One small topic, 10 questions on Item Stock Categories:

Q1 – What are the Stock Categories?

Answer – There are three, STK, NS, SP 

Stocked (STK), Non-Stocked (NS), Special Order (SP). There is an OrganizationsA structural element of a Maximo database which is used for data sharing and is often aligned to a legal entity of an organisation. More application setting in PO Options dialog where you can enable Special Order items.

Q2 – In which Inventory module applications can you define a Stock Category for an item?

Answer – Item Master, Tools

There is also a Stock Category field in the Inventory object, but this is hidden in the Inventory and Stocked Tools applications.

Q3 – Where in Maximo would you define the Default Stock Category for new items?

Answer – Organizations, on the main tab. 

Q4 – What action would stop you from being able to change the stock category for an item?

Answer – Add Items to Storeroom 

The Stock Category field found in Item/Organization Details becomes read-only when the item has been added to a storeroom and you can only do this if the stock category is STK.

Q5 – What Stock Category would be found in the database for a Service Item?

Answer – NS (non-stocked)

It isn’t a trick question. Although it is not visible in the Service Items application it is defaulted when new service items are created.

Q6 – How does the setting of the stock category effect a work order?

Answer – The Stock Category sets the Direct Issue field if NS, and makes the storeroom field mandatory if STK. 

Q7 – For a PO line that has been created from a Purchase Requisition line where does it derive the stock category from?

Answer – From the corresponding Purchase Requisition line.

The Stock Category is copied from MR line to PR line to PO line. It isn’t derived from the item unless this is a new line entered on the purchase order.

Q8 – From a costing point of view what is the difference between items with different stock categories?

Answer – STK items use the inventory cost tables (INVCOST, INVLIFOFIFOCOST or ASSET). NS items use the last price field on the vendor record for the item (INVVENDOR).

Q9 – What stock categories of an item can you raise a purchase order with Charge To a Storeroom?

Answer – STK and SP

Only stock category of STK are intended for a storeroom. A Special Order item can be charged to a storeroom in Maximo 7.6.1.1. For a NS item you would get the error message “BMXAA7922E – The item cannot be added to the storeroom. The stock category of the item is Non-Stocked for the current organization.”

Q10 – The Category field exists in the Inventory object why would you consider not using it?

Answer – You can see it from the Item Master – Storerooms tab, but you shouldn’t use it without very careful consideration:

• The Add Items to Storerooms only works if the category at the item/organization level is STK
• The Category field was hidden from the Inventory user interface
• The Category field was excluded from the MXINVENTORY object structure
• The stock category in other applications like Work Order Tracking or the purchasing-based applications is derived from the item/organization level and not the category field at the inventory level
• Special order items destined for a storeroom have a stock category of SP at the item/organization level but are given a STK category at the inventory level
• The unit cost will be derived using the stock category at the item/organization level and not the stock category at the inventory level.  If NS at item/organization level, it will use INVVENDOR. If STK at item/organization level, it will use INVCOST, INVLIFOFIFOCOST or ASSET.