Potentially one of the handiest SYSPRO 7 Update 1 features is the enhanced Stock Code Substitution. You can now configure SYSPRO to automatically suggest suitable replacements when taking a customer order and stock is not available.

Not only does this speed the processing of orders, it can save the customer relationship in an otherwise embarrassing situation.

Enabling Stock Code Substitution

To enable this feature, go to the Stock Code program under Inventory > Setup. The Stock Code Maintenance window will open. Then in the Sales Details pane enable the option ‘Automatic apply’ in the Alternate stock codes, close the window, and select Yes in the Save Changes popup.

SYSPRO is now able to suggest any alternatives that exist for that stock code.

To ensure you can control things exactly as you want, there are two more steps. First we need to set up some acceptable alternates. Then we will look at control by customer.

Setting up Alternate Stock

To set up an alternate for any specific stock code, in the Inventory module go to Setup > Alternate Stock Codes.

In Alternate Stock Codes window, enter the stock code that you want to modify in the Stock code drop down. Then in the Alternate Stock Code Maintenance pane, enter the alternate stock code in the next free line. Close the window and save your changes.

You can enter multiple alternates, if helpful. You can even control the preferred order in which they are selected by entering a higher number in the Priority column. When no priority is selected, then the program will substitute the stock code in alphabetical or numerical order.

Automatically Applying the Stock Codes

 The final step is determining which customers we allow to have alternate stock codes automatically. If we prefer to allow the manual selection of alternatives for a customer, just skip this step.

To do this go to the Accounts Receivable module and then Setup > Customers to open the AR Customer Maintenance window and select a customer that you want to automatically apply stock code substitution against.

Then, in the General Details pane, select Automatic apply alternate stock code.

Exit and save your changes.

Bringing it all together

From now on when you are entering that customer’s order and the desired stock code is not available, the first priority alternate stock is automatically applied when you click on Alternate Stock option in the Insufficient Stock window.

Result: Happy customer and fast & effective order processing!