Looking for the best methodology of creating/assigning SKU# to computer parts
accessories for retail setting.  For example, what are the optimum
number if digits, that should make up the SKU number.  Should the placement
of the numbers (that make up SKU) represent things such as
Manufacturer, Product Category, etc.  As a retailer, is it best to
come up with your own SKU#, or adopt the SKU# from a distributor, or
vendor.  Pros and Cons?

You can make the sku anything you like. For ex: You can make the sku
in two parts separated by a zero, where the first part represants the
model of the item and the second is the uniqe number you assign for
you records. In your system you will enter the whole number and assign
a description. The two parts may be something like this "0 45678098765
0" or "45678098765" 45678 could be an assigned model number by you or
the actual model number of the item. 98765 is the number you assign to
the item in your system. Using the original sku that the manufacturer
assigns is probably the easiest thing to do because everything is
premade and you dont have to print new labels and you dont have to
reinvent the wheel so to say. The sku could stand for anything you
want it to stand for but it is not necessary. Its most inmportant
perpose is to identify the item and show its price in cashregister
program. Also printing your own barcode labels can create a target of
oportunity for shoplifters as they peel the sku tag of a cheaper item
and place it on a more expensive one. As you will hire a register
staff at 5.50 and hour instead of 15.50 for a competant college
grad...The hired help will be careless as to what people buy and
checking weather the item name as rung up from the sku matches the
item at hand. There are many programs out there that let you make your
own skus and pring labels etc. Dell pdas come with sku readers via
blutooth and wired sku readers. There are sku readers for pc along
with progs that make up and print out any skus you like. Many allow
you to download them and give you a free trial. There is alot of
things in skus and barcodes you can do but most of them are not
neccesary.

If you can use the given sku without printing any of your own labels
it will be the most cheapest and productive method even if the items
are not labeled but the sku is provided it is still easier to enter
the sku from an invoce along with the item description into a program
then make up you own then enter the description and then try to keep
things organized. If you are in a situation that you will have to
print your own skus and barcodes then use special partioned labels
such as in use by sportsauthority stores. They work well to prevent
the shoplifters from repricing you products.

If there is anything else you want me to find out or research for you
or my answer is inconclusive please clarify what else you need and i
will look into it.

I made a mistake to my understanding the sku was the same as the bar
code, i recently cleared up my misunderstanding. In this case in my
previous comment where ever it says sku assume it means bar code. This
info may still be usefull to you.