Weight and packing units used in contracts need to be coded. This option provides the means for the company to specify what codes can be used e.g. MT = Metric Tons. These codes are assigned a conversion factor used to normalise all packing weights into a Kilo base. In PCW it is also requested to state the number of decimal places necessary for expressing the packing weight in Kilo units.
Examples:
| 50BG | MT |
| Packing unit: 50BG (50 Kilo Bags) | Packing unit: MT (Metric Tons) |
| Conversion factor to Kilo: 50 | Conversion factor to Kilo: 1000 |
| Number of decimal places: 0 | Number of decimal places: 3 |
All codes are used for a combination of the following: 1) validation of entries, to ensure correct data entry, 2) grouping of clients or accounts, for reporting or credit/risk analysis and 3) indication for calculations, to define how entered values are to be used.