I would use the lowest common denominator, each, to track inventory on hand, and offer sales of 1, 2, 3, etc. with a few "convenience" quantities, like Dozen, Carton, Case, Pallet, Truck load, etc.
Just use a separate table, like "catalog" or something that has your Apple SKU reference and the quantity names (Dozen, Carton, etc.) and the each quantity that represents.
The purpose of the multiples is for the buyer's convenience (and maybe your warehouse people.)
When storing the actual quantity sold, I would store 1, 2, 3, 24, 48, 96, or whatever quantity was in the catalog table that references the quantity package name.
When printing packing slips or invoices, you can reverse the quantity to the package name from the catalog...if needed.
Mike Copeland
Sytze de Boer wrote:
In my accounting/invoicing system, clients create product items.
Let's say you sell Apples You can sell single apples apples in a carton (e.g. 25 apples per carton) cartons of apples on a pallet (e.g. 50 cartons per pallets)
I would like to know how YOU handle the Quantity management. Do you create 3 different stock items or do you force people to enter 2 factors at invoice time. Qty and Factor, where factor can be (say) Single, Carton or Pallet.
When you *see* your product profile, do you see 1125 apples, X cartons and Y pallets and Z singles?
I hope I've explained this satisfactorily. If its NF, please forgive me.