Works Order Operation Stages

When processing a works order it may go through various stages in the build process or through various departments in the factory. This new feature allows you create new ‘operation’ stock codes which can be included within the assembly definition. When used in a works order the printed document can act as a ‘route guide’ with page breaks on change of operations and, in addition, the works order header can be updated to show that stage is completed.

Stock Maintenance

The Stock Maintenance processes are used to add an operation stock code. The stock code should be set so that both the non-stock and operation flags are set to ‘Y’.

Note that the use of the stock description as the works order stage title means that the description should be limited to one line for clarity. Stock Codes which are flagged as Operation codes are excluded from transaction input in stock control together with use as stock items in order processing, invoice and job costing.

Assembly Maintenance

Within the assembly maintenance a new type of entry is available – O-Operation – which allows you to select an operation stock code.

Note that the Operation stock codes will be displayed during build production within stock control and with the print/value assemblies report.

Bill of Materials Works Order Entry

The Works Order is processed for order entry in the normal manner – creating the works order details based on the selected assembly and its components. In addition to adding order detail lines for the operation codes the system will also update the operation stock items description as a stages code into the works order header.

Note that Operation entries can only be added automatically by the system via the assembly definition – you cannot manually add an operation entry nor can you amend an operation entry within the works order.

Bill of Materials Works Order Print

Operation codes are displayed within the printed works order as with standard component lines and note entries. In addition the document can be configured to perform a page break so that you have one works order stage per document page (allowing the completed page to be returned to the office to record the stage completion).

Works Order Ledger Enquiry

The Panel options within the Works Order Ledger Enquiry can be configured to display the works order operation stages – double-clicking the entry changes the works order stage to complete (and back again) allowing a visual display of the current stage of the works order.

Note that the works order stages have no impact on the standard works order status option of active / complete.

Installation

Database Changes

New data items are required on the Stock File to identify a stock line as an operation, the Works Order Header file to allow display of the works order stages and the status, and the Works Order Detail to identify a line as an operation entry.

To add these new items select Installation from the main menu followed by Application Manager and then Restructure A Database. Select the Stock Control or Bill of Materials application.Elect to update the Live Files and then select the Stock File, Works Order Header File or Works Order Detail File as appropriate. The existing data items are then displayed on screen, scroll-down to the next available blank entries and create the following items: File, Item, Name, Type, Description

STA OPERATION ? Flag item identifying the stock item as a works order operation code.

WOH OPERATION-1 X (30) Description Item for the first works order stage.

WOH OPERATION-N X (30) Description Item for the nth works order stage – repeat for the number of stages a works order can go through (max 16). Items must be consecutive within the database.

WOH OP-STATUS-1 ? Flag item identifying whether the first works order stage is completed.

WOH OP-STATUS-N ? Flag item identifying whether the nth works order stage is completed. An equivalent number of status items must be created to the work order stages above and all items must be consecutive within the database.

WOD OPERATION ? Flag item identifying the works order detail as an operation entry.

To insert a new item press <Enter> against a blank entry, enter the title as required and press <Enter>, select the item type (using the drop-down list if required), and depending on item type select the size required.

Once the additional items have been recorded press the <ESC> key and select the UPDATEbutton to save the database changes.When prompted respond ‘Y’ to the prompts to ‘Extract Existing Data to New Database Structure’ and, if appropriate, ‘Copy Table Entries from Old Database to New Database’. Final prompts ask to ‘Remove (.OLD) Database’ and to ‘Carry Out the Same Restructure on the BASE File as Well’ – respond as required.If you select to update the base file you need to manually insert the new items at the same data item positions as on the live file.

Once the Stock File item(s) have been added repeat the process for the Works Order Header and Works Order Detail items.

Bill of Materials System Profiles

To enable the Works Order Operation options parameters have been added to the Bill of Materials System Profile screen(s). To update the profiles select Installation from the main menu before selecting Application Manager and then System Profiles before selecting the Bill of Materials application.



Stock Item to indicate that record is an Operation – select the data item on the stock file that records the operation flag item added above.

Number of Operations on Works Order Header – enter the maximum number of works order operation stages that can be recorded on the Works Order Header. Maximum allowed is 16 but you should reference the number of data items created above.

Works Order Header Item for 1^st Operation Name – select the data item on the works order header that will hold the first works order operation stage name.

Works Order Header Item for 1^st Operation Status – select the data item on the works order header that will hold the first works order operation stage status.

Works Order Detail Item to indicate an Operation – select the data item on the works order detail that will hold the operation flag

Document Design

A new parameter is available for the Print Works Documents to perform a page break on change of the operation stage. To update the Document Design select Installation from the main menu followed by the Application Manager option and then Document Design Manager.Select the Bill of Materials application and the Print Works Orders document type. Enter the appropriate document number and when the document mask is displayed on screen select the Parameters option from the main toolbar to display the first screen of parameters. The new options have been added to parameter screen 13 Optional Features – use the ACTION button to move to this parameter screen.

Start New Page on Each Works Order Detail Operation – set to start a new document page before printing a works order operation detail.

Application Screen Layouts

The Stock Maintenance screen needs to be updated to allow setting of the operation flag. To update the screen layout(s) users can sign on as the SYSTEM user-id (or if Premier any user with Installer rights) and right-click on the Stock Records menu option before selecting the Add New Stock Record screen. Alternatively users can select the Installation option from the main menu followed by Application Manager and then Application User Facilities. Select the Stock Control application before selecting Maintain Stock and then Add New Stock Record screen.

To insert the operation flag you’ll first need to add a text label of ‘Operation’ (or similar), to do this use the mouse to position the cursor where required and then type the required text. To insert the data items position the cursor where required and press the <F4-Select> key and choose the data item required. Set whether items are view-only, mandatory or require uppercase input as required. Once complete choose File and then Save & Exit

Ledger Enquiry Configuration

To update the Works Order Ledger Enquiry to display the operation stages you need to update the alternate panel settings within the Enquiries Configuration options. To update the enquiry select Installation from the main menu followed by Application Manager, Ledger Enquiry Manager and then Enquiries Configuration. Select the Bill of Materials application before selecting the Alternate Panel Settings.

To display the operations in either the left or right panel select ‘Operations’ for the appropriate panel display (no other settings are required).