About item cross-references

A bar code

• is a machine-readable graphical representation of data that contains information about the product to which the bar code is attached.
• can be found om most products that are sold or purchased.
• is read by using a special scanner that reads the information encoded in the image.
• is converted into alphanumeric strings by a Scanner software.
• is specific to the company that manufactures or resells the product.

Different bar code standards are used for different types of products and in different world regions.

With Visma.net ERP:

• you can use any bar codes as alternative IDs for items.
• bar codes do not require any association with particular supplier or customer, and
• they can be entered in any number for the same item.

Bar codes can be entered into the system:

• on creating a receipt by using the Purchase receipts (PO302000) window, by scanning a bar code of the product and associating it with the item ID used for this product in the system,
• by using a scanner in the Stock items (IN202500) window (Cross-references tab), or
• manually.
  

Customer alternative IDs are item identifiers (such as part numbers) used by the customers for the product.

In the system, you can:

• create multiple alternative IDs for the product (one for each customer),
• specify each alternative ID for the item and indicate that it is used by a customer using the Stock items (IN202500) or Non-stock items (IN202000) window, in the Cross-references tab,
• create alternative IDs (and cross-references) on the fly while specifying the details of the sales order in the Sales orders (SO301000) window, and
  
• update an item record by overriding the existing alternative ID.

Supplier alternative IDs are item identifiers used by your company's suppliers for the product.

As with customer alternative IDs, you can:

• maintain multiple supplier alternative IDs in the Inventory workspace,
• create alternative IDs on the fly while specifying the details of the purchase order in the Purchase orders (PO301000) window, and
• update an item record by overriding the existing alternative ID.

For items your company frequently purchases from a particular supplier, a supplier catalogue can be maintained in either the Supplier inventory (PO201000) window or the Stock items (IN202500) or Non-stock items (IN202000) window, under the Supplier details tab.

Along with alternative IDs, you can specify supplier's last prices for the items and update them with prices quoted on supplier documents such as receipts or even purchase orders. When they create purchase orders, users will be able to see the supplier's last prices for the items listed on the orders.