Quantity and unit: what a QTY segment says
The line QTY+21:480:PCE' says three things: which quantity, how much, and in what unit. All three need reading correctly.
Which quantity?
The first element is the qualifier and sets the meaning:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
21 | Ordered quantity |
12 | Despatched quantity |
194 | Received quantity |
192 | Free-of-charge quantity |
152 | Quantity sold (sales report) |
59 | Number of units in a pack |
|---|
A line may carry several QTY segments. In a receiving advice (RECADV) that is the rule rather than the exception: 12 gives what was despatched, 194 what arrived, and the difference is the shortfall.
Which unit?
The third element is the unit of measure:
| Code | Unit |
|---|---|
PCE | Pieces |
KGM | Kilograms |
LTR | Litres |
MTR | Metres |
CT | Carton |
PF | Pallet |
|---|
If the unit is omitted, most systems assume pieces. For a product sold by weight, that assumption can be wrong by a factor of a thousand.
Its relationship with price
An easily missed point: the PRI segment is a unit price and does not say which unit it is per. The quantity's unit and the price's basis are assumed to match.
If the quantity is in kilograms while the price is per piece, the arithmetic fails. Mismatches like this surface on the invoice, usually late.
A habit worth having
When a line total differs from what you expect, check three things: is the qualifier right, is the unit stated, and is the price on the same basis. If all three hold, the error is elsewhere.