Indirect cost (form)

Article
05/05/2014

Applies To: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012

Click Inventory management > Setup > Costing > Costing versions. Select Price, and then select Indirect cost.

Use this form to define and view the indirect cost calculation formulas for a selected costing version. A calculation formula can reflect a surcharge percentage that is applied to route and bills of material (BOM) costs. It can also be a rate amount that is applied to the hourly rates or piece rate for a routing operation. The form displays surcharges and rates on different tabs. Each calculation formula is uniquely identified by a code identifier, costing version, status, from date, item validity, and site. The item validity can be expressed for all items, an item group, or a specific manufactured item.

The Indirect cost form supplements the Costing sheet setup form as an approach for defining an indirect cost calculation formula. Use the Costing sheet setup form to define the costing sheet node for a surcharge or rate, the associated code, and the initial calculation formula. After the costing sheet has been saved, you can use the Indirect cost form to define an additional calculation formula. This could include a new calculation formula with a different surcharge percentage, from date, and costing version.

Tasks that use this form

About updating standard costs in a manufacturing environment

Examples

A manufacturing company that uses standard costs is expecting a change in manufacturing overheads (expressed as a surcharge percentage) as of January 1. The company wants to define a new indirect cost calculation formula to reflect the change. The surcharge percentage was first defined as a node in the Costing sheet setup form. It includes a specified code, cost group basis, item validity, and a costing version for standard costs. The company uses the Indirect cost form to define an additional cost record for a calculation formula. This reflects the new surcharge percentage, a from date of January 1, and the relevant costing version for standard costs. The cost record for the calculation formula is created with a pending status so that company can perform BOM calculations to calculate future costs. The company will activate the cost record on January 1 so that production order costs reflect the new surcharge percentage.

The same manufacturing company also wanted to simulate a change in manufacturing overheads by using a costing version for planned costs. In this case, the company used the Indirect cost form to define an additional cost record for a calculation formula. This reflects the simulated surcharge percentage, a from date of January 1, and the relevant costing version for planned costs. The company performed BOM calculations with the costing version for planned costs in order to simulate the impact of a change in manufacturing overheads.

Navigating the form

The following tables provide descriptions for the controls in this form.

Tabs

Tab	Description
Overview	View and maintain indirect cost calculation formulas for a surcharge.
General	View a selected calculation formula for a surcharge.

Buttons

Button	Description
Activate	Activate the selected cost calculation formula.

Fields

Field	Description
Status	Show the system-assigned status of the calculation formula. The status can be: Pending − A record is created with a pending status. Current active − Activating a pending record will change its status to current active. Previous active − When a current active record exists, activating a pending record will change its status to previous active.
Code	Select or show the unique code of the costing sheet node for a surcharge or a rate. The code must be previously defined in the Costing sheet setup form.
Type	Shows the type of calculation formula.
Node type	Shows the costing sheet node for the calculation formula.
Description	Show the description of the code.
Cost group	Show the cost group identifier for the indirect cost. The cost group identifier is assigned in the Costing sheet setup form.
Valid for	Show whether the calculation formula applies to all items, a group of items based on item group, or a specific item. The item validity reflects the values that were defined in the Costing sheet setup form.
Relation	Show the applicable item group or item when the item validity applies to a group or an item. The item validity reflects the values that were defined in the Costing sheet setup form.
Site	Enter or show the site for the calculation formula. The calculation formula can be site-specific, or it can use a null value to indicate a company-wide calculation formula. The site can be mandated as a policy in the Costing sheet setup form.
Amount	Enter the rate as an amount (expressed in the local currency).
Percent	Enter the surcharge as a percentage.
From date	Enter or show the from date for a calculation formula with a pending status, or display the activation date for a calculation formula with an active status.
Block	Pending records for a calculation formula cannot be maintained because of the blocking flag in the costing version.