How do I define multiple units of measure for an item?

You can define multiple units of measure for an item when you set up the item master. You add parameters to each unit of measure which defines when you can use each unit of measure. If you do not define multiple, or alternative units of measure, the stock unit of measure is the default for all transactions.

In the example below, the stock unit of measure is EA (each). An alternative unit of measure, Case, is defined as 100 each. Inventory balances are tracked only in EA. The 1 and 2 define which unit of measure is primary for that function. The stock unit of measure is primary for transactions, sales, and sales price. The alternative unit of measure is primary for the purchases of the item.

Generally, if you purchase items in a unit of measure different than the UOM you use to process or sell the item, then you assign a higher priority to different units of measure. Although the higher priority UOM is the default, you can change to the alternate UOM if it has the secondary priority. In the example above, if the Buy field for EA was blank, you could only purchase that item in Cases.