Alternate Unit of Measure Assignment

An alternate unit of measure is assigned on the Specifications FastTab of the Item Card. The unit that is assigned as the alternate unit of measure can not have the same type as the item's base unit of measure. When a unit of measure code is set up, it can be assigned a type of length, weight, or volume. This option can also be left blank if it is not applicable to the unit of measure code. An item's alternate unit of measure can have any type setting (including blank), provided the type is not the same as the base unit. For example, if an item's base unit of measure is kilograms, the program would not allow you to assign grams as the item's alternate unit.

The decision to record alternate units of measure with an item must be made prior to any activity being posted for the item. Once a ledger entry has been recorded for an item, the alternate measure settings (or lack thereof) can not be modified.

There are two ways in which alternate units of measure can be recorded: fixed or caught.

Fixed Quantities

Fixed alternate quantities are calculated automatically by the program according to a conversion that you have defined between the item's base and alternate units. This is similar to the conversion that occurs between a secondary unit of measure and an item's base unit in standard Dynamics NAV. The calculated alternate quantity amount appears on the transaction line containing the item.

Recording alternates as fixed amounts is convenient for companies that do not require a high level of precision in maintaining alternate units. Because fixed amounts are automatically calculated by the program, the user is not required to perform any additional steps when entering these items on transaction lines.

The automatic calculation of amounts which make fixed alternates preferable to some companies may be an inadequate solution to others. In environments in which a greater degree of detail is required when it comes to recording alternate quantity data, fixed alternates may be too simplistic a solution.

Caught Quantities

"Catching" an alternate quantity refers to recording the precise quantity of an alternate unit on a transaction line. While the program will use the defined conversion between the alternate and the base unit as a guideline, ultimately the user will be expected to enter the actual alternate quantity on the transaction line. You will be unable to post the transaction line until this quantity is entered.

Catching alternate quantities can be advantageous in that it provides the greatest level of accuracy when recording alternate quantity values. You can also integrate Dynamics NAV with an automated data capture device or scale, which can automate the process of recording this information.

Please note that catching the alternate quantity is a process that is supported in receipt- and shipping transactions. There is no concept of a "catchweight" in a warehouse process with the noteable exception of containers. If a "catchweight item" is entered on a container line, the alternate quantity or catchweight needs to be entered on that containerline as well.

A potential drawback to catching alternate quantities is the level of data entry requirements that are involved. When an item is set up in this manner, the user must record an alternate quantity whenever the item is entered on a transaction line. Depending on a company's existing operations, it may not be realistic to maintain the additional procedures that are necessary to effectively record this information.