Inventory categories group similar parts and consumables. A clear category structure helps your team find a Material even when they do not know its name or SKU.

Plan this structure before your first import, or use it to improve an existing catalogue. Inventory Materials are separate from Assets, which represent equipment and components.

Use a category to answer “What kind of Material is this?” Use a Warehouse to answer “Where is it stocked?” For example, a bearing belongs in Mechanical › Bearings. Its stock can be held in both Main Store and Workshop Store.

Keep manufacturer details on the Material. Do not create a separate copy of a Material for each Warehouse. For the stock setup, see Warehouses and stock.

Review a representative sample of your parts and consumables. Group items using words that your team already uses, such as Mechanical, Electrical and Consumables.

Start with a small number of broad categories and one level of subcategories. This is a planning recommendation, not a product limit. Add another level only when it helps people choose between a large set of Materials.

Avoid a separate category for every Material. Also avoid a large “Miscellaneous” category that becomes another list to search through.

Assign each Material to the most useful category. A Material has one category. For example, place a bearing in Bearings, rather than directly in Mechanical. Agree on a consistent rule for items that could fit in several places.

In the Backend, selecting a parent category shows Materials assigned directly to that category. It does not combine all Materials from its subcategories. Use the structure to guide people to the level where you store the Materials.

Ask a field team member to find a few Materials by browsing the proposed categories. Include someone who did not prepare the catalogue. If they would look in a different place, adjust the category name or grouping before you import.

When Inventory permission controls are enabled, Materials › Create allows category creation, Materials › Modify allows renaming categories and changing a material’s category, and Materials › Delete allows deletion subject to category rules. Super Users have full access. Ask your CSM if these controls are unavailable. See Role permissions reference.

Use Materials and categories to create categories and change a Material’s category in the Backend. For a bulk setup, use Importing your Inventory data and fill both the Categories sheet and each Material’s Category cell.

Review Uncategorized after each import and when new Materials are added. An empty Category is allowed, but it removes the useful browsing route you planned. Give one person responsibility for resolving these items.

Is Inventory categorization the same as the Asset tree?

No. Inventory categories organize parts and consumables. The Asset hierarchy organizes equipment and components. Creating an Asset parent does not create an Inventory category.

Can I use the same category name under different parents?

Use distinct category names in an Inventory import. The importer checks category names across the workbook and existing organization, even when parents differ. See the Inventory import guide.

Why does searching show Materials from another category?

Inventory search looks across categories. Use browsing to check whether your category structure is clear, and search when you know a Material’s name, SKU or manufacturer.