Advice on asset/asset subnumber/asset quantity

Question

Hello
When I buy 50 computers from a vendor, all identical, I receive the computers and the related invoice from the vendor over a period of 18 months for example 15 on 1.1.2010, 10 on 1.3.2010 and 25 on 1.9.2010
Should I
create 50 separate assets and when entering the invoices enter 15 or 10 or 25 lines for each asset?
or create 1 asset with 50 subnumbers and when entering the invoices enter 15 or 10 or 25 lines for each assetnumber?
or create 1 asset with quantity 50 and when entering the invoice post to the same asset?
or create 1 asset with in the description field "50 computers"?
Please advise the pros and cons of each technical possibility.
Thanks
Arjan

Answer 1

Hi,
Normally a fixed asset can be represented in the system using several master records, that is in the form of sub-numbers. Assets may be divided using sub-numbers if:
-Managing the values for subsequent acquisitions in following years (i.e., buildings) separately.
-Managing the values for individual parts of assets separately,
-Dividing the asset according to various technical aspects.
In your case you have purchased 50 computers but you received invoice in 3 periods.
For each period when you are booking invoice (one invoice for several computers) give the Number of similar asset field with that many number of computers for the invoice you have received.
For example in period 1 you might have received invoice for 10 computers then enter Number of similar assets with 10. with this single asset master creation transaction your can create the asset master with similar parameters but the description and inventory/serial number for each computer may differ.
Why because in future if you want to have any special kind of transactions for indidual computers(assets) it is not possible if you create it as a single asset for each invoice.
Regards,
Krishna Kishore.