Tracking Parts Used on a Job
Accurate part consumption tracking ensures inventory levels reflect actual usage and supports cost analysis by job, technician, and service type. This article covers how to record parts consumed during work order execution from both the web application and the FieldPulse Mobile App.
Prerequisites
- Inventory module enabled for your account
- User role includes Inventory > Edit Parts Usage permission
- Parts catalog populated with at least one active item
Recording Parts from the Web Application
- Navigate to Work Orders and open the relevant work order
- Select the Parts & Materials tab
- Click Add Part
- Search for the part by SKU, name, or barcode
- Enter the Quantity Used and optional Unit Cost override
- Click Save to Work Order
Stock levels are decremented immediately upon save. If the part is not found in inventory, you may add it as a Non-Stock Item for billing purposes without affecting quantities on hand.
Recording Parts from the Mobile App
Technicians in the field record consumption through the mobile interface:
- Open the assigned work order
- Tap Parts & Materials
- Tap the + icon to add a part
- Scan or search for the part
- Enter quantity and tap Add to Job
Parts added in offline mode are queued locally and synchronized when connectivity is restored. See Using FieldPulse Offline for details on offline queuing behavior.
Bulk Part Entry
For jobs requiring multiple parts, use the Quick Add feature:
- Access from the Parts & Materials tab in the web app
- Select multiple parts from your catalog
- Enter quantities for each before saving
Automatic vs. Manual Cost Tracking
| Method | When Used | Cost Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Catalog-linked part | Part exists in inventory | Current average cost or FIFO layer |
| Manual entry | Part not in catalog | User-entered unit cost |
| Non-stock item | Billing only; no inventory impact | Sale price; no cost recorded |
Reservation vs. Consumption
Parts may be reserved for upcoming jobs without immediate stock reduction. Reservation holds inventory against the job but does not affect reporting until the technician marks the part as consumed. For details on reservation workflows, see Reserving Inventory for Upcoming Jobs.
Correcting Entries
Errors in part recording may be corrected before the work order is closed:
- Open the work order Parts & Materials tab
- Locate the line item
- Click the Edit or Delete action
- Save changes; inventory adjusts automatically
Note: Closed work orders require administrator permissions to modify part entries. Changes to closed jobs generate audit log entries.
Related Documentation
- Setting Up Your Parts Inventory
- Adding and Editing Inventory Items
- Reserving Inventory for Upcoming Jobs
- Inventory Reporting
- Updating Work Order Status from the Mobile App