Multiple Location Inventory Design

[Coleman]

Scott:

I agree with all the responses I have seen.  I have a nursing home billing and inventory control package and I keep an on-hand inventory field for the "central supply" in my master parts file and use the header-detail concept for all other locations.  I use one file for the other inventory locations
(i.e. 100, 200, 300 ...) and another file for the current inventory location of that particular item.  That file contains 3 fields, location code, item #, & on-hand value.  Then, on my main item view screen I show the on-hand value for central supply (the area that replenishes the other areas in the building) as a real variable (protected) and the other location values as dummy variables displayed on the screen.  I have the lookup to the other inventory location values defined as an array (currently 15 as I remember) but only show however many the client requests on their screen.  That way if they want to add a location or two, I only have to modify the screen by adding another dummy variable. 

I have a process table that transfers items from one location to another so the user has a history of all inventory activity. so if one location is out of an item and another is over-stocked, they transfer from one to another without affecting the replenishment value.

Don Coleman
Donald G. Coleman, Consultant
402 Andrew Circle
Indiana, PA 15701
(724) 349-6302
(412) 849-2589 (cell)

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Nancy Palmquist <nlp at vss3.com>
Date:  Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:25:20 -0400

>Scott,
>
>I think I would suggest keeping the part master and the location data 
>separate.  I set up an inventory system like this which required one 
>part to be tracked by metal specifications, incoming and outgoing.  It 
>is a similiar layout.  I kept a detail which would total each part by 
>heat number (yours would be location), then detail records under that 
>with the in and out for that location.  That way you have full audit of 
>everything.
>
>
>MASTER PART - PART/LOCATION TOTAL - DETAIL TRANSACTIONS for PART/LOCATION
>
>You have great drilling capabilities with this model.  I would avoid 
>qualifiers for live data, because reports need to stay in one 
>qualifier.  I might use them for archive or history to keep the working 
>files with live data.  Maybe it makes sense for an inventory to have an 
>annual archive that would match with the IRS calendar for reporting.
>
>Other people suggested this model, it worked well for me.  It is also 
>scalable so you have not restricted how many locations.  Reports will be 
>simplier to manage.
>
>Nancy
>
>
>On 3/25/2010 5:37 PM, Scott Walker wrote:
>> I have an order processing system.  Currently it only handles inventory kept
>> in one location.  Now a customer wants to start keeping inventory at
>> multiple locations.  So the same part# could be in the inventory at the main
>> office and also at several branch offices.  I'm just starting to think of
>> the design of this.  Should I have a separate record in the inventory file
>> for each part#/location combination?  Should I use a qualified file for each
>> of the inventory of each location? (I don't use qualified files for anything
>> at the moment).   Of course, this design decision permeates itself
>> throughout the system (ie.  Order Entry, Shipping, Purchasing, etc).  Any
>> design ideas or thoughts would be appreciated.
>>
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>>
>>
>> Scott
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Scott Walker
>>
>> RAM Systems Corp
>>
>> (704) 896-6549
>>
>> ScottWalker at RAMSystemCorp.com
>>
>>
>>
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>
>-- 
>Nancy Palmquist         MOS&  filePro Training Available
>Virtual Software Systems    Web Based Training and Consulting
>PHONE: (412) 835-9417           Web site:  http://www.vss3.com
>
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