Dimensions and custom fields let you push additional categorization and data from Alvys into Sage Intacct on every exported bill and invoice. Configuring them (also called field matching or dimension setup) involves work in two systems: you create the values in Sage Intacct first, then map them to the corresponding Alvys fields from your integration settings.

This article walks through all four phases — setting up dimension values in Sage Intacct, mapping those dimensions in Alvys, creating custom fields in Sage Intacct, and mapping custom fields in Alvys — plus the available fields and FAQs.

Confirm the following before you begin:

Complete the four phases in order. Phases 1 and 3 are performed in Sage Intacct; phases 2 and 4 are performed in Alvys.

A dimension in Sage Intacct is a classification system — think of it as a tag with a set of values — that lets you sort and report on financial data across business segments such as location, department, or class without complicating your chart of accounts. Create the dimension values you need in Sage Intacct before mapping them in Alvys, and repeat this sub-process for each value.

Navigate to the relevant dimension module. For Location and Department, go to Company > Setup. For other standard dimension types, go to Reports > Setup > Dimensions to manage all dimension types.

Click Add to begin creating a new dimension value.

Enter a unique ID for the dimension value. We recommend choosing this ID carefully, as it cannot be changed after creation.

Enter a Name for the dimension value. Unlike the ID, the name can be updated later if needed.

Optionally provide a Description or other relevant details depending on the dimension type. For locations, you may also configure a primary Contact with address details that appear on invoices and forms.

To build a parent-child hierarchy, specify a Parent to nest the new value under an existing one. Leave it blank if the value should sit at the top level.

Set the Status: Active allows transactions to post against the value. Active Non-Posting, which is available for Department, Location, Class, Customer, Vendor, and Project dimensions, makes the value available for reporting and roll-ups but prevents alvys from posting transactions directly to it.

Click Save. The dimension value will now appear in your list and become available for tagging on transactions throughout the system.

Repeat these steps for each additional value you need before mapping in Alvys.

After creating dimension values in Sage Intacct, map each dimension to an Alvys field from Settings > Connections > Sage Intacct > Dimensions and Custom Fields. Each dimension is mapped to one Alvys field. The available Alvys fields are:

The Dimension Mappings table shows two columns: Sage Field (the dimension name from Sage; required dimensions carry a red "Required" badge and must be mapped, or exports fail with validation errors) and Alvys Field (an "Add Mapping" dropdown to choose which Alvys field maps to the dimension).

Select the appropriate Alvys field from the dropdown for each dimension.

Once a dimension is mapped to an Alvys field, control how individual values are matched between the two systems. The mapping panel provides two levels of control: a Default Value and Specific Value Mappings.

Default Value. The Default value is a fallback: when an exported transaction's Alvys value has no specific mapping, Alvys applies the Default as the Sage dimension value, so every transaction is tagged with a valid value. If a dimension is Required in Sage, always set a Default to prevent export failures. With no Default and no specific mapping, Alvys passes the Alvys value through as-is, which may cause validation errors in Sage.

Specific Value Mappings. Specific Value Mappings define exact one-to-one matches between individual Alvys values and Sage dimension values — for example, mapping the Alvys "Brokerage" office to the Sage location "Boston" and the Alvys "Inc" office to "San Diego Terminal". Any value without a specific mapping falls back to the Default.

To map values, click the Map Values button next to the dimension in the Dimension Mappings table.

A panel opens with two columns — Sage Values (the dimension values from your Sage environment) and Alvys Values (the values from the Alvys field you selected). Match each Sage value to the appropriate Alvys value, and set the Default Value at the top of the panel.

After mapping values, the Map Values button updates to show how many values are mapped (e.g., "3 Value(s)") so you can quickly see which dimensions have value mappings configured.

Custom fields are user-defined fields added to standard Sage objects; the Alvys integration can populate them with Alvys data on every exported transaction. They are supported on four Sage objects: AR Invoice (header), AR Invoice Item (line item), AP Bill (header), and AP Bill Item (line item). The object you pick determines where the field appears. Custom fields must exist in Sage Intacct before you can map them in Alvys — repeat this sub-process for each one.

Depending on your subscription, navigate to Platform Services > All > Object Customization (or Customization Services > All > Object Customization) and click Add next to Custom Fields.

Select the Object to which you want to add the custom field from the dropdown list and click Next. This is where you choose the object type, for example AR Invoice, AP Bill, AR Invoice Item, or AP Bill Item.

Select the Data Type for your custom field and click Next. The data type determines what kind of information the field will accept.

Only the following data types are supported by the Alvys integration:

Do not select these unsupported types, as they cannot be mapped to Alvys: Picklist, Picklist (multi-select), Checkbox, Email, Percent, Sequence, URL, or Password. Unsupported custom field types will not appear in the mapping interface.

Enter a Label for the field. This is the text that will appear next to the field in the user interface. Sage Intacct will auto-suggest a Field ID based on the label. The Field ID is used by APIs and cannot contain spaces.

Define any additional field characteristics based on the data type you selected, such as field length, decimal places, default values, or picklist values, and click Next.

Configure Deployment Options and click Done: set whether the field is required, and the section and tab where it appears on the Sage record.

Alvys provides built-in fields, organized into seven groups, that can be mapped to Sage custom fields:

In addition, two Custom Reference types can be mapped: Custom Load References (resolved from the load at export) and Custom Trip References (resolved from the trip at export). These appear in the Alvys Field dropdown grouped under their own headings.

Custom references are managed under Settings > Custom References, organized into six tabs (Loads, Trips, Stops, Drivers, Trucks, Trailers).

From there you can create a New Reference, name and describe it, pick a field type (Text, Date, etc.), and configure whether it shows within Alvys and on documents.

The Custom Field Mappings table displays seven columns: Sage Field, Code, Object, ID, Type, Chars (max character length), and Alvys Field (a dropdown grouped by category). To map a custom field, find it in the table and select the Alvys field in the last column — only type-compatible Alvys fields appear.

Custom field mappings can be configured during initial setup or any time afterward. During initial setup, they are configured at Step 5: Advanced Settings, where Alvys retrieves your available Sage custom fields and you select the Alvys field for each.

After setup, modify mappings from Settings > Connections > Sage Intacct: click the integration for your subsidiary, select the Dimensions and Custom Fields tab, and use the same mapping interface. Mapping changes apply to future exports only — invoices and bills already in Sage are not retroactively updated.

After completing all four phases:

What is the main benefit of dimensions instead of modifying my chart of accounts?

Dimensions let you tag, slice, and report on financial data across business segments (location, fleet, driver) without overcomplicating your chart of accounts. When you add a new dimension value, all existing account codes automatically become available to it.

Can I use Custom Dimensions with the Alvys integration?

No. Only standard Sage Intacct dimension types are supported (Location, Department, Class, Customer, Vendor, Employee, Project, Item, Asset, Contract, Warehouse).

What does "Active Non-Posting" status mean for a dimension value?

The value is available for reporting and roll-ups in Sage Intacct, but Alvys cannot post transactions directly to it.

What is the difference between a Default Value and a Specific Value Mapping?

A Specific Value Mapping is an exact one-to-one match between an Alvys value and a Sage dimension value (e.g., Alvys "Brokerage" → Sage "Boston"). The Default Value is the fallback applied when an Alvys value has no specific mapping, preventing export errors.

What happens if a dimension has a red "Required" badge in the mapping table?

It is required by your GL accounts in Sage. You must map it in Alvys and set a Default Value, otherwise exports fail with validation errors.

Which Sage Intacct object types support custom fields in this integration?

Four: AR Invoice (header), AR Invoice Item (line item), AP Bill (header), and AP Bill Item (line item).

What data types are supported when creating custom fields for Alvys mapping?

Date, Currency, Number, Text, and Text Area. Unsupported types (Picklist, multi-select Picklist, Checkbox, Email, Percent, Sequence, URL, Password) do not appear in the Alvys mapping interface.

Which Alvys Custom References can I map to Sage Intacct?

Two: Custom Load References and Custom Trip References (of the six custom reference entities Alvys supports).

If I update a custom field mapping today, will it update my past invoices in Sage?

No. Mapping changes take effect on future exports only; previously exported transactions are never retroactively updated.

Why should I pay attention to the "Chars" column in the Custom Field Mappings table?

It shows the maximum character length Sage Intacct allows for that text field. If the Alvys value exceeds it, the value is truncated on export.