How to Set Up Pricing for Catch Weight Items

Catch Weights supports two pricing approaches - Default (base unit) and Alternate Unit of Measure (catch weight unit). This article guides you through selecting the right method and configuring pricing for your items.

Understanding the Two Pricing Methods

Default Pricing (Base Unit)

  • Unit prices are posted in the base unit of measure
  • The system calculates the price per catch weight unit by dividing the base price by the conversion factor
  • Best when vendors quote prices in the base unit and conversion factors are straightforward
  • Example: A vendor quotes $10 per palletload. If 1 pallet = 20 boxes, the system calculates $0.50 per box

Alternate Unit of Measure Pricing (Catch Weight Unit)

  • Unit prices are posted in the catch weight unit
  • Prices directly correspond to the catch weight unit on documents
  • Best when vendors quote prices directly in the catch weight unit or it's more convenient for your business
  • Example: Your supplier quotes $0.50 per box directly, which is the price you enter

Set Global Pricing Defaults

  1. Choose the Tell me what you want to do icon
  2. Enter Catch Weight Setup
  3. For Sales Pricing, select:
    • Default - All sales use base unit pricing (unless overridden per item)
    • Alternate Unit of Measure - All sales use catch weight unit pricing
  4. For Purchase Pricing, select:
    • Default - All purchases use base unit pricing
    • Alternate Unit of Measure - All purchases use catch weight unit pricing
  5. Save

Override Pricing for Individual Items

Global settings apply to all items, but you can override them per item:

  1. Open the Item Card
  2. In the Catch Weights section:
    • Catch Weight Sales Pricing - Override global sales pricing for this item
    • Catch Weight Purchase Pricing - Override global purchase pricing for this item
  3. Select the desired method, or leave blank to use the global default
  4. Save

Choose the Right Method for Your Business

Use Default Pricing When

  • Vendors primarily quote prices in the base unit (pallets, cases, bulk quantities)
  • Your conversion factors are stable and well-documented
  • Your base pricing system is complex and already established
  • Example: Food distributors buying bulk items quoted in standard units

Use Alternate Unit Pricing When

  • Vendors quote prices directly in the catch weight unit (per kg, per liter, per box)
  • The catch weight unit is the primary sales/purchase unit for the business
  • You want pricing to be more transparent and directly match customer quotes
  • Example: A beverage wholesaler quoting by bottle or case

Examples

Example 1: Beverage Sales (Default Pricing)

You sell beverages by the case (CS) but track by the bottle (BTL):

  • 1 CS = 12 BTL
  • Vendor sells at $12 per CS (base unit pricing)
  • Customer buys 100 BTL

Setup:

  • Global Sales Pricing: Default
  • Item has Alternate UoM: BTL
  • Sales Price: $12/CS

Document Entry:

  • Customer orders 100 BTL
  • System shows: Qty 8.33 CS (100 BTL ÷ 12) at $12/CS = $100

Example 2: Coffee Sales (Alternate Unit Pricing)

You sell coffee by the bag (BAG) but measure weight in kilograms (KG):

  • 1 BAG = 1 KG
  • Vendor charges $8 per KG
  • Customer buys 50 KG

Setup:

  • Global Sales Pricing: Alternate Unit of Measure
  • Item has Alternate UoM: KG
  • Sales Price: $8/KG

Document Entry:

  • Customer orders 50 KG
  • System shows: Qty 50 KG at $8/KG = $400

Register Sales and Purchase Prices

Once you've selected your pricing method, register prices using the standard pricing pages:

Sales Prices

  1. Open an Item Card
  2. Select Sales Prices from the actions
  3. Enter:
    • Effective Date - When this price starts
    • Unit of Measure Code - The unit the price is for:
      • Use the base unit code for Default pricing
      • Use the alternate unit code for Alternate Unit pricing
    • Unit Price - The price per unit
  4. Save

Purchase Prices

  1. Open a Vendor Card
  2. Select Purchase Prices from the actions
  3. Enter:
    • Item Number - The item code
    • Unit of Measure Code - The unit the price is for
    • Direct Unit Cost - The cost per unit
  4. Save

Handle Rounding and Precision

When using Default pricing, the system calculates the per-unit price by dividing. This can result in rounding:

  1. Configure rounding on the Item Units of Measure:
    • Catch Weight Rounding Type - Choose rounding direction
    • Catch Weight Rounding Precision - Set decimal places
  2. Prices will be rounded according to these settings

Verify Pricing in Documents

After setting up pricing, verify it works correctly:

  1. Create a Sales Order
  2. Add an item with catch weight pricing
  3. Enter a quantity in either the base or alternate unit
  4. Verify the Unit Price field shows the correct price
  5. Check that the Amount is calculated correctly

Switch Pricing Methods

If you need to change pricing methods:

  1. Review all sales and purchase prices currently registered
  2. Change the global setting in Catch Weight Setup
  3. Update item-level overrides as needed
  4. Update any sales or purchase prices that need adjustment
  5. Check active documents to ensure prices are still correct

Best Practices

  1. Document your choice - Write down which method you use and why
  2. Be consistent - Use the same method for related items
  3. Review historical data - Ensure your choice aligns with how you've been quoting prices
  4. Test with a pilot item - Before rolling out to many items, test pricing calculations
  5. Keep prices synchronized - If you use both units, maintain accurate conversion factors

Troubleshooting

Prices seem incorrect

  • Verify the unit of measure code in the price record matches your item's unit setup
  • Check that the conversion factor between units is correct
  • Review rounding settings if using Default pricing

I can't find the pricing page

  • Make sure the item is configured with an alternate unit of measure
  • Some pricing pages hide if not all prerequisites are met

Prices aren't calculated for catch weight items

  • Verify that Catch Weight Management is enabled
  • Check that the item has an alternate unit of measure assigned
  • Ensure the correct pricing method is selected (global or item-level)

See Also