Understanding Item Types in Formula Management

What are item types?

Item types optimize the organization of your item records within TraceGains. The three system-defined item types correspond to the sub-tabs on the Items tab and are:

• Raw Materials
• Finished Good
• Packaging

When creating a new item record in the system, you will define the type in addition to the stage. The item stage refers to either “Research and Development” or “Production."

• Production items - can have suppliers associated
• Research and Development items - used for recipe development prior to identifying supplier
• Note - An item can be assigned a type regardless of item stage.

Why did we create this feature?

Item types help organize products and finished goods. Instead of clicking back and forth between the Formulas Tab and Items Tab, a user can see all the associated items, documents, attributes, and Suppliers for an Item based on its Type right in the Items Tab.

Finished Good item types also automate certain processes. For example, once a Finished Good record is created, you can associate the approved formula. Then, all items associated with that formula automatically display in the Associations > Items tab, also bringing all the corresponding items supplied documents to the Documents tab for easy access.

Lastly, the Item Types feature reduces redundancy - for example, the Packaging Item template does not prompt nutritional information. This perk, paired with automated associations mentioned above, cuts down the time it takes to complete documentation like Items Supplied Reports.

How to Implement Item Types

A Finished Good item type can be used to associate Raw Materials, Packaging, and/or other finished goods together.

Step 1: Navigate to the Items Tab.

Step 2: Select the Edit Icon on any Finished Good.

Step 3: On the side tab, select Components.

Step 4: If you need to associate additional items, you can do that by selecting Add Items.
The Items that comprise the Finished Good will already be listed if you’ve associated the approved formula for this item. In this case, the 'Use Formula(s)' toggle will be enabled; you may need to click the dropdown arrows to reveal the recipe's items.

Step 5: Select the Items to Add and Click Add Selected.

Step 6: Use the same Finished Good in the future to see Associations.