SKU Master

Introduction

A Stock Keeping Unit or SKU is a distinct type of item that can be purchased, sold, or tracked with a unique alphanumeric code/scannable bar code printed on it or its packaging. This code contains all the attributes associated with that item-type that can distinguish it from other item-types. These attributes can be manufacturer name, material used, color, size, warranty, etc. The term SKU is used by stores, e-commerce vendors, warehouses, product fulfilment centres and any other business in inventory management field.

 

SKU Master in Vin eRetail

The SKU Master in Vin eRetail enables users to add and search an already existing SKU. The users can refine the search further by using available filters like ‘Classification’, ‘Brand’, ‘Vendor’, etc. There is also a provision to Export all the data present on the SKU Enquiry screen.

Vin eRetail allows users to Add new SKUs in three ways:

  1. Through SKU Import screen for bulk import.
  2. Through Add New button on the SKU Master screen.
  3. Through eRetail API's.

 

Navigation: Master >> SKU Management >> SKU Master


The following are the fields based on which the SKUs can be searched:

  • SKU Code: SKU code is the User defined code given to the SKU.
  • Style: It is used to identify ‘Style’ SKU from a ‘Variant’ SKU.
  • SKU Name: SKU name is the User defined name given to the SKU.
  • Classification: This is used to classify a SKU. Ex: ‘Normal’, ‘BOM’, etc.
  • Size/Color: This field gives details about the size and color of the SKU.
  • MRP: This field reflects the MRP of the SKU.
  • Base Cost: This field reflects the cost of the SKU which is the amount at which it was procured.
  • Sale Price: This reflects the price of the SKU which is the amount at which it will be listed for sale.
  • Vendor SKU Code: It is the Vendor SKU Code i.e. the code used by the vendor to identify the SKU.
  • Primary Vendor: This is the primary vendor from whom the SKU is procured.
  • Brand Code: This is the name of the brand of the SKU.
  • Hierarchy Code: This reflects the hierarchy to which the SKU belong.
  • Attribute Set: This is a user defined classification and can be added through the Manage Attribute section of eRetail.
  • Status: It reflects the status of the SKU as ‘Active’, ‘Inactive’ or ‘Discontinued’.
  • Created By: This reflects the name of the user that created the SKU.
  • Created Date: This reflects the date on which the SKU was created.
  • Back Order: This is a Yes/No dropdown to identify the SKU if it is eligible for Back Orders.
  • Tax Category (HSN/ SAC): This gives details about the tax applicable on the sale of the SKU (HSN code)

Action Buttons: 

  • Search: Clicking on the search button without entering any filter criterion will populate the list of all the SKUs created so far based on default filter setting. User can further narrow down the search by using filter options to get any specific information.
  • Reset: Reset button will refresh the filter fields to default settings, i.e. to an initial state to start fresh search.
  • Advance Search : Advance Search opens a set of new filters to search SKU. Here the additional filters are ‘Site Location’, ‘Approved Status’, ‘Vendor Type’ and ‘SKU Source’.
  • Import: This allows users to create SKUs in bulk via file upload.
  • Export: This allows the user to take the export of the details visible on the screen in an excel template.
  • Meta Data Export: This allows the user to take the export of Metadata in an excel template.
  • Add New: Add new tab is used to create a new SKU in the system.

Add New: After clicking on the ‘Add New’ option, the following screen opens:


Graphical user interface, text, application, email Description automatically generated

The SKU classification dropdown has the following options to choose from:

Graphical user interface, application Description automatically generated

Out of these options, the four major classifications are Gradable, Normal, Style and BOM. The rest of the classifications are generated by users as per their individual requirements.

Classifications

Description

Gradable

This includes SKU that can be graded. Mostly used for Grocery.

Normal

This includes general physical SKU. It does not have any other attribute and classified feature added to it.

Style 

(and Variant)

 

This includes SKUs that are available in various size and color. It is mostly used for Footwear and Apparels. The same SKU in different size or color are then auto-classified as ‘Variants’ of that Style.

BOM

BOM SKU are those in which different SKUs that are already created in the system are bundled up together in a defined ratio form a new single SKU.

Available for Marketplace subscription checkbox: Marketplace subscription means making the SKU available virtually.


SKU Create/Edit

After selecting a classification from the given options, the following screen will be displayed:


On this screen, below tabs are present to capture all vendor related information:

  • SKU Details
  • User Defined Field
  • Attributes Detail
  • Other Details
  • ARS Details

 

SKU Details: This is further divided into four sections.

  • Product Detail
  • Pricing Detail
  • Dimension Detail
  • SKU Image

1. Product Detail section will consist of all the primary information related to the SKU.

  • SKU Code: Any unique code which a user gives to the SKU while creating it. This SKU code is a mandatory field and once created and saved cannot be changed and must be a unique number.
  • SKU Name & SKU Short Name: Enter the SKU name & Short name.
  • SKU Classification: SKU type out of the four types will be defined here initially when you click on create SKU button.
  • Style: This will reflect the Style SKU of the Variant
  • SKU Source: To mention the source of SKU here by selecting from the drop down whether it is a consignment product or an outright purchase.
  • Attribute Set; Size Group; Size; Color; Material: All these fields input values which appear in drop down are created & configured by user from the Other Masters of the Master section.
  • Primary UPC/EAN: UPC (Universal Product Code) or EAN (European Product Code) are the bar code for the SKU which will be entered here. Multiple barcodes can be supported by the single SKU.
  • Base UOM:  UOM is the Unit of Measurement in which the SKU will be measured or weighed which is used in advanced Shipment Notice, Invoice, Purchase Order documents etc.
  • Hierarchy Code: Hierarchy code helps user to configure merchandising hierarchy for SKU from the list as they could be the sub category or sub-sub category of the SKU.
  • Vendor SKU Code: The SKU code defined by the Vendor can be entered in this field.
  • Primary Vendor: Every SKU in system is linked to a Primary vendor which is a mandatory field. There can be multiple other secondary vendors also linked to the same SKU.
  • Vendor Name: This reflects the name of the Vendor.
  • Is Approved: Mention the status of the Vendor.
  • Status: It is used to set the status of the SKU as ‘Active’, ‘Inactive’ or ‘Deleted’
  • Country of Origin: Enter the country of origin of SKU by choosing from the down.
  • Brand Code:  Enter the name of the brand.
  • Link To Store: This is used to link the SKU to different stores, where it will be available for sale.
  • Back order & Back Order Quantity: This is used to make SKU eligible for back order and to set the back order quantity.

2. Pricing Detail: In this section below given pricing related details of the SKU will be entered.

  • MSRP/MRP
  • Sale Price
  • Base Cost
  • Std Margin %
  • Tax Category (HSN/SAC)
  • Tax Group

3. Dimension Detail: All the below given dimension criterion will be filled in with respect to each SKU as this information is further required for the Shipping purpose.

  • Height (CM)
  • Length (CM)
  • Width (CM)
  • Cube
  • Weight (KG)
  • Gross Weight (KG)

4. SKU Image:  Images of the SKU can be entered in different format through this section.

  • Image URL
  • Product Page URL
  • Image files


User Defined Fields: These are the custom fields which can be created by the User for SKU in case of any extra information required.

Attributes Detail: This section allows user to fill data related to the selection made on “SKU Detail” screen under “Attribute Set”.

Other Details: Other Detail section is further divided into two sections:

  • Detail 1
  • Detail 2


1. Detail 1: This section requires the user to input all the details of the product related to its shelf life. These details can be used to define validations at the time of Inbound and Picking.

Fields

Field Description

Shelf Life

This is used to enable and track shelf life for the SKU. 

Shelf Life Type

User needs to select what type of date is to be tracked for the SKU (Expiry date or Mfg. date)

Total Shelf Life

This field is used to enter the no. of days for which the SKU can be stored before it becomes unsafe to use. (Expiry Date)

Shelf Life on Receiving

This reflects the min. no. of days left for Expiry at inbound. If the shelf life of SKU is less than this no. then the system will not allow to Inbound it.

Shelf Life on Picking

This reflects the min. no. of days left for Expiry at the time of Picking. If the shelf life of SKU is less than this no. then the system will not allow to pick it

Serial Tracking

When this is enabled, the system will track the SKU based on its serial no.

Stackable

.When this is enabled, the SKUs can be stacked together.

Hazardous

This is used to mark the SKU as Hazardous.

Poisonous

This is used to mark the SKU as Poisonous.

Is Purchasable

User can purchase/raise a PO for the SKU only when this field is enabled.

Is Saleable

The SKU is made available for selling only when this field is enabled.

Is Stocked

 When this is enabled, the SKU should be stocked.

 

2. Detail 2: This section requires the user to input all the details of the product related to the SKU rotation and validation.

Fields

Field Description

Lottable Validation

This is used to define the Lottable Validation, applicable for the SKU.

SKU Rotation

This is used to select the SKU allocation strategy, which can be FEFO(First Expire First Out), FIFO(First In First Out) or LIFO(Last In First Out). Ex: for FEFO the SKU with min. shelf life will be allocated first.

Rotate By

It is used to select the attribute based on which the SKU will be allocated.

Recv. Validation Code

This is used to define the validations applicable at the time of Inbound.

Picking Instructions

This is used to select the standard instructions that need to be followed while picking the SKU.

Shipping Instructions

This is used to select the standard instructions that need to be followed while shipping the SKU.

Threshold Alert Required

This is enabled to set an alert when the SKU qty falls below the threshold.

Threshold Qty

The user can enter the threshold qty to set up the threshold alert.

Fulfilment Type

This is used to select the fulfilment Type for procuring the SKU.

Shipping Charges

This reflects the charges required for shipping the SKU.

Handling Charges

This reflects the charges required for handling the SKU.

Def Source WH

This is used to define the warehouse from where the SKU will be sourced/procured.

Is Uniquebarcode

When this is enabled, the system will maintain the USN for the SKU.

Is IpcAllowed

This is enabled for cross border fulfilment.

Is Repack Allowed

This is enabled for SKUs that need to be unpacked and then repacked into smaller packs. Ex: grocery

Minimum Transfer Qty

This reflects the min. qty of the SKU which is required to perform STO.

Transfer Unit Factor

The qty for which STO is to be created should be in the multiples of transfer unit factor. Ex: if it is 5 then STO qty can only be 5,10,15,20,25,etc

 

ARS Details: Auto Replenishment System or ARS is used for automatic purchase order creation and auto-delivery of products. In this section user needs to check if the ARS is required, and then mention the ARS method and stock details.

User needs to enable the checkbox and the rest details to be updated in the ARS screen. (Please refer to ARS documentation)


Variants: This section is accessible only for “Style” classification of SKU. In this section user can add and fill details of different variant SKUs to the main Style SKU.


Bundles Article: This section is accessible only for “BOM” classification of SKU. In this section the user can add multiple SKUs to create a new Bundled SKU. The user also has the option to select the ratio in which the SKUs need to be bundled to create the new SKU.


After filling the required details, user needs to click on Save button to create a SKU. Once the SKU is created same will be visible under SKU Master Enquiry screen.


Edit Existing SKU

To edit the existing SKU in the system, the user needs to navigate to the SKU Enquiry screen and click on the SKU code. This will open the SKU Create/Edit screen, where the user can edit the SKU details.