Distribution Help and User Guide | Stock Matrix

1. Changes to Standard Sage screens

In addition to the new menu options described later in this help and user guide, there are also changes to standard Sage screens, which are detailed in this section.

1.1. Sales Order Processing

Matrix – Allows the Stock Matrix function to be used from within the Sales Order.

Multiple stock items, from predefined Stock Matrix Groups, can be added to the Sales Order. If the ‘Use Advanced Selection’ tick box is enabled, the drop-down list will filter as the user enters the text. However, as this can compromise the performance of this screen, it’s advised that this feature is only used when there is a large number of groups to filter.

The Sales Order quantities can be entered in a Grid or List view.

Clicking on the value entry field in Grid view displays the free stock quantity to the right.

Once the quantities have been entered, the Add to Sales Order button will create the Sales Order lines.

Where a Sales Price has been added to a Price List, a pop-up screen allows the edit of prices and discounts, before creating the Sales Order lines.

1.2. Purchase Order Processing

Matrix – Allows the Stock Matrix function to be used from within the Purchase Order.

Multiple stock items, from predefined Stock Matrix Groups, can be added to the Purchase Order. If the ‘Use Advanced Selection’ tick box is enabled, the drop-down list will filter as the user enters the text. However, as this can compromise the performance of this screen, it’s advised that this feature is only used when there is a large number of groups to filter.

As with the Sales Order, the Purchase Order quantities can be entered in a Grid or List view.

Once the quantities have been entered, the Add to Purchase Order button will create the Purchase Order lines.

2. Stock Matrix Menu

2.1. Stock Matrix Settings

The attributes for the Stock Matrix are configured in the settings. Pre-defined Attributes of Size and Colour can be automatically added, and new ones set. The Attribute Options can be amended when, for example, colours are added or removed from the product line.

Update Matrix Groups will amend the details of any group that is using the attributes, after they have been modified.

2.2. Stock Matrix Groups

Attributes Tab

Within the Stock Matrix Groups, the user can create a new group and choose which attributes to use.

The Stock Item Code Format will determine the format in which the codes are generated. The drop down list allows the user to add a group attribute, but free text can also be added to the field.

Characters can be added to separate the attributes in the stock code, and the tick boxes determine whether the fields will be included when creating the code.

Stock Items tab

In the Stock Items tab, all the details required to create the stock item are input.

Generate Stock Codes

This will generate the stock codes based on the information input into the Stock Items Group screen.

Generate Stock Items

Once the stock codes have been generated, the stock items can be created.

At this point, stock can be added and prices set.

The stock items have now been created and can viewed in the Stock List screen.

Stock Matrix Utility

This allows stock matrix groups to be created based on existing stock items. It allows existing stock codes and names to be taken apart to create new matrix groups.

3. Reports

Consignment Transfer – Only available with Warehouse Replenishment module

Purchase Orders & Returns Linked to Sales Orders – Only available with POP Management

Purchase Orders Outstanding Tracking Dates – Only available with Container Manager.

Purchase Orders Awaiting Confirmation Detail – Only available with POP Management

Purchase Orders Awaiting Confirmation Summary – Only available with POP Management

Discontinued Stock Items – Only available with SOP Management.

4. Utilities Menu

4.1. Settings

Enable ‘Stock Matrix’ button – The Stock Matrix button will appear on the POP and SOP screens.

Default filter option for the stock matrix – The filter in the Stock Matrix screen will default to this setting.

Enable Stock Matrix Utility – Enables the Stock Matrix utility to be used.

4.2. Sage to Sicon SO Fulfilment

This screen allows you to update existing Sales and Purchase Orders to use the new fulfilment methods in Distribution. You can click the Run button to apply the switch to all live and on hold orders, or alternatively specify individual sales or purchase order numbers and click the relevant run button next to the order number field.

4.3. Import Stock Item Settings

The Distribution Settings, required within the Stock Item Details screen, can be imported via a .csv file. Clicking on the Example Import File button provides the user with the Excel sheet to populate, and subsequently save as a .csv file.

The Check File button will check the data for any errors. Lines with errors will be highlighted in red. Hovering the mouse over the Stock Item will display the reason for the error. Please note, the Stock Item data must be in the exact format as the data in Sage, i.e. capitals/lowercase.

Once all the data is correct, the Import button will no longer be greyed out and the data can be imported.

4.4. Enable Module

The Enable Strings supplied by Sicon are displayed here.

5. Dashboards

Dashboards can be created here and new Dashboard Panels created.

6. Help and User Guide Menu Option

This menu option provides access to this Help & User Guide.

7. Release Notes

The release notes page shows which release of the system includes new features or issues resolved.

At the release of Sicon v21 we announced that going forward, we will only be supporting Sage 200c and as such we are able to drop the year from our version numbers. We moved from 201.201.0.0 to 210.0.0.

New features detailed in the Release Notes relating to Pre-Release versions will not be detailed in the current Help and User Guide until the end of development phase.

8. New Features & Important Information