Skip to main content

Inventory Parts Load

Loading Inventory Price Book Files​

From the DockMaster menu, select Inventory Control > Vendor Loads > Inventory Parts Load

Many manufacturers and distributors provide their part number lists in a file that can be imported into DockMaster for updating prices, supersession chains, classes, etc. These files can be used to only update current part numbers that exist or load new items. Before loading a Vendor price book into DockMaster, make sure to check the following items:

  • Check the Vendor File to ensure that the correct Vendor Load Code is attached to the Vendor (this can be found on the Parts Information tab in the Vendor File). DockMaster has pre-defined load codes for most manufacturers and distributors.
  • Create an Inventory Load Code if one doesn’t already exist (see Load Code Maintenance). DockMaster Support can assist with creating a Load Code; however, if development work is involved there may be a fee incurred.
  • If you are not on the most current DockMaster release, please contact support and verify that your Vendor Load Code matches the most recent version in DockMaster.

There are several options available when it comes to setting up a Price Book for import, and many of these will depend on the format the manufacturer has supplied.

  • Vendor ID - Enter the Vendor Number for the manufacturer or distributor you are loading, or use F6 to select from a List.
  • Department Number – Click in the Department column to enter a Department Number for each location the price book will load or update. You may use F6 to select from a List.
  • Update Prices – This option is checked by default. This option is used to update Selling Prices based on the Load Code parameters and price book file information.
  • Update Cost – This option is checked by default. This option is used to update the Vendor Cost based on the Load Code parameters and price book file information.
  • Load New Items - Click the Load New Items option to update the Inventory File with any new parts found in the price book file.
  • Conflict on Price - Click the Conflict on Price option to notify you if the Price Factor on the part is different from the discount code being loaded. During the load process, conflicts will be displayed and can be printed after the load has completed.
  • Log Transactions – By default, this prompt is turned off. If checked, the system tracks all updates to the File Transaction Log (FTL). Tracking all the updates in the load can undersize your log file and slow down the vendor load process. !!Important!!: Please contact DockMaster Support before turning this option on.
  • Data File - Enter the Data File Path of the price book file. The proper format is: C:\Directory\File Name where Directory is the Windows directory and File Name is the file being imported. Click the Browse button to select a path and file name. It is suggested that the file exists in a local folder on the workstation that is processing the file.
  • Instructions - The Instruction area will display any instructions maintained in Load Code Maintenance used by the Vendor selected. You can copy and paste the instructions into Notepad to print them out. You cannot maintain it from this area.

Click the View Sample icon to display a sample of the price book file. Verify that the price book's items will load correctly (each part should have its own line item). Once the sample has been displayed and the items list correctly, you can then proceed to begin the Inventory File update by pressing the Process button. 

Click the Process icon to process and load the price book file. Once you press the process icon, the Inventory File begins updating and you cannot stop the process. !!Important!!: Be aware that this can be a lengthy process, depending on the size of the price book file and import options selected.