Setting Up Units of Measure
To set up units of measure, first create a record for each units type you want to assign to your items. For example, you can create a units type named Length. Then, create units for the units type. Each unit type can have several units. For example, you can create units like Inch, Foot, and Yard for Length.
You can also use the Import Assistant to add or update units type records and their units. For more information, see Units Type Import.
If you are creating a unit of measure for a statistical account, see Creating a Unit Type for a Statistical Account.
To create a unit type:
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Go to Lists > Accounting > Units of Measure > New.
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On the Units Type page, in the Type Name field, enter the name of the kind of unit you are creating.
For example, you could name it Length.
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In the Name column, enter a name for the unit you want to create.
For example, you could have a Length unit called Inch.
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In the Plural Name column, enter the plural name for the unit.
For example, the plural for Inch is Inches.
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In the Abbreviation field, enter the abbreviation for the singular unit.
For example, the abbreviation for Inches is in.
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In the Plural Abbreviation field, enter the abbreviation for the plural unit.
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Check the box in the Base Unit column if the unit you are entering is used to define the other units in this group.
For example, inch is the base unit for the Length units Foot and Yard.
Each units type must have a base unit and can have only one unit designated as the base.
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In the Conversion Rate field, enter the quantity of base units that equal one unit of the current line.
When the Base Unit box is checked, the conversion rate for the unit is set and locked at one.
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Click Add.
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Repeat these steps for each unit you want to add to this type.
Note:You can't create more than 650 units of the same type,
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Click Save.
Now you can assign the units type to item records.
After you assign a units type to an item, you can't change the item's unit type. Also, after a units type is assigned to any item, you can only add more units. You can't edit the type itself.
After you select and save a base unit, you can change the selection. Clear the Base Unit box for the current unit, then check the box for the new base unit.
Next, assign a units type to an item to define quantities for purchasing, stocking, and selling the item. For example, when you assign the units type of Length to your inventory item cable, you can purchase the cable in yards. Then you can stock the cable in feet, and sell the cable in inches.
If you change the purchase unit on an item record, NetSuite automatically converts the standard cost to the new unit when you save.
For example, the standard cost is $1 per inch. If you change the purchase unit to centimeters, NetSuite converts the standard cost to approximately $0.39 per centimeter when you save.
Transaction Quantity Limit in Base Units
You cannot enter a quantity that exceeds 9,999,999,999 base units in a single transaction line. If this limit is exceeded, you might see an error saying You've gone over the maximum allowed quantity of 9,999,999,999 base units for this line. You cannot save the transaction until you fix this error.
This limitation can occur when you use a small base unit, such as Each, with a large conversion factor for another unit. For example, suppose 1 Kg equals 1,000 Each. A large quantity entered in Kg can exceed the allowed quantity when converted to the base unit.
For assembly items on work orders, the quantity is always calculated and stored in base units. Ensure to check your conversion rates and quantities so you don't go over the 10-digit limit for base units.