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The Material Management module (also called Product Management) handles your product catalog including product information, categories, attributes, and pricing.

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Overview

Maintain comprehensive product master data with support for categories, attributes, multiple units of measure, images, and serial/batch tracking configuration.
jshERP uses the term “Material” (商品) for products. These terms are interchangeable throughout the system.

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Module Components

Product Catalog

Complete product database with specifications, pricing, and images

Categories

Hierarchical product categorization system

Attributes

Custom product attributes and extended properties

Product Properties

Define custom fields for product variations

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Product Catalog Management

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Accessing Products

Navigate: Basic Data > Products The product list provides comprehensive search and management capabilities.

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Creating Products

1

Open Product Form

Click New to open the product creation form.
2

Enter Basic Information

Required Fields:
  • Product Name
  • Category
  • Base Unit (pieces, kg, box, etc.)
Optional Fields:
  • Barcode (auto-generated or manual)
  • Model number
  • Specification
  • Mnemonic code (search shortcut)
  • Brand
  • Manufacturer
  • Color
3

Configure Units

Set up multiple units of measure if needed:
  • Base unit (smallest unit)
  • Multiple unit (larger unit)
  • Conversion ratio
Example:
  • Base unit: Piece
  • Multiple unit: Box
  • Ratio: 1 Box = 12 Pieces
4

Set Pricing

Configure price information:
  • Purchase price
  • Retail price
  • Wholesale price
  • Low selling price (minimum)
  • Other price levels (Price1, Price2, Price3)
5

Add Extended Information

Complete additional details:
  • Warehouse position/shelf location
  • Weight (for shipping calculations)
  • Expiry days (for batch management)
  • Custom properties (自定义属性1-3)
  • Product images
  • Remarks
6

Configure Tracking

Enable tracking features:
  • Enable Serial Number: Track individual units
  • Enable Batch Number: Track production lots
Serial and batch tracking cannot be changed after inventory transactions exist.
7

Set Initial Stock

Optionally set opening inventory:
  • Initial stock quantity
  • Initial cost price
  • System calculates initial stock value
8

Save Product

Save to add product to catalog. Status defaults to Enabled.

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Product Search and Filtering

Find products efficiently using multiple criteria: Basic Search:
  • Category (tree selection)
  • Keywords (barcode, name, mnemonic)
  • Specification
Advanced Filters:
  • Model number
  • Color
  • Brand
  • Manufacturer
  • Custom properties (1-3)
  • Status (enabled/disabled)
  • Serial number enabled (yes/no)
  • Batch number enabled (yes/no)
  • Warehouse position
  • Weight
  • Expiry days
  • Remarks

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Product Display Features

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Product Images

Manage product photos:
  1. Upload Image: Add product photo during creation/editing
  2. Thumbnail View: Small preview in product list
  3. Large View: Click thumbnail to see full-size image
  4. Image Formats: Support JPEG, PNG, GIF

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Product Names with Indicators

Product names display tracking status:
  • 序 (Orange tag): Serial number tracking enabled
  • 批 (Orange tag): Batch number tracking enabled
These visual indicators help quickly identify tracked products.

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Product Categories

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Category Structure

Organize products hierarchically: Navigate: Basic Data > Product Categories Example Structure: 
Electronics
  ├─ Computers
  │   ├─ Laptops
  │   ├─ Desktops
  │   └─ Tablets
  ├─ Mobile Phones
  │   ├─ Smartphones
  │   └─ Feature Phones
  └─ Accessories
      ├─ Cables
      ├─ Cases
      └─ Chargers

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Creating Categories

1

Create Root Category

Navigate to Product Categories and click New.Enter:
  • Category name
  • Category number (code)
  • Remarks
2

Add Sub-Categories

Select parent category and create child:
  • Choose parent in dropdown
  • Enter sub-category name
  • Save
3

Build Hierarchy

Continue adding levels as needed. System supports unlimited depth.

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Category Management

Actions Available:
  • Edit category details
  • Move categories (change parent)
  • Delete empty categories
  • View products in category
Categories with products cannot be deleted. Move or delete products first.

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Product Attributes

Define attribute sets for product variations: Navigate: Basic Data > Product Attributes

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Attribute Concept

Attributes define product variations: Example - Clothing:
  • Attribute: Size
    • Values: S, M, L, XL, XXL
  • Attribute: Color
    • Values: Red, Blue, Green, Black, White
Example - Electronics:
  • Attribute: Storage
    • Values: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
  • Attribute: Color
    • Values: Space Gray, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold

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Creating Attributes

1

Create Attribute

Click New in Product Attributes.Enter:
  • Attribute name (e.g., “Size”)
  • Attribute values (e.g., “S, M, L, XL”)
  • Sort order
2

Define Values

Add possible values for the attribute:
  • One value per line, or
  • Comma-separated values
3

Assign to Products

When creating/editing products:
  • Select applicable attributes
  • Choose specific values
  • System generates SKU variants

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Attribute Sets

Group related attributes:
  • Size + Color (Apparel)
  • Capacity + Color (Electronics)
  • Flavor + Size (Food & Beverage)
  • Material + Finish (Furniture)

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Product Properties

Custom fields for additional product information: Navigate: Basic Data > Product Properties

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Default Custom Properties

jshERP includes 3 configurable custom properties:
  1. 自定义属性1 (Custom Property 1)
  2. 自定义属性2 (Custom Property 2)
  3. 自定义属性3 (Custom Property 3)

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Configuring Properties

1

Define Property Names

Navigate to Product Properties and rename default properties:
  • Custom Property 1 → “Country of Origin”
  • Custom Property 2 → “Warranty Period”
  • Custom Property 3 → “Certifications”
2

Set Property Values

Define allowed values for each property:
  • Country of Origin: USA, China, Japan, Germany
  • Warranty Period: 1 Year, 2 Years, 3 Years, Lifetime
  • Certifications: CE, UL, FCC, RoHS
3

Use in Products

When editing products:
  • Select values from dropdowns
  • Properties appear in product details
  • Searchable and filterable

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Multiple Units of Measure

Support products sold in different units:

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Unit Configuration

Base Unit (基础单位):
  • Smallest unit for inventory tracking
  • All stock quantities stored in base units
  • Examples: Piece, Kg, Liter
Multiple Unit (多单位):
  • Larger unit for sales/purchase convenience
  • Automatically converts to base units
  • Examples: Box, Carton, Pallet

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Conversion Example

Product: Widget A
  • Base unit: Piece
  • Multiple unit: Box
  • Conversion: 1 Box = 24 Pieces
In Practice:
  • Purchase: 10 Boxes
  • System records: 240 Pieces (10 × 24)
  • Sell: 5 Boxes + 12 Pieces
  • System deducts: 132 Pieces (5 × 24 + 12)

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Initial Stock Display

Product list shows stock in both units: 
Current Stock: 240 pieces
Tooltip: 10 boxes (hovering over quantity)
This dual display helps users understand inventory in familiar terms.

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Product Pricing

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Price Types

jshERP supports multiple price levels:
Price TypePurposeUsage
Purchase PriceSupplier costDefault on purchase documents
Retail PriceStandard consumer priceRetail sales, POS
Wholesale PriceBulk/distributor priceWholesale customers
Low Selling PriceMinimum allowed pricePrevent selling below cost
Price 1Custom price levelVolume pricing tier 1
Price 2Custom price levelVolume pricing tier 2
Price 3Custom price levelVolume pricing tier 3

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Price Configuration

Set prices in product form:
  1. Enter standard prices
  2. System validates low price ≥ cost
  3. Warning if selling below minimum
  4. Prices default on sales documents
  5. Users can override if authorized

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Serial Number Management

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When to Use Serial Numbers

Enable serial tracking for:
  • Electronics with warranties
  • High-value equipment
  • Assets requiring maintenance tracking
  • Products subject to recalls
  • Items with individual certification

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Serial Number Workflow

When receiving inventory:
  1. Enable serial tracking on product
  2. During receipt, enter/scan serial numbers
  3. System records each serial with location
  4. Serials cannot be duplicated

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Batch Number Management

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When to Use Batch Numbers

Enable batch tracking for:
  • Food products with expiry dates
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Cosmetics
  • Chemicals
  • Any product with production lots

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Batch Number Workflow

1

Configure Product

Enable batch tracking and set expiry days:
  • Enable Batch Number: Yes
  • Expiry Days: 365 (for example)
2

Receipt with Batch

When receiving inventory:
  • Enter batch/lot number
  • Record production date
  • System calculates expiry date
  • System tracks quantity per batch
3

Stock Management

System maintains:
  • Quantity per batch
  • Production and expiry dates
  • Warehouse locations
  • FIFO/FEFO order
4

Shipment by Batch

When shipping:
  • Select batch(es) to ship from
  • System suggests FIFO or FEFO
  • Validates expiry dates
  • Tracks batch quantities
5

Expiry Monitoring

Use stock warning reports to:
  • Identify expiring batches
  • Plan promotions/clearance
  • Prevent expired sales

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Batch Operations

Perform bulk actions on products:

Batch Enable/Disable

Enable or disable multiple products simultaneously

Batch Edit

Update common fields across multiple products

Import Products

Bulk upload products via Excel template

Export Products

Download product data to Excel

Correct Stock

Adjust current stock levels for multiple products

Correct Cost

Update unit cost prices in bulk

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Import/Export Process

Importing Products:
1

Download Template

Click Import and download the Excel template.
2

Fill Template

Complete the template with product data:
  • Follow column headers exactly
  • Respect data types and formats
  • Leave optional fields blank if not applicable
3

Upload File

Click Import, select your file, and upload.
4

Review Results

System reports:
  • Successfully imported products
  • Errors with row numbers
  • Validation failures
5

Verify Data

Check imported products in the list and make corrections as needed.
Exporting Products:
  1. Apply filters to select products
  2. Click Export
  3. System generates Excel file
  4. Download and open in Excel
  5. Use for reporting, analysis, or re-import

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Column Customization

Customize product list display: Available Columns:
  • Product image
  • Barcode
  • Product name (with serial/batch indicators)
  • Category
  • Specifications (model, standard, color, brand, etc.)
  • Units (base and multiple)
  • Initial stock
  • Current stock
  • Prices (purchase, retail, wholesale, low, custom)
  • Warehouse position
  • Weight
  • Expiry days
  • Status
Customization:
  1. Click Column Settings
  2. Check/uncheck columns
  3. Click Restore Default to reset

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Best Practices

Consistent Naming

Use consistent product naming conventions for easy searching and sorting.

Complete Information

Fill in all relevant fields including specifications, brand, model for better searchability.

Category Structure

Design logical category hierarchy before adding products. Keep depth reasonable (3-5 levels max).

Mnemonic Codes

Use mnemonic codes (助记码) for frequently accessed products - enables lightning-fast search.

Product Images

Add clear product images to reduce errors during sales and receiving.

Price Maintenance

Review and update prices regularly. Use low selling price to prevent below-cost sales.

Tracking Strategy

Enable serial/batch tracking at product creation. Cannot change after transactions exist.

Regular Audits

Periodically review product catalog for duplicates, inactive items, and data quality.

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Integration Points

Inventory Management

Product configuration drives inventory tracking behavior (serials, batches, units).

Sales & Purchase

Product prices default on sales and purchase documents. Specifications aid selection.

Reporting

Category structure enables aggregated reporting and analysis.

POS/Retail

Barcodes and mnemonic codes enable fast product lookup at point of sale.

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Permissions

Control product management access:
  • View Products: See product catalog
  • Add/Edit Products: Create and modify products
  • Delete Products: Remove products (only if no transactions)
  • Import/Export: Bulk data operations
  • Batch Edit: Mass update products
  • Enable/Disable: Change product status
  • Price Access: View and modify prices
  • Stock Correction: Adjust stock levels and costs
  • Manage Categories: Create and organize categories
  • Manage Attributes: Define product attributes

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