Item Groups and Kit/Package Items

Kit or package

  • Kit or package items are useful for grouping component items together that are sold together.  This allows the single kit item to be selected on a sales order while processing the assigned components through the sales process.
  • Kit inventory lets create an item for sale that contains a collection of other items that can or cannot be sold individually. Whenever a kit, inventory items are deducted from inventory.
  • Kit item inventory is not tracked by the kit, it is tracked by individual component items associated with the kit inventory. This means the Kit item record cannot display an available quantity for these items.
  • To create a Kit Item record in NetSuite, go to Lists > Accounting > Items > New and click Kit/Package.

An example of the kit inventory item

NetSuite Kit items is a special type of item that is composed of 1 or more component items. The Parent kit item does not have any inventory on them. The component item can be sold individually and has inventory associated with them.

A Dining Set (Kit) has 4 plates, 4 bowls, and 2 mugs. The inventory of the Kit item is determined by calculating inventory on each of the individual items. In the above example, if there are a total of 10 plates, 12 bowls, and 8 mugs, then the total saleable kit quantity is only 2.

Item Group

  • Item groups are very similar to kit or package items.  However, item groups allow for changes to component items on the fly.  In other words, the configuration of the item group is customizable during the sales order entry process.  
  • The general ledger accounts for sales and cost pulls from the component, as well as the sales price.
  • Item groups also allow for partial shipments.  Sales reporting tracks back to the component item level. An item group is sold as a single unit but made up of several individual items.
  • An item group is a group of items on a sales or purchase order that need to be sold or purchased together. The item group is not fulfilled, received, or stocked. 
  • An item group is an item type in NetSuite that is a single unit made up of several individual items (components). 
  • We can create an item group with various other item types such as inventory, matrix, and kit/package items. The item group price is always dependent on its member components. 

The integration flows can support item groups of any configurations such as

  • An item group with inventory, non-inventory, and matrix child items as member components.
  • A single item in NetSuite can belong to multiple item groups.
  • An item group that has different or equal quantities of member components contributing to the item group.

Create Item Group  

To create a group item  

Go to Lists > Accounting > Items > New.  On the New Item page, click Item Group 

  • Item Name: In the Item, Name field enter the name of the Item group.  
  • UPC code: This field identifies an internal name or number to store the item’s UPC Code.  
  • Display Name: Enter an optional name for the item group.  
  • Description: Specify a description for the group item. 
  • In the Classification, the field group selects the Subsidiary, Department, Class, and Location. 
  • The created Inventory Items;
  • Select the components from the list 
  • In the Purchasing / Inventory sub-tab add the components for the Item group. 

 Enter the checkmark for Display Components on Transactions. Select the individual components from the item list.  

  • Save the record. 

For example, an electronics retailer sells an item group called Creativo 2400 Graphics Bundle. This group contains the following member components from inventory with the component prices:

Creativo 2400 computer – $2299.00

UltraGear desktop speakers – $10.00

Laserscan scanner – $199.99

ManuScript 1000 color laser printer – $275.00

Based on these component prices, the price of the group is $2783.99. Group price is always dependent on member item prices.

Partially filled item groups display a quantity of zero (0) on printed invoices.

Item Groups and Kit/Package Items

Item groups and kit/package items allow selling multiple products consolidated under a single SKU.  Unlike assembly items, item groups and kit/package items do not go through a build process and will never have stock under the item group or kit/package SKU.  Instead, selling an item group or kit/package item will reduce the inventory of the member items. 

How do item groups and kit/package items differ?

The price of an item group will be the sum of the prices of all component items. Conversely, a kit/package item has a pricing section that allows you to set your desired pricing, independent of the total price of the components.  Kit/package items are a convenient way to offer a pre-defined discount on a specific set of products, while item groups make it easy for sales reps to enter multiple items that are purchased together under a single part number.

Key Differences Between Kits and Groups

Kit/PackageItem Group
ExampleComputer package eg hard drive, keyboard, screen, mouseTemplate for new customers
Members can includeinventory items
non-inventory items
assemblies
kits
service items
inventory items
non-inventory items
assemblies
kits
service items
Sales Reporting levelKitComponents
Sell PriceYesSum of the component sell prices
Pricingitem price is independent of its members’ pricesitem price is dependent on its members’ prices
Can be purchasedNo purchase individual componentsYes adds components to purchase order
Can be edited on a Sales TransactionNoYes
General Ledger Accountsable to identify a separate income accountNo account designation available
Inventory ImpactFulfilling a kit:decrease the asset account of member itemsFulfilling a group:decreases the asset account of member items

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