Characteristics

Enter, or use Lookup to select, an inventory U/M (unit of measure) for the part.

A default value of EA (Each) is loaded for new parts, but can be overridden. This unit of measure will also act as the default unit of measure for purchasing and sales.

You establish U/Ms in the Units of Measure screen.

Select the part's status from these choices:

• Estimating - Select this status to indicate that the part will be used only for estimating purposes. You can use parts with this status only in the Enter Vendor Quotes screen (Materials\Transactions\Vendor Quotes), the Materials Estimating module of Costpoint client/server, and unreleased Engineering Bills of Material within the Bills of Material module of Costpoint client/server.

• Pre-Release - Select this status to indicate that the part has not been officially released to manufacturing. You can use parts with this status only in the Enter Vendor Quotes screen (Materials\Transactions\Vendor Quotes), the Materials Estimating module of Costpoint client/server, and unreleased .Engineering Bills of Material in the Bills of Material module in Costpoint client/server.

• Released - You can use released parts in all functions. This is the default status and indicates that the part can be used anywhere in the production process.

• Phase-Out - Select this status if a part is being phased out, but the quantity that currently exists can still be used. You can use a part with this status in all functions, but the system will display a warning message when it is used.

• Obsolete - Select this status if the part is obsolete. You can use a part with this status in all functions, but the system will display a warning message when it is used.

Select this checkbox to indicate the part as active.

This checkbox is selected by default.

If you uncheck this checkbox, the part is inactive and cannot be used for any purpose.

Use this drop-down box to select the part's type from these system-defined choices:

• Buy with Components - Select this part type to indicate that the part and its components must be ordered when planned.

• Phantom - Select this part type to indicate that the part is transient (non-stocked and non-ordered).

• Reference - Select this part type to indicate that the part will be shown on certain reports and pick lists for reference purposes only.

• Standard - This is the system default and indicates that the part is used in all materials processes.

• Tool - Select this part type to indicate that the part is used in the production process but is not direct material.

From this drop-down box, select "Buy" to specify a part that is bought from a vendor or "Make" to specify a part that is manufactured.

Note: If you select "Make," the system automatically populates the CAGE field in the Codes group box with the CAGE entered in the Product Definitions Settings screen (Administration\Configure\Materials).

Select this checkbox to indicate the part is ordered on an as-required basis if it is not practical to specify an exact quantity for the part.

The system default leaves this checkbox blank.

Enter the estimated unit weight of the part, up to 9,999,999,999.99 pounds, as applicable.

Enter the shelf life of the part in calendar days, up to 9,999, as applicable.

A shelf life indicates when the part will become unusable.

Select this checkbox if the part is designated as hazmat (hazardous material).

The system default leaves this checkbox blank.

In the United States, hazardous material is defined as any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) that can harm living organisms or the environment.

Select this checkbox if the part requires a QC (quality control) inspection when received on a purchase order.

This checkbox is selected by default.

Selecting this checkbox indicates that you have the means to perform quality assurance on this part and the acceptance or rejection of this part should occur in the Enter QC Inspections screen (Materials\Transactions\Receipts).

The value displayed defaults from the Product Definition Settings screen (Administration\Configure\Materials) and can be changed if necessary. This value will default to all purchase order and requisition lines for this part and can be changed there if necessary (and allowed).

If you leave this checkbox blank, a separate QC function is not required for this part.

Select this checkbox if the part requires a source inspection before the vendor ships the item to your site.

This check box is selected by default.

A source inspection normally requires the vendor to obtain approval from an inspector before the material can be shipped to your site.

The value displayed defaults from the Product Definition Settings screen (Administration\Configure\Materials) and can be changed if necessary. This value will default to all purchase order lines for this part and can be changed there if necessary.

If you leave this checkbox blank, a source inspection is not required for this part.

Select this checkbox if the part requires a Certificate of Conformance from the vendor upon PO (purchase order) receipt.

This checkbox is selected by default.

A Certificate of Conformance is a legal document issued by the vendor certifying that the materials conform to certain specifications and requirements.

The system displays the value from the Product Definition Settings screen (Administration\Configure\Materials) and can be changed if necessary. This value will default to all line items on the purchase order and can be changed there if necessary.

If you leave this checkbox blank, a Certificate of Conformance is not required for this part.

Enter the one-character inspection type.

This is a user-defined field that is used in various reports and inquiries.

If, in Product Definition Settings, you elected to specify vendor restrictions at the part level, select a vendor restriction level for this part. You can assign and approve vendors to individual parts on the Assign Vendors screen. The restrictions are applied when you select vendors for purchase requisitions and purchase orders for this part. Available options are:

• Approved - The selected vendor must be approved for the part.

• Assigned - The selected vendor must be assigned to the part. Vendors specifically flagged as unapproved for this part are also disallowed.

• No Restriction - Any vendor can be selected for the part.

If vendor restrictions are not defined at the part level, this field is set to None and cannot be changed.

Enter, or use Lookup to select, a valid commodity code (up to eight characters).

When you enter a valid commodity code, the system displays the commodity code's description in the non-editable field next to the Commodity field.

You enter commodity codes in the Commodity Codes screen (Materials\Configure\Items) before using them in this field.

Enter, or use Lookup to select, a valid industry classification code, up to eight characters.

If you've assigned an industry class value to the commodity code in the Commodity field, then it will default into this field.

When you enter a valid industry classification code, the system displays the industry classification code's description in the non-editable field next to the Industry Classification field.

You enter Industry Classification codes in the Industry Classifications screen.

Enter, or use Lookup to select, a valid product classification code, up to eight characters.

When a valid product classification code is entered, the system displays the product type linked to the classification code in the non-editable Product Type field.

You enter product classification codes in the Product Classifications screen (Materials\Configure\Items).

This non-editable field automatically displays the product type associated with the product classification code.

This data is established in the Product Classifications screen (Materials\Configure\Items).

Enter the 20-character alphanumeric National Stock Number (sometimes known as an NSN) for the part, if necessary.

This number is a reference and is used in Purchase Order and Sales Order reports.

Enter the 20-character alphanumeric Military Specification (Mil-Spec) Code applicable to the part, if necessary. This number is a reference and is used in Purchase Order reports.

Enter, or use Lookup to select, a valid CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity) code (up to six characters).

CAGE codes are established in the Manufacturers screen (Materials\Maintain\Manufacturers).

If you selected "Make" in the Make/Buy field, this field will default from the CAGE from the Product Definition Settings screen (Administration\Configure\Materials).

Enter up to 14 alphanumeric characters for the part's UPC (Uniform Product Code) .

This non-editable field automatically displays the date you entered the part into the system.

This non-editable field displays the last ECN (Engineering Change Notice) ID used, if applicable.

You can access ECN information in the Costpoint client/server Materials module for the Engineering Change Notices screens.