Using Assemblies with Custom Products

CSBrehm · ‎May 12, 2022

We have a business that builds and installs a custom product. That is, each product is slightly different based on the customer requirements. I believe Assemblies are the right way to go to generate COGS and properly manage inventory. However, using assemblies when each customer has a slightly different BOM seems cumbersome. So, two questions:

1. Are Assemblies the was to go, or is there a different option that the Community recommends?

2. If we should use Assemblies, can we create a 'template' assembly that we copy and re use for each new customer to save us time and not create each assembly from scratch.

Thank you

FritzF · ‎May 12, 2022

Greetings, @CSBrehm.

I can share information about building assemblies in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT).

To answer your first question, based on the information you've given, then yes. Building assembly is the to go.

As per the second question, we can create an template but only for the assembly form. The option to create template with inventory items included is currently unavailable. As a workaround, you can build several assemblies that are slightly different based on your customer requirements.

To learn more about managing and using inventory assembly items to build and track your finished goods, consider checking out these articles:

You can also visit our website for more tips and other resources you can use in the future: Self-help articles.

Reach out to me if you have more questions about assemblies or anything else QuickBooks. I'll be here to assist. Keep safe and have a good one.

CSBrehm · ‎May 12, 2022

Thank you for your helpful reply. One follow up for you. When you say that "As a workaround, you can build several assemblies that are slightly different based on your customer requirements." Can I copy one of those assemblies so that I can modify the copied version, thereby avoiding having to created the assembly from scratch?

Carneil_C · ‎May 12, 2022

Thanks for your reply, @CSBrehm.

I'd be glad to provide some insights about the workaround provided by my colleague above and help you with your concern about creating an assembly item in QuickBooks Desktop.

The system won’t allow you to create duplicate assembly items. That said, you'll have to create one from scratch. Here’s how:

Go to the Lists menu, then select Item List.
Click on the drop-down arrow, then New.
Choose Inventory Assembly as type, then add the name and the income account.
Fill in the details needed.
Hit OK once finished.

Here’s a guide for you to refer for more details about adding items: Add, edit, and delete items in QBDT.

Also, check out this article if in case you want to track the items you’ve received:

Please let me know if you have any questions about managing your items in QBDT. I'll be right here to help. Wishing you the best.

Fiat Lux - ASIA · ‎May 12, 2022

@CSBrehm wrote:
Can I copy one of those assemblies so that I can modify the copied version, thereby avoiding having to created the assembly from scratch?

@CSBrehm

Utilize a migration tool as a workaround. Export your existing Item Assembly out to XLS, modify it, then import it as a new Item Assembly name.

https://transactionpro.grsm.io/qbd

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