Adding a Material 📦

Materials are the building blocks of your products. This guide will show you how to add materials to your inventory system so you can track what you have, where it's stored, and how much it costs.

Before You Start

Make sure you have:

• Access to the Inventory section (Manager or Admin role)
• Material information ready (name, type, supplier, cost)
• Storage location planned (rack and bin numbers)
• Supplier information (you can add suppliers first if needed)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Navigate to Inventory

1. Look at the left sidebar on your screen
2. Find the "INVENTORY & SUPPLY" section
3. Click on "Inventory" - this will take you to the materials list page

Step 2: Open the Add Item Dialog

1. Look for the "Add Item" button - it's usually in the top-right corner
2. Click the "Add Item" button (or the "+" icon)
3. A sheet will slide in from the right with the material form

Step 3: Fill in Material Information

The form is organized into sections. Let's go through each one:

Basic Information

• Name (required): Material name

  • Example: Steel Sheet 2mm or M8 Bolts 50mm
  • Be descriptive and consistent with your naming

• Description (optional): Detailed description

  • Example: Cold-rolled steel sheet, 2mm thickness, 1000x2000mm
  • Include specifications, grades, or special notes

• Type (required): Material category

  • Raw Material: Basic materials like steel, wood, plastic
  • Component: Pre-made parts like bolts, bearings, electronics
  • Finished Good: Completed products ready for sale
  • Consumable: Items that get used up like glue, paint, lubricants

Measurement & Pricing

• Unit (required): How you measure this material

  • Pieces: pcs for individual items
  • Weight: kg for kilograms, lbs for pounds
  • Length: m for meters, ft for feet
  • Volume: L for liters, gal for gallons
  • Area: m² for square meters, ft² for square feet

• Price (required): Cost per unit

  • Enter the current cost per unit
  • Example: $25.50 per kg or $0.15 per piece

• Package Quantity (optional): Items per package

  • Example: 100 if you buy bolts in packs of 100
  • Leave blank if not applicable

Supplier Information

• Supplier (optional): Who you buy this from
  • Select from your supplier list
  • If the supplier isn't listed, you can add them later
  • This helps with purchasing and cost tracking

Storage Location

• Rack (optional): Storage rack number

  • Example: A1, Main Warehouse, Shelf 3
  • Helps you find materials quickly

• Bin (optional): Specific bin within the rack

  • Example: B1, Top Shelf, Left Side
  • More specific location within the rack

Additional Information

• Minimum Stock Level (optional): When to reorder

  • Example: 50 pieces or 100 kg
  • System will alert you when stock gets low

• Maximum Stock Level (optional): Maximum you want to keep

  • Example: 500 pieces or 1000 kg
  • Helps prevent overstocking

• Custom Fields (optional): Any additional information

  • Click "Add Custom Field" if you need to track specific attributes
  • Examples: Color, grade, certification, expiration date

Step 4: Save the Material

1. Review all the information you've entered
2. Click "Save" button
3. You'll see a success message confirming the material was created

What Happens Next

The Material is Now Available

• It appears in your inventory list
• You can see current stock levels
• It's available when creating products and work orders
• You can track usage and costs

Stock Management

• Initial stock: You'll need to add your current inventory
• Stock adjustments: Add or remove stock as needed
• Stock movements: Track when materials are used or received

Material Types Explained

Raw Materials

• What they are: Basic materials you use to make products
• Examples: Steel, aluminum, wood, plastic, fabric
• How to track: Usually by weight, length, or area
• Cost tracking: Track cost per unit (kg, m, m²)

Components

• What they are: Pre-made parts you assemble
• Examples: Bolts, nuts, bearings, electronics, fasteners
• How to track: Usually by pieces
• Cost tracking: Track cost per piece

Finished Goods

• What they are: Completed products ready for sale
• Examples: Your manufactured products
• How to track: Usually by pieces
• Cost tracking: Track total manufacturing cost

Consumables

• What they are: Items that get used up in production
• Examples: Glue, paint, lubricants, cutting tools
• How to track: Usually by volume or pieces
• Cost tracking: Track cost per unit used

Tips and Best Practices

Naming Conventions

• Be consistent: Use the same format for similar materials
• Include specifications: Add size, grade, or type in the name
• Use abbreviations carefully: Make sure they're clear to everyone

Pricing Strategy

• Update prices regularly: Keep costs current for accurate pricing
• Track price history: Monitor cost changes over time
• Consider bulk pricing: Set up different prices for different quantities

Storage Organization

• Logical grouping: Store similar materials together
• Easy access: Put frequently used items in accessible locations
• Clear labeling: Make sure rack and bin numbers are visible

Stock Levels

• Set realistic minimums: Don't set them too low or too high
• Consider lead times: Account for how long it takes to reorder
• Review regularly: Adjust levels based on usage patterns

Troubleshooting

Material Not Appearing in Lists

• Check if the material is active (not deactivated)
• Verify you're looking in the right category
• Make sure you have permission to view materials

Can't Select Supplier

• The supplier might not exist in your system
• Add the supplier first, then come back to add the material
• Check if you have permission to view suppliers

Price Not Calculating Correctly

• Verify the unit price is entered correctly
• Check if package quantity is set properly
• Make sure the unit of measure matches your pricing

Storage Location Issues

• Rack and bin names must match exactly
• Check for typos in location names
• Make sure the location exists in your system

Next Steps

Now that you've added a material, you might want to:

• Adding a Supplier - Add suppliers for your materials
• Creating a Product - Use materials in your products
• Managing Inventory - Learn about stock management
• Cost Tracking - Track material costs and usage

Need Help?

• 📖 Check other guides in this documentation
• 🎯 Use the search feature to find specific information
• 💬 Contact support if you need additional help

That's it! You've successfully added a material to your inventory system. 🎉