The OSC adds stock item information to the item file in the Inventory module. This information is transferred to the Statewide Item File in the Purchasing module when an item is assigned to a warehouse via the Item Warehouse Entry (IWE) screen. When an item is linked to a warehouse on the Item Warehouse Entry (IWE) screen, the catalog number entered on the Item Warehouse Entry (IWE) screen passes to the Purchasing module along with the item number. The catalog number and the item number are the key components of the Purchasing module’s Statewide Item File. The catalog number STCK, which denotes a stock item in the Statewide Item File, is the standard catalog number used when items are linked to warehouses. You will learn how to link an item to a warehouse later in this section.

Inventory item information that originates in the Inventory module cannot be changed once it passes to the Purchasing module. The item’s description, default accounting distribution, stock-keeping unit, catalog number, and value class cannot be changed in Purchasing. However, data elements such as the item’s commodity codes, short name, alternate names, and comments can be updated in Purchasing because this information does not originate in the Inventory module. However, only the OSC may update this information.