Note: This was originally included in the September 18, 2012 newsletter.
Question: I found the following: In the Report tab: Inventory > Inventory stock status by item. And on that report, there is a column for reorder points. My question is that we want a column for build point because most of our items need to be built in the system. Please advise if possible.
Submitted by Michele
Answer: Thanks Charlie Russell for correcting me with the following: “In QuickBooks, an inventory assembly item DOES have a “build point” field. In the database this is treated differently than the “reorder point” of inventory part items. In the inventory stock status by item report, the “build point” doesn’t show in the report – if your balance is lower than the build point it will NOT be checked – in QB 2012 and older. Starting with Qb 2013, they finally fixed this. BUT in the database they are separate fields.”
When you reach the build point, as Charlie stated, it does not show on the stock status report, but, you can create a pending build transaction which will show all of the components on the Inventory Stock Status report from QuickBooks as “For Assemblies” so you can see for the components where you might be short. Note that assemblies are a Premier and QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions feature.
To take the Inventory Stock Status report to the next level, you might also consider XpandedReports, a third party reporting tool. Using custom fields for minimum order quantities, lead times, etc. you can then include that on a report (even with different sales periods) and build the calculations to tell you how much of each item you need to purchase. For one of my clients, this report alone took 2 hours of manual Excel work each Monday morning to figure out what needed to be ordered down to less than 5 minutes. Note that this report will include the build point as well as the re-order point, but it does not include the Qty on Assembly.
Note: We have experience with the QuickBooks Inventory features including the Advanced Inventory feature which includes multiple locations, serial or lot number tracking, FIFO costing method, and with the 2013 release, bar code scanning and bin location tracking. Contact Us for more information on how we might help you manage this important asset.