Vendor Catalog number in the item number field for Specials

Does anyone use the Vendor catalog number in the item number field for Special type items?

Is that more common practice than using the word "SPECIAL"?

Are there any drawbacks to using the vendor catalog number?

We have been live with FSM Cloud suite for a bit over a year in Supply Chain. Due to some issues with cost defaulting on Special Items when PO Vendor is changed (because of our use of the word SPECIAL), we are now discussing making a change to using vendor item. Wanted to see what the community is doing, or any comments people can share on this topic.

Thank you!

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gtesche

We have mostly used the vendor catalog # in the ITEM field when ordering specials. Since there is already a field to define the item type as a special, I'm not sure how helpful using SPECIAL is in the ITEM field.

ben-auer

Hey Melissa,

When ordering specials we have a few categories. Each of these categories dictate what information is used for the special item in the item field.

1.) RSS Specials Not On Contract

Our requesters are instructed to enter: manufacturer item number, reorder number, or reference number.
Our buyers then review that information and adjust the vendor item# as needed for ordering from whatever determined source.

2.) Contracted Specials - are you using contracted specials?

We utilize the manufacturer item# for contracted specials.

In terms of drawbacks, I think it all matters what other information is on the special item. Almost anything is better than the word SPECIAL though!

If you have the vendor item as the item number, is the manufacturer item# present somewhere on the item as well? It is good practice to include the manufacturer item# on the records for recalls, usage, rebates, tracings, etc.

I also recommend making sure the vendor item# for the vendor item# is in the vendor item field.

Thanks,

Ben

unknown

Thank you, Ben. This is helpful!

ryan-kellogg

Thanks Gretchen! I believe this is the default behavior as well.

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