Create a cheat code for a piece of lumber

Customers often want to purchase lumber items that vary by width, length, thickness, wood type, density, color, grade, and other variables. To simplify things, you can develop an encoding system with up to 14 characters, and then use it to create a cheat code for each unique item. The cheat code functions as a SKU for ordering items, checking out, and doing inventory.

To create a cheat code, read the preliminary steps, and then follow the example.

Preliminary steps

1. Develop an encoding system to categorize the variables that typify your products.
2. For a custom product, create a cheat code from the encoding system.
   • The width must be two characters, so enter a zero before a single digit or enter two letters.
   • The length must be two characters, so enter a zero before a single digit or enter two letters.
3. In Paladin’s Inventory module, in the alternate part number (Alt #) box or the primary part number (Part #) box, enter the cheat code for the custom item.

Example of an 8-character encoding system and a related product 

A customer wants to buy a product that is 2x4x16 inches, and consists of R (redwood), T (tongue-and-groove), and S (select grade).

Example of an encoding system for creating an 8-character cheat code
Thickness in inches	Width in inches (must be 2 characters)	Length in feet (must be 2 characters)	Wood	Type	Grade
1	01	04	D= Douglas fir	D= Dimension	1= Con heart
2	04	08	P= Pine	T= Tongue and groove	2= Btr
3	10	16	C= Cedar	B= Bevel	3= Utility
Etc.	16	Etc.	R= Redwood	P= PT	4= Economy
X= 1/2″	Etc.	SS= Short Stud	H= Hem Fir	F= Fence	C= Clear
Y= 5/8″		LS= Long Stud		S= 1S2E	V= CVG
Z= 3/4″		LI= Linear		R= Rough	K= STK
				Z= Blue Stain	T= Tex Face
					S= Select
					Q= Qual & Btr

Based on the encoding system in the table above, the cheat code for this product would be 20416RTS. 

Description	Lumber product	Example
Dimensions	2 x 04 x 16	20416
Wood type	Redwood	R
Type	Tongue and groove	T
Grade	Select	S

4. In Paladin’s Inventory module, in the alternate part number (Alt #) box or the primary part number (Part #) box, enter the cheat code: 20416RTS