Create Databases -> Inventory -> Custom -> Aliases

Aliases

An item alias is a second name for an item in your inventory database.

There are several uses for aliases. Customers sometimes refer to items in your database by something different than your item number. You can also use aliases to link UPC (Universal Product Code) numbers (barcodes) to your stock numbers. This is the most common use of aliases.

For more information on UPC numbers, see UPC Numbers.

In addition, aliases can be used to retrieve items for order entry. You can build an alias file, which
is an index that links the alias inventory record to the original item record. When an order-writer
enters the alias at order entry, the system retrieves the original record.

There are three types of aliases: common, print, and customer aliases.

Common aliases apply to all of your customers. When you use a Common alias, the alias number does not print on standard pick tickets and invoices.

Print aliases apply to all of your customers as well. Unlike Common aliases, however, Print
aliases print on standard pick tickets and invoices, along with the true item numbers.

Customer aliases apply only to the customer they are created for.

Customer aliases print on standard pick tickets and invoices, along with the true item number. Each customer can have a unique list of alias numbers. Therefore, a single cataloged item number may have several aliases.

If you are using electronic invoicing, you may want to add an EDI alias.

To learn more about item aliases, see About Item Aliases.

Use the following instructions to add an alias:

1. StartDDMSby double-clicking the icon on your desktop.
   
2. In theDDMSLogin window, the cursor appears in the User ID box. Type 101 and click the OK button. (You do not need a password.)

The number 101 is a salesperson number we preset when building your system. During the Let's Get Started program, you create a salesperson database. After you do this, each user has a unique number. You also have the option of assigning passwords for each user. For more information, see Salesperson Database.

3. Click the Databases menu in the DDMSDDMSMaster Menu and click Item Alias. The Item Alias dialog box opens.
   
4. In the Alias Types box, click the type of Alias that you want to create.
   
5. If you are adding a customer alias, go to Adding a Customer Alias.
   
   If you are adding a common alias, go to Adding a Common Alias.
   
   If you are adding a print alias, go to Adding a Print Alias.
   
   If you are adding an EDI alias, go to Adding an EDI Alias.