How do I setup my Item Library?

The Item Library is the backbone of the system, here's how to get started.

First off, in order to manage the item library, you need a few user permissions:

• Access BlueTrace on Web Permission
• Item Create & Edit Permission
• Department Permission

Before you start creating items, you'll want to setup these two other, related objects: 

• Departments (read about how to set up departments): Departments help you view inventory by similar items. If the department is not set on an item, then it would be filtered out of any department-based filters. 
• Item Groups (read about how to set up item groups): Item Groups define the Items Properties which could be set when you make an item. Properties are the underlying data points which compose an item, like species, size, product form, country of origin, or unit of measure. You can also filter your inventory by item group, making it helpful to see or find specific items in different features across the system. 

Item Creation

Let's assume your departments and item groups are already setup. oysoyStart by navigating to the Item Library (for some folks this sits under the "Inventory" link).

1. Tap "Add Item"
2. Choose which item group to use 
3. Fill in the item properties (ex: species, country of origin, inventory unit of measure)
   1. Things that are always true about an item become a part of its definition
   2. Think about this as a unique item with a unique price

Here's an example of Item Creation using the Automatic Naming approach. If you used a manual naming approach, the only difference is you'd have to manually enter an Item name.

Items & Item Groups Come Together During Item Creation

Conceptually an item is a unique thing you buy or sell that has a quantity and price attached to it. 

Tuna Examples:

• MSC Certified Tuna : Whole : Headed & Gutted : Bought Per Lb.
• MSC Certified Tuna : Loin: Sold Per Lb.

Maybe in your organization, you need to capture the Country of Origin of the Tuna, but it doesn't impact the price. This means you'd make sure Country of Origin is a part of the Item Group, but you won't put USA or whatever country into the definition of these items, you can capture it upon receiving.

Here's an example: