Catch Weight Management

This document introduces the concept of catch weight in M3 and acts as a reference to other documentation available to support the concept and its functionality.

A requirement for the use of catch weight arises when an item is valued and priced in weight or volume but stocked in another unit of measure. Two parallel units of measure must be used to manage the stock transactions, pricing, inventory valuation etc. and the relationship between the two units may vary from one unit to the other. Use of catch weight ensures that items are valued according to actual weight and not according to default values of weight.

Typical examples derive from the food industry and include cheese or meat, where one unit of an item may vary in weight over a period of time. In order to facilitate the correct management, pricing and costing, at all times, and for each lot, there is a requirement to know the quantity in both units of measure. The number of cases or pieces for procurement and physical movements is required in addition to the weight of these same cases or pieces, as a way of obtaining accurate pricing and costing across purchase, production, sales and warehouse.

Catch weight is also referred to as variable weight or random weight.

Throughout the documentation, the term catch weight is used to refer to:

  • The overall concept of catch weight.
  • The functionality available to manage the catch weight requirement across key processes and functions.
  • The actual catch weight measurement.
  • The item (catch weight item) that is subject to measurement.

Outcome

  • Items that are stocked in one unit, such as pieces, are valued in another unit, such as weight in kilograms.
  • Catch weight is used for pricing in procurement management, warehouse management, customer order management, distribution order management and production management.
  • Catch weight data is stored in the lot master catch weight and potency table (MILOMC).

Structure

Catch weight can be structured in three different ways:

  • The actual weight is controlled during receipts and delivery.
  • The actual weight is controlled during receipt.
  • The actual weight is controlled during delivery without lot control requirement.

Supporting documents

  • Settings:

    The settings available to support catch weight functionality and cost unit of measure are described in . This document describes both mandatory pre-requisite and optional configuration settings for the functionality so must be referenced to ensure the required set up is activated.

  • Catch weight in procurement management:

    The process by which catch weight is configured and used from a logistical perspective in procurement is described in .

  • Catch weight in production:

    For catch weight in production, the manufacturing order is entered as per the normal process in basic unit of measure. Catch weight will be reported in a number of places when the items are manufactured. The issued material is reported in both basic unit of measure and catch weight in 'Manufact Order. Report Issue' (PMS060/E) where a weight is proposed (due to the conversion factor) but can be changed. Receipts are reported in basic unit of measure and catch weight in 'Manufact Order. Report Receipt' (PMS050), where a weight is proposed (due to the conversion factor) but can be changed. The by-product is reported in basic unit of measure and catch weight in 'Manufact Order. Report By-product' (PMS080/E) where again, a weight is proposed (due to the conversion factor) but can be changed. The co-product is reported in basic unit of measure and catch weight in 'Manufact Order. Report Co-product' (PMS090/E), where the weight is proposed (due to the conversion factor) but can be changed. If orderless production functionality is used for the catch weight-product, report the manufactured quantity in basic unit of measure and catch weight in 'Manufact Order. Report Orderless' (PMS260).

  • Catch weight in distribution order management:

    The process by which catch weight is managed during dispatch is described in .

  • Catch weight in warehouse management:
    • The internal warehouse activities such as quick inventory counting and inventory counting as they relate to the concept of catch weight and its functionality are described in .
    • describes how to update a catch weight measurement and view the impact of the change against the balance identity and stock transaction history.
    • The conditions under which catch weight loss transactions are displayed along with the locations they are displayed are described in .
    • The internal warehouse activities involved in reclassification for balance ID are described in .
    • The internal warehouse activities associated with movements for balance ID are described in .
  • Catch weight in customer order management:

    The concept of catch weight and its application in the area of customer order processing is described in .

Related topics
  • Catch Weight and Cost Unit of Measure Settings
  • Catch Weight in Purchase Order
  • Catch Weight in Distribution Order
  • Manage Location Based Catch Weight
  • Perform Physical Inventory For a Catch Weight Item
  • Catch Weight Update
  • Catch Weight Loss Transactions
  • Reclassification of Balance Identity for a Catch Weight Item
  • Change Location on Balance Identity for a Catch Weight Item