In SIX ERP, Product Units are essential to defining how an item is quantified, handled, and converted across various operational processes such as inventory tracking, manufacturing, procurement, logistics, and shipping. Accurate unit definition ensures that the system can translate product quantities and physical properties consistently across the entire ERP environment.
Each product or item in SIX ERP must have a Base Unit. This is the primary unit in which the product is tracked within inventory. For example, you might define a base unit as Box, Piece, Pack, or Bottle.
While this base unit provides a reference for counting inventory, it is often non-convertible by itself. A base unit like "Box" is anonymous—it doesn't tell the system anything about the product’s physical properties such as weight, volume, or dimensions.
To give the system deeper understanding and enable operations where conversions matter, you must define convertible units.
In addition to the base unit, you can assign measurable properties to an item using the following convertible units:
Weight (Mass) – Used in logistics, shipping, and manufacturing processes where weight calculations affect cost or transportation.
Volume – Critical for storage, container loading, or liquid-based product tracking.
Dimensions – Includes width, height, and depth. These values are essential for packaging, warehousing, shelf planning, and dimensional weight calculations in logistics.
Each of these units should be expressed using standardized Measure Units, such as:
You must also define the value corresponding to each unit. For example:
Weight: 1 box = 12 kg
Volume: 1 box = 0.04 m³
Dimensions: 1 box = Width: 40 cm, Height: 25 cm, Depth: 60 cm
Defining these units and values allows SIX ERP to perform automated conversions and calculations across the system. Here are a few common use cases:
Manufacturing
During production, materials might be issued in kilograms, liters, or meters, even if inventory is tracked by boxes or units. Proper unit conversion ensures that raw material withdrawal aligns with actual production consumption.
Logistics & Shipping
Carriers may charge based on either gross weight or volumetric weight (Dimensional Weight). For instance, a box that is lightweight but large in size may incur higher shipping costs. Having volume and dimensions defined enables the system to calculate such charges automatically.
Inventory Optimization
Warehouse space planning benefits from knowing the physical space each unit occupies. Volume and dimension data can be used to calculate shelf usage, pallet stacking, or bin capacity.
Procurement
Suppliers may quote in tons or cubic meters, while you purchase in boxes. With conversion units defined, purchase orders and goods receipts can be reconciled accurately.
Sales & Invoicing
Certain clients may require product breakdowns by weight, volume, or unit count. Having these values enables dynamic pricing, packaging suggestions, and better transparency.
SIX ERP uses fixed conversion factors to translate between the base unit and convertible units. These conversions remain consistent across all modules where they are relevant.
For example:
If 1 box = 12 kg, and a shipment contains 50 boxes, the system calculates the total weight as 600 kg—a value that can then be used for shipping documents, manufacturing resource planning, or customs declarations.
Always define meaningful conversion units for products that are handled in processes beyond simple item counting.
Use standardized unit types supported by SIX ERP to ensure compatibility across modules.
Review unit definitions regularly, especially when introducing new packaging, suppliers, or logistics partners.
Omitting weight, volume, or dimensions limits the ERP’s ability to calculate, convert, and optimize workflows. Proper unit configuration is foundational to an accurate and intelligent ERP system.
See also:
General Information on Product and Warehouse Setup
Base Inventory Configuration
Creating a base Inventory Item
Setting up Commodity Groups