Available Units of Measure
Which Units of Measure you can use in Supply Lens, how to add one that isn't on your list, and how each unit's codes are chosen.
The rule
You can add any code from UN/CEFACT Recommendation 21 as a Unit of Measure. Recommendation 21 is the United Nations' international list of standard codes for types of package and packaging, such as bags, boxes, cases and pallets. It is published in the UN Digital Library.
If you need a unit that isn't available, contact Support and they will coordinate adding it for you.
Finding a unit
You don't need to know the code. On Settings → Reference data → Units of Measure, start typing the unit's name in the Add unit of measure box and choose it from the drop-down list. The drop-down shows exactly which units are available to you. See Add Units of Measure.
Some common Recommendation 21 codes
These are examples from the standard, to help you recognise codes you see in partners' data. They are not a complete list.
| Code | Unit |
|---|---|
BG | Bag |
BX | Box |
CR | Crate |
CS | Case |
CT | Carton |
PK | Package |
PX | Pallet |
SA | Sack |
The codes each unit is known by
Different systems write the same unit differently: one sends CS, another Case, another CASE.
Each unit has identifiers, the codes it is known by. Open them with the unit's edit button on
the Units of Measure screen.
| Kind of identifier | Who maintains it | Can you change it? |
|---|---|---|
| Shared | Supply Lens, for every organisation | No: shown, but can't be changed |
| Your own | Your organisation | Yes: add, edit, delete and reorder |
How Supply Lens chooses between them:
- On the way in, your organisation's own identifier beats a shared one.
- On the way out, when a unit has several codes of the same identifier type, the one highest in the order is sent. Reorder the identifiers to change which code a system receives.
For the full rules, see How Supply Lens matches codes.