Use this program to create and maintain records in the warehouse/item file. Each record contains general, restocking, usage, sales, cost, activity and receipt information relevant to a particular item in a given warehouse.
The program may be used as needed to create records as new products are stocked by a warehouse, edit a record, to confirm new information, or delete an existing record if the item is no longer carried in the warehouse. You can also use this program to look up warehouse/item file information.
Replenishment settings
Most of the warehouse/item-specific setting are available on the Restocking tab of Warehouse/Item F/M.The options to freeze controls and the T-Min values, while available here, are actually stored in the Replenishment Parameters file and can be maintained from Replenishment Parameter F/M as well.
In general, freezing values should be avoided where possible, as frozen values are inflexible. There are some situations which require frozen values, but when possible, address the need by using T-Mins. When you do freeze a value, always enter a reasonable expiration date (meaning not too far in the future) and a memo explaining the purpose of the freeze.
In the past, it was common to freeze the rank of a new item, but we now have a T-Min Rank for new items which can be set in Replenishment Parameter F/M that will automatically be applied based on the Record Established Date on the Main tab of Warehouse/Item F/M. It is generally preferable to allow that T-Min Rank be applied as opposed to freezing the rank, but it is important that the record established date be accurate.
The usage method can be frozen. This prevents the seasonality analysis alert from analyzing the warehouse/item record. In cases where you are certain that the usage method is correct, it is actually helpful to freeze the usage method.
Safety stock can be set at multiple levels in Replenishment Parameter F/M – for example, it can be set at the vendor, purchase line, or item level – so it should be rare that you need to set it at the warehouse/item level. Before freezing safety stock at the warehouse/item level, seriously consider setting it at a higher level, as it will reduce maintenance tasks and result in more consistent safety stock across all of your items.
Note that you have access to Replenishment Parameter F/M and the Show Math options from the Restocking tab.
The Usage tab shows monthly summary of the item’s usage and provides direct access to Usage Review.
The options for rounding order quantities are only available from Replenishment Parameter F/M.
There are now many ways to update the warehouse/item settings, including Replenishment Parameter F/M, Process Warehouse Item Records (which utilizes Microsoft Excel) and Transfer/Change Item Codes.
Note: Some of the information displayed in this program is retrieved from Replenishment Parameter Maintenance. If you display a record here in Warehouse/Item F/M that has been updated in Replenishment Parameter Maintenance, the system may ask you to save the record in Warehouse/Item F/M even if you have not modified information on the screen. This is because the information has not yet been saved in the Warehouse/Item F/M data tables. Save the record to retain the information displayed. If you select No when navigating away from the record, it will not remove the changes applied to the record from Replenishment Parameter Maintenance.
For more information how to use maintenances, refer to this topic.
Using file maintenance programs
To access this program, click Inventory Control>File Maintenances>Warehouse/Item F/M.
Click field descriptions for information on each field.