Product Variants and Units of Measure
Variants and units of measure determine whether a product is ordered, stocked and sold consistently.
A worked record to reuse
Example shirt variants: blue/medium and red/large. One box contains 12 pieces; stock and sales use pieces. Keep the variant SKU and unit conversion distinct. Purchasing receives boxes, warehouse records pieces and sales returns the original variant; the product owner approves conversion changes.
| Variant and step | Quantity | Base-unit result, pieces |
|---|---|---|
| SKU-BLUE-M: receive boxes | 2 × 12 | 24 |
| SKU-BLUE-M: sell pieces | 3 | 24 − 3 = 21 |
| SKU-BLUE-M: return one piece | 1 | 21 + 1 = 22 |
| SKU-RED-L: separate receipt | 1 × 12 | 12 |
Use your own records to work through the example and identify the next action.
Put it into practice
Choose a product available in sizes or colours and a product bought by case but sold by unit. Map SKU, barcode, conversion and price. Test receipt, stock count, sale, return and a fractional quantity boundary. Decide who may change a unit after transactions exist.
Put the right controls in place
Example shirt variants: blue/medium and red/large. One box contains 12 pieces; stock and sales use pieces. Keep the variant SKU and unit conversion distinct. Purchasing receives boxes, warehouse records pieces and sales returns the original variant; the product owner approves conversion changes.
Use this guide with the people who own the process. Agree responsibilities, prepare the necessary records and turn the next steps into a working plan. Get help with your implementation.