---
title: Consumables
slug: equipmenttrack/consumables
description: Manage your consumable items and spare parts in Unaric Equipment Track. Track usage and stock levels directly in Salesforce.
docTags: 
createdAt: 2024-03-01T20:24:53.247Z
---

Use **Consumable** records to track and manage items that are typically used up during a loan and not expected to be returned. For this reason, unlike standard equipment, consumables are not tracked for individual returns, being intended for expendable items like gels, cleaning products, or other supplies associated with loaned equipment.

:::hint{type="info"}
Using **Consumables** in Unaric Equipment Track requires an additional licence. For pricing and licensing information, contact support at  [inventory-support@unaric.com](mailto\:inventory-support@unaric.com).
:::

## Creating consumables

1. When creating an **Equipment** record, check the *Consumable* checkbox to designate it as a consumable.
2. Enter the initial quantity of this consumable on the *Quantity on Hand* field. Later on, you can use *the Quantity Adjustment* action to record adjustments to this number.
3. Click the **Save** button to finish.

## Tracking consumables

*Quantity on Hand* allows you to track the quantity of each consumable item, indicating the available stock at each location. When a shipment containing consumables is processed, the system automatically reduces the *Quantity on Hand* by the shipped quantity and creates a shipment record for tracking purposes.

## Shipping consumables

Loaning does not apply to them and attempting to use Loan for consumables will result in an error message. Instead, there are two ways to ship consumables in ELTON:

### Ship consumable action

This method is used to record a shipment of items to a linked record (e.g., Account representing inventory at a location).

1. Initiate the **Ship Consumable Action**
2. Enter the following details: 
   - **Date: ** The date of the shipment.
   - **Quantity:** The number of consumable items being shipped.
   - **Linked Record:** Select the recipient of the shipment. This could be a User, Contact, Account, or Opportunity, depending on your specific workflow.

Upon successful completion, the system will reduce the *Quantity on Hand *and create a Shipment record.

### Consumable line on equipment order

You can add a consumable line type on an Equipment Order, specifying the quantity to be shipped. This eliminates the need for separate processes for equipment and consumable shipments, streamlining the overall workflow. 

1. Create a new Equipment Order or open an existing one.
2. Look for the option to add **Line Items**.
3. Choose **Consumable** as the Line Type.
4. Select the specific **consumable item** you want to ship.
5. Enter the desired **quantity** of the consumable.
6. **Save** the Equipment Order.

**Outcome:**

- When the Equipment Order is **Committed**:
  - The system reserves the specified **quantity** of the consumable from the **Quantity on Hand** at the originating location.
  - This **committed quantity** reflects the total amount of consumables reserved across all orders for that particular item.
- When the Equipment Order is **Processed**:
  - The **committed quantity** is **reduced** by the shipped amount.
  - The **Quantity on Hand** is **decreased** to reflect the actual shipment.
  - A **Shipment record** is **created** to track the movement of the consumable items.

## Returning consumables

While the standard process involves shipping and consuming the entire stock, ELTON provides an optional Return of Consumable function. This allows you to record any unused or partially used consumables returned after the loan.