Topic overview
This article describes how the Merge/split identifiers application is structured. The application provides convenient functions for merging and splitting identifiers.
You can find instructions on how to work with merging/splitting identifiers, e.g. how to merge or split identifiers, in the article Procedures: Merge/split identifiers.
Definitions of terms
Identifiers
An identifier enables the identification of specific items or item variants. As identifiers, batch, lot, and serial number are supported.
Batches
A batch is one of the possible identifiers for an item. Batch management means that part of the inventory of an item is identifiable with a batch number. An expiration date is always assigned to a batch. Warehouse inventory management is carried out at item and batch level.
Lots
The lot is one of the possible identifiers for an item. Lot specification means that part of the inventory of an item is identifiable with a lot number. The warehouse inventory is managed at item and lot level.
Expiration date
The expiration date (BBD) is the date up to which the usability of a batch is guaranteed. After the expiration date, the lot is not considered for withdrawal. The expiration date of a batch must be specified.
Quality status (QA status)
A quality status or quality assurance status (QA status) can be defined for the warehouse and warehouse zone levels, and in parallel also for the identifier level. Inventory can be analyzed and utilized specifically according to QA status. If QA status is defined for certain inventory both at the warehouse level and for the identifier level, the inventory has the lower QA status.
Serial numbers
Serial numbers are possible identifiers for items. Serial number identification means that every unit of an item is given a serial number that identifies it uniquely throughout the system. In contrast to batches and lots, a serial number applies to exactly one base unit of the item.
Application description
The Merge/split identifiers application is used to merge or split identifier inventories.
The Merge/split identifiers application consists of an identification pane and a work pane. Splitting and merging are each carried out via a separate view in the application.
Identification pane: Split view
The identification pane contains the fields that define a context for an identifer inventory.
Below is a detailed description of individual fields:
Inventory owner – enter the inventory owner for whom an inventory is to be split. The inventory owner must be specified.
Warehouse – enter the warehouse in which the inventory to be split is stored. The specification of a warehouse is mandatory.
Warehouse zone – enter a warehouse zone in which the inventory to be split is stored.
A warehouse zone must be specified if the warehouse is a structured warehouse. If the warehouse is subdivided, the warehouse zone must be specified.
Storage location – specify a storage location in which the inventory to be split is stored. It is necessary to specify the storage location if a structured warehouse zone is specified. If the warehouse zone is subdivided, the storage location must be specified. The field supports storage location details.
Item – specify the item for which the [Split] action is to be carried out. The item must be specified.
Source identifier – enter the identifier of the inventory to be split. The specification of the source identifier is mandatory.
Source loading unit – specify the loading unit from which the split quantity is to be collected.
Include inventory – selectable options:
- Inventory
- Available inventory
- Special inventory
The Warehouse zone and Storage location fields are only displayed if the Storage location control function is active for the client in the Customizing application.
Work pane: Split view
The work pane consists of a line item list. The first line provides information about the available inventory of the source identifier. All other lines can be edited to provide information on the destination identifiers of the split.
Line item list
The first line displays information about the available inventory of the source identifier. This line cannot be changed.
Below is a description of individual columns:
Destination identifier (source identifier) – the source identifier entered in the identification pane is displayed in this field.
Exp. date (text) – the text Available inventory is displayed in this field.
Quantity – quantity of the available inventory of the source identifier.
All other lines can be edited to provide information on the destination identifiers of the split. Below is a description of individual columns:
Destination identifier – you can enter a new identifier identification in this column, which is generated when the [Split] action is executed. If no identifier identification is specified, it is generated by the system.
Exp. date – you can enter the expiration date (BBD) of the batch in this column. If no expiration date is specified, the system determines it based on the item master data. In this context, please also note the function Use source identifier data.
Quantity – the available inventory of the source identifier is displayed.
Destination loading unit – enter the loading unit in which the split inventory is to be included. The loading unit must have the status Created and be released.
Use source identifier data – if this function is activated, the data from the source identifier is used to create the new identifier. This includes, for example, the expiration date, the retaining date etc. for batches or weights and dimensions. The default value is determined from the customizing function Identifier.
[Add new row] button
You can use the [Add new row] button to add a new row to the line item list for editing in order to enter details of a destination identifier to be split. If there is no available inventory for the specification defined in the identification pane and its warehouse, the button cannot be selected.
Identification pane: Merge view
The identification pane contains the fields that define a context for an inventory to be merged.
Below is a detailed description of individual fields:
Inventory owner – enter the inventory owner for whom an inventory is to be merged. It is mandatory to specify the inventory owner.
Warehouse – enter the warehouse in which the inventory to be merged is stored. The specification of a warehouse is mandatory.
Warehouse zone – specify a warehouse zone in which the inventory to be merged is stored. A warehouse zone must be specified if the warehouse is a structured warehouse. If the warehouse is subdivided, the warehouse zone must be specified.
Storage location – specify a storage location in which the inventory to be merged is stored. The storage location must be entered if a structured warehouse zone is specified. If the warehouse zone is subdivided, the storage location must be specified. The field supports storage location details.
Item – specify the item for which the [Merge] action is to be carried out. The item must be specified.
Destination identifier – enter the identifier that should be created during the merge. You can enter a new or an existing identifier.
Destination loading unit – enter the loading unit into which the inventory is to be included after merging. The loading unit must have the status Created and be released.
Exp. date – specify the expiration date (BBD) in this field. This will only be taken into account for batch items.
The Warehouse zone and Storage location fields are only displayed if the Storage location control function is active for the client in the Customizing application. The Destination loading unit field is only displayed if the Shipping/loading units function is active for the site of the warehouse entered.
Work pane: Merge view
The work pane consists of a line item list and is filled based on the entries in the identification pane (contains all identifiers that have an available inventory after refreshing).
Line item list
Information about the available inventory and the source identifier is displayed in the line items. In addition, the quantity to be split from the available inventory and merged with the destination identifier can be specified.
Below is a detailed description of individual columns:
Source identifier – the source identifier is displayed in this column. This field cannot be changed.
Exp. date – the expiration date (BBD) is displayed in this column. This field cannot be changed.
Source loading unit – specify the loading unit from which the quantity to be merged is to be collected.
Available inventory – this column shows the available inventory of the source identifier. This field cannot be changed.
Quantity – in this column, enter the quantity that should be split from the available inventory and merged with the destination identifier.
The Exp. date column is only visible if a batch has been entered in the identification pane.
Application-related actions
The following application-related actions are available in the Merge/split identifiers application:
Refresh
Split view
The [Refresh] action is used to determine the available inventory of the source identifier specified in the identification pane and its warehouse.
Merge view
The [Refresh] action is used to determine the available inventory of all identifiers according to the entries in the identification pane.
For a more detailed description and procedures, refer to the article Procedures: Merge/split identifiers.
Post
Split view
The [Post] action is used to split the inventory of the source identifier specified in the identification pane into the identifiers defined in the line item list.
Merge view
The [Post] action is used to merge the identifier inventories specified in the work pane according to the entries in the identification pane.
For a more detailed description and procedures, refer to the article Procedures: Merge/split identifiers.
Customizing
The following settings are relevant for the Merge/split identifiers application in the Customizing application → Inventory management/Identifiers function → Merge/Split grouping.
Merge posting key – the specified posting key is used when merging identifiers in the Merge/split identifiers application.
Splitting posting key – the specified posting key is used when splitting identifiers in the Merge/split identifiers application.
Use source identifier data – the setting in this field determines the default setting of the Use source identifier data field in the line item list of the Split view.
The Warehouse zone and Storage location fields are only displayed if the Storage location control function is active for the client in the Customizing application.
The Destination loading unit field is only displayed if the Loading units function is active in the Customizing application for the respective site of the warehouse specified in the identification pane.
Business entities
The following business entity is relevant for the Merge/split identifiers application, which you use, for example, to
- to assign authorizations
- set up activity definitions
- import or export data
Identifier: com.cisag.app.inventory.obj.InventoryIdentifier
The business entity belongs to the following business entity group:
Warehouse master data: com.cisag.app.inventory.MasterData
Authorizations
Authorizations can be assigned both with the help of authorization roles and by assigning an organization. The authorization concept can be found in the technical article Authorizations.
Special skills
There are no special skills for the Merge/split identifiers application.
Organizational assignments
If the Content-related authorizations function is activated in the Customizing application, a person can only use the Merge/split identifiers application if they have been assigned an organization in the partner master data that is included in at least one of the following organizational structures:
- Inventory management
In order for a person to be able to split or merge inventories of an identifier in a warehouse, one of the organizations assigned to them must be entered in the Authorizations table in the Warehouses application.
Further information on the Authorizations table and a comprehensive overview of content-related authorizations can be found in the Content-related authorizations article.
Special features
There are no special features for the Merge/split identifiers application.
Authorizations for business partners
The Merge/split identifiers application is not released for business partners.