Item Alternative
Overview
Item Alternative – Business Overview
Item Alternative is used to manage approved substitute products that can be used in place of a primary item during sales, purchasing, or inventory operations. It helps businesses continue operations smoothly when a specific item is unavailable, discontinued, or temporarily out of stock.
By defining item alternatives in advance, Dafater ensures flexibility in fulfillment while maintaining control over what can and cannot be substituted.
Purpose in Business Operations
Item Alternative supports continuity and customer satisfaction by:
- Allowing approved substitute items when the main item is unavailable
- Reducing delays in sales orders, deliveries, and production
- Supporting purchasing teams with acceptable replacement options
- Ensuring consistency in substitutions across the organization
This document helps standardize substitution decisions instead of leaving them to individual judgment.
Prerequisites and Setup Requirements
Before using Item Alternative, the following should be in place:
- Items must already be created and active in Dafater
- Clear internal policies defining when substitutions are allowed
- Agreement from sales, procurement, or production teams on acceptable alternatives
- Basic understanding of item comparability (quality, specifications, or usage)
No operational use should begin until alternatives are formally approved and recorded.
Typical Workflow and Business Fit
- A primary item is identified as needing substitutes
- One or more approved replacement items are linked using Item Alternative
- When the main item is unavailable:
- Sales teams can propose alternatives to customers
- Purchasing teams can order substitutes
- Operations can continue without interruption
- Users rely only on approved alternatives, ensuring compliance and consistency
Item Alternative works quietly in the background, supporting smoother order processing and inventory decisions.
Key Business Scenarios Where Item Alternative Is Essential
- Stock Shortages: Quickly fulfill orders using pre-approved substitute items
- Supply Chain Disruptions: Continue purchasing when preferred items are unavailable
- Product Phase-Outs: Transition customers to new or replacement products
- Cost Optimization: Use functionally equivalent but more cost-effective items
- Operational Flexibility: Maintain production or delivery timelines despite item constraints
Important Considerations for Users
- Alternatives should be functionally and commercially acceptable
- Not all items should have substitutes—use this selectively
- Keep alternatives up to date as products change or are discontinued
- Communicate clearly with customers when substitutions are used
- Review alternatives periodically to ensure they still meet business needs
Item Alternative is a small but powerful tool that helps Dafater maintain reliability, flexibility, and customer trust by preparing the business for change before it happens.
Basic Information
- Module: Stock
- Document Type: Other
Fields
| Field Name | Label | Type | Required | Options | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| item_code | Item Code | Link | Item | Primary item for which an alternative is defined. | |
| alternativeitemcode | Alternative Item Code | Link | Item | Item that can substitute the primary item. | |
| two_way | Two-way | Check | - | Enable mutual substitution between item and alternative in Dafater. | |
| item_name | Item Name | Read Only | - | Display name of the selected primary item. | |
| alternativeitemname | Alternative Item Name | Read Only | - | Display name of the selected alternative item. |
Permissions
| Role | Read | Write | Create | Delete | Submit | Cancel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Manager | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Stock User | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Item Manager | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Related DocTypes
| DocType | Relationship | Module |
|---|---|---|
| Item | Links to | Stock |