaction code = G). The list price of the source and target items must be identical, or the system will not allow you to process the transfer. If you are changing the quantity as part of the transfer, the system will confirm that the list price of the source item is the same as the list price of the target item based on the target item's quantity. For example, if the target item will constitute a set of three of the source item, the list price of the target item should be three times the list price of the source item. Numeric, 7 positions with a 2-place decimal; optional (required if you process item to item transfers). |
Defines whether you want to create vendor items. Valid values are: • Selected = Create vendor items for each SKU you create. The vendor item code defaults on the Work with SKU Generator Screen as described below under Item. If the Default SKU generator vendor item system control value is selected: The system defaults the SKU information to the vendor item code field. Typically, you would default this information if your company's SKU codes are the same as your vendor's SKU codes. Having the system create the vendor item codes can save you data entry. You can override the vendor item codes if necessary. If the Default SKU generator vendor item system control value is unselected: You will need to edit the vendor item codes for the SKUs so that they are each unique, or the system displays an error message. |
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• Unselected = Do not create vendor items. The vendor item information is display-only on the Work with SKU Generator Screen. You should not complete any of the vendor-related fields described below. |
Vendor |
The code used to identify the vendor. Vendor codes are defined in and validated against the Vendor table. The vendor you assigned to the item, if any, defaults. Enter a vendor code only if you are creating vendor items. See Working with Vendors (WVEN). Numeric, 7 positions; optional (required if you are creating vendor items). |
Vendor name |
The name of the vendor. Alphanumeric, 30 positions; display-only. |
Item |
The vendor's item code. The same item code will be used for all the SKUs you create, unless you change the vendor item code on the Work with SKU Generator Screen. If the Default SKU Generator Vendor Item (C61) system control value is selected, and you enter an item here, the system appends the SKU information to your entry in this field to compose the vendor item code. Alphanumeric, 20 positions; optional. |
Description |
The vendor's description of the item. Alphanumeric, 30 positions; optional (required if creating vendor items). |
Price |
The vendor's price for the item. When you enter a purchase order, this price defaults. Numeric, 9 positions with a 4-place decimal; optional. |
Lead days |
The number of days it takes a vendor to deliver this item when you place a purchase order. The system adds the lead days to the current date to determine the due date for an item on a purchase order. Numeric, 3 positions; optional. |
U/M (Unit of measure) |
A standard by which a vendor's item is sold. Typical units of measure include: • EA - each • IN - inch • C12 - case of 12 Unit of measure is defined in and validated against the Unit of Measure table. See Working with Units of Measure (WUOM). Alphanumeric, 3 positions; optional. |
Duty (Duty percent) |
The percentage of duty or tariff charges applicable to foreign orders. Update vendor item additional charge: The system creates an additional charge for each vendor item, using the first purchase order additional charge code whose type is D (duty). If there is no duty additional charge code defined in your company, the system creates a blank additional charge for the vendor item. See Working With PO Additional Charges (WPAC), and Working with Vendor Items (WVNI). Calculate receiving cost: When you enter or receive purchase orders, the system uses this percentage to calculate the amount of duty that applies to the item. This duty percentage will not be visible when you review the purchase order in purchase order inquiry; however, it will be added to the last purchase cost in the SKU table; also, it will be factored into the average cost and weighted average FIFO cost in the SKU table. See Purchase Order Receiving Overview. Numeric, 7 positions with a 2-place decimal; optional. |
Color/style/size (SKU elements) |
Use these three levels to define the elements to create the various SKU combinations. You can enter up to 30 different elements for each type. If the item is assigned to a SKU group, or if you entered a SKU group at this screen, the SKUs for the group default; however, you can override these defaults. SKU elements are validated against the SKU Element 1, 2, and 3 tables (fast paths = WSK1, WSK2, WSK3). If you enter a SKU element that has not been created, an error message indicates: SKU Element (xxxx) does not exist. See Working with SKU Elements (WSK1, WSK2, WSK3). Note: No error message indicates if you enter the same SKU element value more than once; however, the system still creates the SKU combinations normally, without duplicates. Alphanumeric, thirty 4-position fields for each element; required. |
Completing this screen: Select Accept to accept and begin the SKU generation, or select Reject to reject the SKU generator information. If you select Accept, you advance to the Work with SKU Generator Screen.
Work with SKU Generator Screen
Purpose: Use this screen to review the SKU combinations generated based on your entries at the SKU Generator screen, and to change this information as needed. At this screen, you can:
• delete unnecessary SKUs which were created by the SKU generator
• add SKUs which weren't created
• override information for each SKU or vendor item
How to display this screen: The system creates SKU s (and, optionally, vendor items) and then advances to this screen when you select Accept to accept your entries at the SKU Generator Screen (Entering SKU Information).
Field |
Description |
Item |
The code and description of the item. Alphanumeric, 12 positions (item code) 30 positions (description); display-only. |
Vendor |
The numeric code that identifies the supplier of an item. Numeric, 7 positions; display-only. |
Default cost |
The default cost of the item from the previous screen. Numeric, 11 positions with a 4-place decimal; display-only. |
Create vendor items |
Displayed regardless of your entry in the Create vendor items field on the previous screen. Valid values are: • Selected = Create vendor items. • Unselected = Do not create vendor items. The related fields are not enterable. blank = The vendor item-related fields are enterable on the screen. Note: The system does not create the vendor items when you accept your entries. Your entry on the previous screen defaults. Enter a new value to change whether the vendor item-related fields are enterable. |
Vendor item |
The vendor's item code. Your entry at the SKU Generator Screen (Entering SKU Information) defaults. If the Default SKU generator vendor item system control value is selected: The SKU information appears after the defaulted vendor item code. The SKU information appears by itself if you didn't enter a vendor item at the SKU Generator Screen (Entering SKU Information). If the Default SKU generator vendor item system control value is unselected: This field is blank if you are not creating vendor items, or if you did not enter a vendor item code at the SKU Generator Screen (Entering SKU Information). Alphanumeric, 20 positions; optional. |
Description |
The vendor's description of the item, defaulted from the SKU Generator Screen (Entering SKU Information). You can override this information. Alphanumeric, 30 positions; optional. |
Price |
The vendor's price for the item, defaulted from the SKU Generator Screen (Entering SKU Information). You can override this information. Numeric, 9 positions with a 4-place decimal; optional. |
Lead days |
The number of days it takes a vendor to deliver this item when it is ordered through a purchase order. Added to the current date to determine the due date on a purchase order detail line. Defaults from the SKU Generator Screen (Entering SKU Information). You can override this information. Numeric, 3 positions; optional. |
Unit of measure |
A standard by which a vendor's item is sold. Typical units of measure include: • EA - each • IN - inch • C12 - case of 12 Unit of measure is validated against the Unit of Measure table. Defaults from the SKU Generator Screen (Entering SKU Information). You can override this information. Alphanumeric, 3 positions; optional. |
Duty (Duty percent) |
The percentage of duty or tariff charges applicable to foreign orders. You can override this information. Numeric, 7 positions with a 2-place decimal; optional. |
SKU description |
The SKU description. Alphanumeric, 40 positions; optional. |
SKU |
The specific SKU elements. Alphanumeric, three 4-position fields; display-only. |
Sort seq. (SKU sort sequence number) |
The sequence number 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. Required if the Require Sort Sequence Number in the SKU File (F23) system control value is selected. The system automatically assigns a SKU sort sequence number if the Auto Assign Sort Sequence Number During SKU Generation (F24) system control value is selected. If this system control value is selected, this field does not display. Numeric, 5 positions; required if the Require Sort Sequence Number system control value is selected. |
Cost |
The cost of the SKU, defaulted from the Item table. You can override this value. Numeric, 11 positions with a 4-place decimal; optional. |
Delete |
Defines whether you wish to delete this SKU. Valid values are: • Selected = Delete this SKU. • Unselected = Do not delete this SKU; the SKU generator should create it. Defaults to selected if you are using a SKU group, and you flagged the SKU combination for exclusion. See Working with SKU Groups (WISG). |
L/S class (Long SKU class) |
A code you can assign to SKUs for tracking and reporting purposes. The long SKU class you assigned to the base item defaults. If the Use Retail Integration (H26) system control value is selected, long SKU classes are linked to long SKU departments and are called retail classes. Retail classes are department specific whereas regular long SKU classes are unique and remain constant across departments. For this reason, when the Use Retail Integration (H26) system control value is selected, you can only enter a retail class in this field that is assigned to the long SKU department of the base item. If you enter a long SKU class that is not linked to the long SKU department, the system will not let you proceed and displays an error message: L/S Class (xxxx) was not found in L/S Department (xx). Retail classes are defined in and validated against the Retail Class table; see the Work with Retail Class Screen for more information. Long SKU classes are defined in and validated against the Long SKU Class table; see Working with Long SKU Classes (WLSC). Note: When the Use Retail Integration (H26) system control value is selected, you can not access the Work with Long SKU Class menu option or the WLSC fast path. Numeric, 5 positions; optional. |
L/S vendor (Long SKU vendor) |
A code you can assign to SKUs for tracking and reporting purposes. The long SKU vendor you assigned to the item defaults. Long SKU vendor codes are defined in the SKU table but are not validated in Order Management System. Alphanumeric, 7 positions; optional. |
L/S style (Long SKU style) |
A code you can assign to SKUs for tracking and reporting purposes. Long SKU style is also used by external systems to identify the item. If the Default SKU Generator L/S Style (J04) system control value is selected, the SKU generator automatically creates a Long SKU style for each SKU. • If a long SKU style code is defined for the base item, the system creates a long SKU style code for each SKU using the base long SKU style code + SKU code. • If a long SKU style code is not defined for the base item, the system creates a long SKU style code for each SKU using the item code + SKU code. Note: The Long SKU style field is 20 positions. If the generated long SKU style code is greater than 20 positions, the system will truncate the value to 20 positions. |
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If the Default SKU Generator L/S Style (J04) system control value is unselected and the Require L/S Style (I94) system control value is unselected, the system defaults the long sku style code defined for the base item to this field. Required if the Require L/S Style (I94) system control value is selected: L/S Style Required. Additionally, the system validates that the value you enter is not assigned to another item or SKU: L/S Style is a duplicate. Long SKU style codes are defined in the SKU table but are not validated in Order Management System. Numeric, 20 positions; optional. |
Original retail price |
Not currently implemented. Numeric, 7 positions with a 2-place decimal; optional. |
List price |
The price at which manufacturers recommend retailers sell a product. The system uses this price when you process item to item transfers (inventory transaction code = G). The list price of the source and target items must be identical, or the system will not allow you to process the transfer. If you are changing the quantity as part of the transfer, the system will confirm that the list price of the source item is the same as the list price of the target item based on the target item's quantity. For example, if the target item will constitute a set of three of the source item, the list price of the target item should be three times the list price of the source item. Numeric, 7 positions with a 2-place decimal; optional (required if you process item to item transfers). |
Instructions: To accept the SKU information:
1. Edit or add information to the necessary fields.
2. To create additional SKUs, select Create and enter the SKU details at the Create SKU Generator Screen (Creating Individual SKUs).
3. Select Accept to accept. The system displays an error message if any of the SKU combinations are duplicates of existing SKUs. Flag each duplicate for deletion by selecting the Delete field, or correct as desired.
4. Select Accept again. You advance to the Enter SKU Base Information Pop-Up Window.
Enter SKU Base Information Pop-Up Window
Purpose: Use this window to define the information applicable to all the SKUs you are creating. The system copies this information to each SKU. You can override this information on the Change SKU screen.
How to display this screen: Select Accept at the Work with SKU Generator Screen.
Field |
Description |
Item |
The code and description of the base item for which you are creating SKUs. Alphanumeric, 12 positions (item code) 30 positions (description); display-only. |
U/M (Unit of measure) |
A standard by which a vendor's item is sold. Typical units of measure include: • EA - each • IN - inch • C12 - case of 12 If you leave this field blank, the unit of measure defined for the base item defaults for the SKUs. Unit of measure is validated against the Unit of Measure table. See Working with Units of Measure (WUOM). Alphanumeric, 3 positions; optional. |
Itm category (Item category) |
A code assigned to the item to classify and group like items for use in the Item Relationships function. The Compatibility field should also be completed to fully use the Item Relationships function. See Working with Item Category Codes (WITG). Numeric, 4 positions; optional. |
Compatibility |
A code assigned to an item or SKU which you can use in the Item Relationships function to display a list of other compatible items. Example: Item PC1 represents an IBM PC. You can assign a compatibility code of 01 (IBM Products) to this item and to other IBM items such as printers, network cards, etc. Numeric, 3 positions; optional. |
Prep code |
A code used to indicate any special preparation or handling required for the SKU. Informational only. Alphanumeric, 2 positions; optional. |
Return/vendor |
Indicates whether the SKU can be returned; informational only. Valid values are: • Selected = This SKU is returnable. • Unselected = This SKU is not returnable. |
Country of origin |
A code representing the country where the SKU originated. Used by the World Pack interface to determine duty for shipments to certain countries. Country codes are defined in and validated against the Country table; see Setting Up the Country Table (WCTY). Alphanumeric, 3 positions; optional. |
S/O control (Soldout control) |
This code, from the Soldout Control table, indicates when the item is considered sold out. An item can be sold out: • immediately • when the available quantity equals zero • when the available quantity plus any quantity due on purchase orders equals zero. If you have specified a Default Soldout Control Code (D72) it defaults here, but you can override it. If the Disregard Soldout Controls for Non-Allocatable Warehouses (J27) system control value is selected, the system disregards soldout control rules for items reserved against a non-allocatable warehouse. If the item cannot be reserved, the system backorders the item in the non-allocatable warehouse. See this system control value for more information. See Working with Soldout Controls (WSLD) for more information on working with soldout controls. Alphanumeric, 2 positions; optional. |
Sup B/O card (Suppress backorder card) |
Indicates whether to produce a backorder card for the SKUs. You might use this field to identify promotional items, free gifts, or catalogs, to prevent them from generating backorder cards or appearing on backorder lists. Valid values are: • Selected = Suppress normal backorder card generation for this item. • Unselected = Do not suppress normal backorder card generation. If the Unconditional Suppression of Backorder Card (F19) system control value is selected, suppressed SKUs will never appear on a backorder card. If this system control value is unselected, suppressed SKUs will appear only on the first backorder card for the order, and only if an unsuppressed item triggers the backorder card generation. |
Zone reservation |
A code assigned to weather-sensitive items or SKUs such as plant stock to insure that the SKUs will ship to different regions of the country within date windows suited to the regions. Zone reservation coded items/SKUs will not be reserved during order entry; instead they will be assigned a backorder status of Z (Zoned reservation), and will be reserved during pick generation using the batch reservation function, at an optimal time for shipping. |
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Zone reservation logic requires: • The item/SKU must be assigned a zone reservation code. For SKU’ed items, the zone reservation code must be assigned at the SKU level. • The offer associated with the order must be assigned a season code • The shipping address for the order must be assigned to a geographic zone, using either the postal ZIP code of the ship to address, or the SCF (Sectional Center Facility) code of the ship to address. The SCF code consists of the first three digits of the ZIP code. • For each zone reservation code, you must define zone date windows for all geographic zones in the country See Creating and Maintaining Geographic Zones (WGZN). Alphanumeric, 4 positions; optional. |
Warehouse |
A code that represents the warehouse where you will keep the SKU. The default warehouse from the System Control table defaults. Warehouse codes are validated against the Warehouse table. See Creating and Maintaining Warehouses (WWHS). Numeric, 3 positions; required. |
Whs max (Warehouse maximum) |
The recommended maximum quantity of the SKU to keep in the warehouse. Numeric, 7 positions; optional. |
Whs min (Warehouse minimum) |
The recommended minimum quantity of the SKU to keep in the warehouse. Numeric, 7 positions; optional. |
Allocation freeze |
Indicates whether reservations can be performed against the SKU in the specified warehouse. • Selected = The SKU is on hold for item reservation. All other inventory transactions are allowed. • Unselected = The SKU is not on hold for item reservation. |
Protected Quantity |
An amount of inventory that is not reserved automatically for this SKU. You can reserve the protected quantity through Working with Interactive Reservation (MIRV) only, as in the case of large wholesale orders or preferred mail order customers. Protected quantity is included in on-hand quantity. Numeric, 7 positions; optional. |
Reorder qty (Reorder quantity) |
The quantity of this SKU that should be ordered when the on-hand quantity reaches the minimum from the Min Qty field. Numeric, 7 positions; optional. |
Location |
The default location in the warehouse where the item is kept. This location is sometimes referred to as the “primary primary.”The “primary primary” location is stored in the field in the SKU table. Alphanumeric, 7 positions; optional. |
Loc max (Location maximum) |
The maximum quantity of the item to keep in this location. Numeric, 7 positions; optional. |
Loc min (Location maximum) |
The minimum quantity of the item to keep in this location. Numeric, 7 positions; optional. |
Freeze flag |
Indicates whether to generate pick slips for this item location. Valid values are: • Selected = This item location is available for pick slips. • Unselected = This item location is not available for pick slips. |
Restrict |
Indicates whether you can accept an order for this item/SKU in and whether demand is captured. • Selected = The operator cannot accept an order for this item/SKU. • Unselected = The operator can accept an order for this item/SKU. |
Create SKU Generator Screen (Creating Individual SKUs)
Purpose: Use this screen to add a SKU that was not generated based on the information from the SKU Generator screen. For example, if your SKU generator for Shoes does not generate a SKU for Size 11 shoes, you may want to add the SKUs Black, 11, B width, and Black, 11, A width to the SKUs for this item.
How to display this screen: Select Create on the Work with SKU Generator Screen.
Field descriptions: See SKU Generator Screen (Entering SKU Information) for field definitions.
