The purpose of this function is to assign an automatic item code to those items grouped and created within the Item classification functionality.
If this function is activated, a valid number series must be connected to the number series for Item code generation. In addition, layout keyword %AUTIC – Put automatic item code will be available for use when defining the layout definition for layout code “05” “Item code”.
There are two different scenarios where this function can be used by the system:
- When item code is not desired to be entered manually nor is relevant: By only defining %AUTIC as the layout definition for layout code “05” “Item code”, the system will automatically assign a next number from the defined number series as the item code when applying the Item classification definition to generate the item.
- When item code is to be generated as a combination of variables and/or constants: %AUTIC is recommended to be included within the layout definition for layout code “05” “Item code” in order to ensure that the generated item code is unique when applying the Item classification definition to generate the item.
Note: When the item code is to be generated as a combination of variables and %AUTIC is NOT included within the layout definition, there could be a scenario where none of the variables (characteristics values) are entered (if they are not mandatory) when applying the Item classification definition to generate the item, which would result in an empty item code. If such is the case, the system will check if function AUTITEMC is active and if so, the system will automatically assign a next number from the defined number series as the item code. If the function is not active, the user will be taken to the Item file maintenance, Basic data panel where the user will be prompted to enter an item code as standard.