The Alternate Search parameters may be used to enable the Search function to cross-check database indexes when Inventory Items, Customers, and Vendors are entered on transactions. Not to be confused with the Alternate Inventory Codes feature, Alternate Search settings allow the system to automatically locate records even when a valid Number or Code is not entered in the proper entry field.
For example, with Alternate Search enabled for the Stock Number field, a barcode representing an item's Stock Number or Matrix Code may be scanned into the Product Code field to locate the correct item. The Alternate Search feature can be used to enter Inventory Items, Customers, or Vendors on all types of transactions (i.e. Sales Invoices, Purchase Orders, Quotes, Variances, Layaways, Rentals, etc.). Alternate Search does not work in Lookup Lists.
The best example of this feature's usage is if most, but not all, Inventory items are labeled with the manufacturer's UPC barcode (which is typically entered in the Product Code field), barcode labels for those items without UPC's may be printed where the barcode represents the item Stock Number. By enabling Alternate Search for the Stock Number field, both the UPC barcode and the locally printed barcode label may be scanned into the Product Code field to locate the correct item. If Alternate Search for the Stock Number field is disabled, a Stock Number may be entered only in the Stock Number field to locate the item.
To enable Alternate Search Fields:
- Select Database from the Configuration Manager Settings menu.
- Select the appropriate Alternate Search Field option with the mouse or [Spacebar] to mark it with an X.
How Alternate Search Works
For simplicity's sake, the following describes how the Alternate Search feature works in terms of Inventory. Keep in mind that this feature works exactly the same way with Customers and Vendors. The Customer/Vendor Number is essentially the same as Inventory Stock Number, and Customer/Vendor Code can be equated to Product Code.
When an Inventory item is entered on a transaction, Keystroke first attempts to find the item using the field in which the item identification information was entered. If the item is not found and the Alternate Search Fields parameter is enabled for any other fields, Keystroke also checks those fields in the following order: Stock Number, Product Code, AltID#, Class, Manufacturer, Description. If a match is still not located, Keystroke checks the list of Alternate Inventory Codes. If Alternate Search Fields is been enabled for all Inventory fields, Keystroke tries to locate the item in
seven different ways using the order just described.
Note: One limitation of which to be aware: since Stock Number, Customer Number, and Vendor Number fields are defined as numeric only, Keystroke does not allow entry of alphabetic characters in these fields.
See:
Configuration Manager Contents