Warehouse managers can use the Item Short Name Lookup (ISN) screen in the Purchasing module to search for stock items in the Statewide Item File. Stock items are designated by a catalog number (which is currently “STCK” for all stock items). The Item Short Name Lookup (ISN) screen cannot be used to locate items which reside only in the item file in the Inventory module. Items must be associated with warehouses before they become a part of the Statewide Item File in the Purchasing module and can be located via the Item Short Name Lookup (ISN) screen.

The Item Short Name Lookup (ISN) screen uses the item’s short name to perform an alphanumeric search for the item. Each item is assigned up to 11 short names. Short names begin with either letters or numerical designators. Enter the short name on the Item Short Name Lookup (ISN) screen without spaces, pluralization, or punctuation. In addition, enter the @ symbol after the short name in the SHORT NAME field on the screen. This symbol instructs the NCAS to find all items with the letters or numbers that precede it. The @ symbol also allows you to enter a portion of the short name in this field and to pull up all items containing that name.

When the warehouse manager has completed an item search, he or she can select an item displayed on the Item Short Name Lookup (ISN) screen in the Purchasing module and carry it forward to process a requisition (Refer to the Requisitioning and Approval CBT and Handbook to learn how to drag the item number from the Item Short Name Lookup (ISN) screen to a requisitioning screen). However, the item number cannot be dragged to the Inventory module. When requesting items from warehouses online, you must make note of the item number. When you return to the Inventory module, you must enter this number manually.