One seemingly simple inventory count led to a discovery that could save NetSuite administrators hours of troubleshooting.

The Problem That Stumped Us

Picture this: You’re conducting a routine spot count in NetSuite’s Smart Count feature. Everything looks normal—the item record is complete, department and class fields are populated, all the usual suspects are in order. But then, you hit submit and get slapped with this frustrating error:

“The count cannot be completed because the required fields are empty on the inventory adjustment record. Contact your administrator.”

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. This NetSuite Smart Count error has puzzled countless NetSuite administrators, sending them on wild goose chases through item records, searching for missing mandatory fields that simply aren’t missing. This is exactly where expert NetSuite troubleshooting becomes invaluable.

The Real Culprit: A Hidden Configuration Issue

After digging into the script execution log (always your best friend when troubleshooting), we discovered the actual error message:

USER_ERROR: You must select a lot sizing method

This error points to a lesser-known but critical aspect of NetSuite’s inventory management: Advanced Item Location Configuration.

The Solution: It’s Simpler Than You Think

Here’s what actually fixes the issue:

1. Navigate to the item record experiencing the problem
2. Go to the Locations subtab
3. Look for locations showing “Configure” next to them
4. Click “Configure” for each affected location
5. Save the record (this is the crucial step most people miss)

That’s it. Even if the lot sizing method appears to be populated when you open the configuration, you must save the record to properly register the settings in NetSuite’s system.

The Technical Deep Dive: What’s Really Happening

The issue stems from NetSuite’s Advanced Item Location Configuration feature. When this feature is enabled, each item-location combination requires specific configuration settings, including the lot sizing method.

Here’s the tricky part: The configuration might appear complete in the interface, but NetSuite’s internal validation requires these settings to be explicitly saved. Until that save action occurs, the system treats the lot sizing method as unset, causing NetSuite Smart Count operations to fail.

Pro Tip: Switch to the “Planning” view in the Locations subtab. If the lot sizing method appears blank here, you know you need to configure and save that location.

What Is Advanced Item Location Configuration?

While solving this Smart Count error, we discovered it’s related to NetSuite’s Advanced Item Location Configuration feature. This feature requires specific settings for each item-location combination, including the critical lot sizing method that was causing our error.

The key takeaway: When this feature is enabled, you must properly configure and save the settings for each location, even if they appear to be populated. The lot sizing method has four options:

Lot-for-Lot – Orders match exact daily demand projections, minimizing carrying costs but potentially increasing ordering frequency.

Fixed Lot Size – Orders based on predetermined quantities, ideal for items with setup costs or minimum order requirements.

Fixed Lot Multiple – Orders in multiples of a base quantity (cases, pallets, etc.), perfect for packaging constraints.

Periods of Supply – Consolidates demand over specific periods to reduce shipping costs and vendor complexity.

Understanding these options helps you make informed decisions about your inventory management strategy, but the immediate fix remains the same: configure and save those location settings.

The Bigger Picture: Proactive NetSuite Management

This Smart Count error illustrates a crucial principle: NetSuite’s most frustrating problems often have simple solutions, but finding them requires systematic troubleshooting and deep system knowledge.

Here’s what separates successful NetSuite implementations from struggling ones:

1. Always check script execution logs when encountering mysterious errors
2. Understand the interconnected nature of NetSuite features
3. Test configurations thoroughly before rolling out to production
4. Document solutions for future reference (and team training)

Your Next Steps

If you’re experiencing Smart Count errors:

1. Check your script execution logs first (Setup > Integration > Script Execution Log)
2. Review any items with “Configure” showing in their Locations subtab
3. Save all item location configurations, even if they appear complete
4. Consider whether Advanced Item Location Configuration aligns with your inventory management goals

Need Expert Help?

Navigating NetSuite’s advanced features shouldn’t feel like solving puzzles. If you’re spending more time troubleshooting than optimizing your business processes, it might be time to bring in expert help.

At Limebox, we’ve encountered (and solved) virtually every NetSuite challenge you can imagine. From mysterious script errors to complex customizations, we help businesses unlock NetSuite’s full potential without the headaches.

Ready to transform your NetSuite experience? Let’s talk about how we can eliminate these frustrations and optimize your system for maximum efficiency.