I have a problem. We need to take an inventory item (Using 2.6 AD) and send the item out for coating. WHen the item comes back from the processing it needs to come into inventory as a different item number with the cost of the coating added to the part. Currently we use a negative quantity on a purchase order to bring the uncoated item out of stock and add another line for the item coming back. When invoiced for the coating only we apply the cost to the item to the one coming back and post the P.O. After posting the uncoated item is subtracted from inventory and the new item is brought into inventory. Is there a better way? Is this way a bad practice? Any help would be appreciated. Kevin Archer Kevin Archer Edited by - KARCHER on 2001 Aug 29 21:57:47
As you are aware, there can be many ways to do this. If you want to do this without custom, then this is one of the better approaches. There are 2 problems I could possibly see with doing it this way: 1) You are relying on the user to enter the information correctly on the purchase order. This isn’t too much of a concern if they are careful. 2) Depending on the costing method used, you might be bringing the piece into inventory at the incorrect cost. There will be no tie between these two items when the Inventory Periodic Activities are run. The more your actual costs vary, the bigger of an issue this becomes. There are a number of good aspects of this approach including the A/P and a good audit trail with the Purchase Invoice. Sometimes we have to work within the limitations of the system. 
Note that Attain has parts of both AD and Manufacturing which should give you more options. Chris Krantz NCSD,NCSQL,MCSD,MCSE Microforum Inc. Toronto, Ontario, Canada