Add Item Components to a Finished Good

What are Item Components?

Item components are the raw materials and packaging items that make up a finished good in TraceGains. For example, a fruit smoothie mixture might include a fruit puree blend (raw material), citric acid (raw material), and a large plastic bulk bag (packaging item).

Why Add Item Components to a Finished Good?

Associating item components ensures that data tables and document packets account for every ingredient and material in a finished good. This step helps maintain accuracy in compliance documentation and supply chain tracking.

Use Cases/Prerequisites:

Because many types of users and partners use a combination of Supplier Management Enterprise and the Finished Goods Add-On, use cases can vary drastically. However, the following use case is common and represents a best practice:

I use Supplier Management Enterprise from TraceGains and manage my relationship with suppliers on the Suppliers tab. I also work with co-manufacturing partners on TraceGains using the Finished Goods Add-On. We collaborate on the manufacturing of some of my finished goods. My partners directly source some raw materials/packaging that goes into my finished good. Because they do their own sourcing, my partners manage the relationship with those suppliers.

To differentiate between these colleagues, when I create a new Partner Item via the Partners Tab > Create New Partner Item, I use the following naming convention: “Partner Name – Partner Supplier Name”. I find that this helps me tie all the layers together between these distinct supply chains.

How to Add Item Components to a Finished Good

Once the prerequisite steps are completed, work through the following steps to add all necessary item components to a Finished Good.

Step 1: Navigate to the Items tab.

Step 2: Filter by Item Type: 'Finished Good'

Step 3: Click the edit icon in the associated row to edit the record.

Step 4: Select the 'Components' section from the left pane

Step 5: Click ‘Add Items’ to make associations.

Step 6: Use the resulting menu to add as many items as necessary.

Step 7: Click ‘Add Selected’ when satisfied.

Link Item Components to Partner Records

As a final step before sharing documents, use the Partners subtab to link item components to the appropriate partner(s).

Step 1: Select 'Associations' from the left pane

Step 2: Select the 'Partners' sub-tab.

Step 3: Click the down arrow next to a Partner to expand its details (select 'Add Partner' if none are listed). Then select 'Add Item Components'.

Step 4: Check the boxes connected to the appropriate Supplier Items.

Step 5: When satisfied with your selection, click 'Add Selected.' Your selection will be saved automatically.

Step 6: Repeat the process in the Partners subtab until all item components and partners are associated.

Next Steps:

Now that all necessary facets of your Finished Good are linked/associated together, from suppliers to partners to item components, you are ready to share documents. Read this article for instructions on how to share document packets with the correct recipients.