Hi!
Over the past few years with system integrations between the materials management system (Lawson) and the OR system (Surginet) there has been an increase in requests for creating Lawson item catalog numbers. Our process has been if an item is used by multiple departments and/or is ordered multiple times within a month, the item will be assigned a Lawson item number. The usage will determine if this is in a perpetual inventory or ordered direct. If an item will reside on the shelf within the department we do assign Lawson item numbers regardless of the usage. The area of inquiry is mostly from the OR. Many items are brought in for a case some have Lawson item numbers and some do not. If there is historical usage showing the item is purchased frequently we will create a Lawson item number. We do not create Lawson item numbers for all items on a contract or for those items usage is unknown.
How do other organizations manage their process of adding items to their item catalogs? Do you add all items for all department regardless of usage? There are resource constraints to managing a larger item catalog. I appreciate any feedback on how you manage your item requests.
