Previously, such values had to be stored in SKU, Internal code, the description or custom fields. Search for them did not always work, and imports had no separate column for them.
For example, you buy the same spare part from three suppliers, and each of them lists it under its own number. The manufacturer part number stays the same. Add it to the product – and find the part by this number in stock and documents.
Three product identifiers
MPN does not replace SKU or Internal code – it is a separate field that you fill in yourself.
The field is available for all product types. In Settings → Forms editor → Products you can make it required, disable editing after creation, or remove it from the form if you don't need it.
To learn how to add fields and change their order, see the article on configuring the product form.
In Settings → Inventory → Unique product identifier you can set MPN as the main identifier. The system will then make sure it is filled in and not repeated anywhere in the catalog. Your current choice stays the same after the update.
For how this setting affects creating and importing products, see the article on choosing the unique product identifier.
You can also specify MPN for an item you add to an order or estimate manually, without creating a product in the catalog. The value stays in the document, and if you later save the item to the catalog, it moves to the product profile along with the rest of the data.
Search and tables
Search by MPN works the same way as search by SKU and Internal code – by the full value or by a part of it. You can search in stock, documents and the product selector. If an exact match returns several products, you will see all of them, because one manufacturer part number can belong to several products in your catalog.
MPN can also be added as a separate column to product, stock and reservation tables, inventory reports and item tables in documents.
Import, export and printed forms
A manufacturer part number column has been added to product import and export, to bulk updates via import and export, and to stock export. You can also map it to your own file when importing a posting or a purchase order – the system will recognize products from your catalog by this number.
The {Product MPN} variable has been added for printing. It is available in orders and estimates, invoices, sales, product and service labels, and price tags. MPN is available through the API as well – as a product field and as a document line item field.
To learn how to prepare a file and bring products into the system, see the article on importing and exporting products.
For existing products, the field stays empty until you fill it in. Values in other fields do not change, and your current imports and document templates keep working as before.
If you have any questions about the new field, we are always available in the support chat.