Merchandise categories (MCATs) are categories of products that can be set up when an item is added. The categories can contain an unlimited* number of sub-categories arranged in a "tree" structure, similar to the folder structure used in Windows Explorer. We refer to the category hierarchies as "MCAT levels."
* Although a supplier can have an unlimited number of sub-categories or "levels," Prescient strongly recommends that no more than three levels are set up.
Merchandise categories are assigned an MCAT code and an MCAT name. An MCAT code is usually a number, but can be any combination of letters or numbers.
Click here for an example of MCAT codes and names. The example also illustrates how MCATs are arranged into levels.
Merchandise category windows always display the top-level MCATs when first opened. Each high-level MCAT can have multiple levels within it. Select the top-level MCAT that contains the MCAT you want to view and click Expand. The next-lower level will display. The lowest level of an MCAT is always marked with an asterisk ‘*’ to the left of the MCAT code.
The following buttons are used with merchandise-category windows to display MCATs.
Expand – Select a level and click Expand to display the next sub-level.
Collapse – Select a level and click Collapse to clear the sub-levels from your window. (This does not physically remove a sub-level; it only hides it.)
Vers. 5/3/2005