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Forum Replies Created
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Great tip Andrew! Thank you.
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Billy, you hit the nail on the head. That is the single biggest challenge, and it is on going. It takes effort to properly document things and people get lazy.
It has been a constant challenge for us.
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We use contact management for several functions in our company.
We have a Warehousing and Operations contact master where daily activity logs are kept.
We have an IT contact master used for internal IT support records
We have an Export Compliance contact master which is used to document all export compliance issues.
We have a sales contact master which is used to document sales leads and efforts.
We have an accounting contact master which is used to document collections and company account notes.
We have a cores contact manager which is used to record all core collection efforts.
And, lastly, we have a secondary sales contact master used to record numbers and notes for regular sales meetings.
So, each of the data elements you identified is different depending on what the contact master is used for.
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Kelley,
Please be more specific. Are you talking about modifying a credit memo to be greater than the original amount, or are you talking about applying a payment to an open recieable which is more than the AR amount, or are you talking about manually applying credit to a customer account, or are you talking about creating credits on payables for your vendors (where you have the credit)
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Adam,
This is a good suggestion. This can be solved in a couple of way, however.
1. Use the screen designer module to create selection options for the users to choose from when entering parts. We do this for our export compliance fields.
2. You could use import/update scripts to perform mass upates on the part numbers if you have the data available.
3. You could use the event manager module to detect the addtion of the new part numbers marked as hazmat. Then, either write them to a file for updating in step two above, or send an alert to someone who can enter the data when time permits.
Just a couple of thoughts on how to do it without paying component control custom programming fees.
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We have the same challenge.
In our warehouse we have six benches lined up back to back with four computers back to back. In between each set of computers there is a
large wooden platform or table with white thick foam on it. This is what we place the parts on to take the pictures. However, when there are larger items that cannot be placed on the platform they still use the same cameras.
This may sound silly, but all I did was put six foot USB extensions on the camera. I worked with the remote scan people to improve the software a bit. The issue in this case is that person still has to press the button on the screen to snap the picture.
So, you can now (in the latest version) set the countdown time to anything you want. So all you person has to do is get the camera in place, wait a few second and it will snap the picture.
For objects that are enven bigger, we typically dont take pictures, or just do it the old fashion way.
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I agree. Tools shouldnt be mixed with regular inventory, unless you are selling them.
I dont think the issue is within quantum, but more in how you are locating your tools.
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Adam, I do not believe any applicaton has the ability to handle scanning in a remote environment expect Remote Scan. I searched for months, and tested several tools, including TSSCan and stuck with what worked.
Sorry, but you will probably spend more money in labor and down time trying to figure it out then to just get remote scan.
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The barcode system, in my opinion, is a must have for repair stations. It allows you to record labor, change status codes for job cards, issue parts from the stores room, record who the part was issued to, check tools out and in, and who those tools were checked out to, and all of the standard inventory related functions that come along with running a stores room.
The barcoding for this environment is a combination of gun readers, and wireless. I have personally implemented the barcode system in several repair shops and heavy AC Maintenance environements, two of which were airlines.
It will require you to create some customized documents, and have some administrative work orders for tracking time. It wont be easy, and you will likely get some kick back from some of the mechanics, but the end result will increase your accuracy of inventory, increase your visibility of actual billable work vs. breaks, training, etc. and reduce loss or stolen tools or parts.
Like I said, it wont be easy, and you need to know more than just how to install barcode equipment. you need to understand the business processes and how to effectively incorporate this equipment into your different processes throughout the work flow to get the most benefit.
Take a look at my presentation I did for the 2010 conference on bar coding. It goes over all of the features of the bar code system.
Hope that helps – Paul
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Thanks Tony – look forward to seeing the solution
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we had problems after a few upgrades ago.
What we did was change the QC Email settings to Mapi, Use HTML For Email Bodies and Use Shared Mapi Settings. And also select the “Outlook” in the Use Profile setting.
No other options are defined or selected. Also, make sure you do not have more than one email profile setup, such as an old lingering account in Outlook Express.
This seemed to clear up most issues. However, you need to tweak your outlook security settings
Hope that helps.
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This can be handled in a variety of ways. You can use the screen scriptor module to create flags allowing a way to identify the order for follow up.
You can use the PO Category codes on the line items and create a variety of “categories” of product transactions which can then be followed up on.
You can use numbering logs with a unique first letter. Then, when creating the order select the appropriate number log which identifies that order accordingly.
You can use stock category codes upon receipt identifing the product before it shipped out, Then, upon receipt fromt he RO, change the category code to something else, or leave it if it fails inspection.
You can use receiver instructions to relay the details to your receiving team so that they know to notify accounting upon reciept.
All of these options can be managed and monitored with Crystal Reports that you can either automate and have them send an email upon reciept, or run them manually.
For that matter, you can also use the screen scriptor module to embedd prompts to the user at certain points in the process based on data elements above.
Or, you can use the event manager to create scripts which monitor the data and do inserts, updates, emails, print documents, etc.
Hope that helps.
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Bob, You can certainly do this if your purchase orders are properly linked to the sales orders. It would probably be a much better approach to turn on the auto pick ticket printing function where the pick ticket is automatically generated if it is linked to a sales order. Then, modify your pick ticket to either look like and print as a label, or modify it to include an embedded label, which would require special order paper. The later is similar to what we do here at Worthington.
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If you have a an auto key variebale available in the current data pipe line you should be able to pull those notes in with a standard querry.
Here is some sample code I use in the my recieving inspection documents.
It is set in the On Print of a Memo opbject in the form.
var
q : TOracleDataset;
begin
q := TOracleDataset.Create(nil);
q.SetSession;
q.Sql.Text := ‘Select notes from ro_header where ‘ +
‘ROH_AUTO_KEY = ‘ + RC_HEADER[‘ROH_AUTO_KEY’];
q.Open;
memo1.Lines.Text :=q.FieldByName[‘NOTES’].AsString ;
q.Free;
end;
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I wouldnt bother trying. This feature is broken in the Forms Designer and Component Control is in no hurry to fix it as they are migrating to Crystal Report documents instead. I discovered this at the beginning of the year and had converstations with them, so unless they have fixed it in a recent versiion it is broken.
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Unfortunetly, if CC does not see this as a bug, I think the only solution is to pay them for custom programming.
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You should link the RO detail to the stock reservations. From the stock reservations to the stock. From the stock (stm_lot) to the wo_operation table.
It is a very confusing setup, but can be done. We have several fairly complex lot reports. It take some doing , but is possible.
The key is to the know that the the STM_LOT auto key on the stock lines is the same as the Lot Header stock line auto key (stm_auto_key)
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Andrew,
Thanks for the update. We, here, have not used the export for quite some time. We use a crystal report. If you want a copy of this to modify for yourself, you can easily filter out the on hold stock lines.
Let me know.
Paul
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Chris, we used the forms designer module and modified the SO Acknowledgment document to allow us to print a pro forma invoice at any stage.
This is probably the best approach. I would have to say this is not a bug.
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Dave,
We also have several lot reports. The information is not hard to collect if you know how the linkage and table structure works.
If you need help constructing a report, post to the forum as you progress and we can all pitch in.
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Canid, You dont need to run a report to get that informatoin. Just use the Stock Liquidate function.
We paid to have that developed, and its purpose is to specifically identify stock that is obsolete. You can color code stock lines that need to be liquidated. In the work screen, you can export the list of stock that hasnt moved.
Hope that helps.
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We have always used the standard print method. The chemical issue can be resolved by using cheap plastic bags. That is often what we do. We will put the paperwork/tag and label in a plastic bag and zip tie the bag to the part.
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Billy, I was speaking of the 2011 presentation on Barcode Capabilities.
Here is the link.
http://quegroup.camp7.org/Resources/2011Conference/QUE_Barcoding_Capabilities.pptx
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We apply users to local admin in our company. However, you dont necessarily need to do that. You can grant full access to the appropriate folders and registry keys for the local user.
It is a pain, but can be done.
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Billy, I did a presentation at this year’s conference on bar coding.
You can download it from the web site here. I think it would informative for you.
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I run crystal 10 on Windows 7 with no issues. XP compatible mode is probably the ticket.
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Tony – same thing here. You just have to enter three quotes.
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We use Oracle. Firebird is great for smaller operations, but Oracle is much more robust.
Sorry I missunderstood the setup with your receiving stations. 20k items will take a while to retrieve, even in Oracle.
I admit, there could be more effecient ways to process huge packages like this. But, unless you are willing to engage Component Control in some custom programming efforts, I dont think it will change.
I do have an excel spreadsheet that i developed to help manage and guage large reeciving projects like this. If you email me pstewart@worthingtonav.com I am willing to share it. It wont solve your problem, but what it will do is help set realistic expectations on the time to manage these large projects. It also estimates the hidden costs to the company.
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Receiving lots is a challenge simply because they are so large. The steps, and processes are not complicated in my opnion. The complication almost always comes through unrefined processes.
Here is how we receive large lots – yes, similiar in size to yours -.
We process them in two ways.
The first way, we do NOT have a parts list ahead of time. This might be like an aircraft teardown.
In our warehouse we have five computer stations set up with scanner, camera, bar code printer and regular printer.
Our staff simply adds the items directly into the lot. This is the most effecient process and was designed to be a quick entry method. We do not use the receiving inspection module. So, as each part is received, documents scanned, photographed and labeled, it is moved onto to the inspection table and inspected and then located in a bin after being scanned with the wireless barcode unit.
For Lots which we DO have a list of parts, we import the list into the lot ahead of time using the MS Excel Spreadsheet Import utility. These items are assinged a location of “No Loc”. As much data as possible is imported ahead of time.
Once this is imported, and the parts begin to arrive, the warehouse clerk will look up the part in the lot using the right click grid search feature (CTRL+F). I make sure that each user has the fetch size on their grid set to -1 so that the searching is much faster.
Once the clerk finds the item, they scan documents, photograph the part and apply the label. After the inspection the part is scanned into its location.
At the end of the project, if there are any items remaining which still have the No Loc location assigned to them, they are discrepencies and are researched and corrected.
There is a final way to process these items if you are importing your items prior to recieivng. If you have imported your items, you can use the Stock Search – off of the inventory module – to look through all of the stock lines int he system to find each item you process. Without even closing out the stock search, you can fill in all required data, scan documents and label the part, then move onto the next part.
There are two other ways to process stock as well, but that should be enough to get you started.
To be honest, if you are trying to work lot packages in excess of 20,000 parts and you dont even have a bank of computers to process your activities, the problem is not within the keystrokes of Quantum. I think you should rethink your approach to your projects.
I know that this process, in both cases, takes 7 minutes 30 seconds per part to process.
I multipy that by the number of workstations I have processing parts, then by the number of dedicated man hours I am putting towards the project and I can pretty much calculate the completion date of the project.
Best of luck, and hope this helps.
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Billy,
The simpliest solution would be to just create your own 8130 document in Crystal Reports to print what you need.
Or, you could modify the existing one, or an existing document but unless you pay CC for custom programming there arent many other options.
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We use QC to manage all quarentene items by placing them in a special location.
Then, we put the stock lines on hold. By checking the hold box on the stock lines, the stock lines will be hidden from all stock summary and reservation screens thereby preventing possible use of the stock. The stock is still visible in the inventory module by going into the full stock browse (F9).
To further manage the remove of these items from the system, should that be the case, I recommend you review the 2009 presentation on gave on Managing Stock Shortages.
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The SOD_Link field is correct. However, you must use an outter join because you can potentially link a quote to multiple sales orders. You could do a count of the unique sod auto key values in the sod_link field for each cq_detail auto key, or cq_header auto key (depending on what level you wan the count on) then calculate your percentage.
Send me an email and I will give you a report I have created for this purpose. It probably isnt exactly what you are looking for, but it calculates conversion percentages in the report footer.
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I think an easier way would be to create two region objects. Then, within each region place all of your logos and text for each company.
Then, turn visible on or off for each company depending on the auto key value.
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Tony,
There is no way other than to use either the validate shipment line, or reserve shipment line that I am aware of. You can also use the update shipment status or transfer location.
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Oops. You are correct. My mistake. Ok then. In order to merge warehouse codes you will need to figure out where all of the instances of the whs_auto_key are. In order to do that, you can run this SQL script to find all of the places you will need to merge.
select utc.table_name, utc.column_name, subStr(utc.data_type,1,10) data_type, utc.data_length, (select min(pk.table_name) from user_cons_columns ucc, user_constraints uc, user_constraints pk where ucc.constraint_name = uc.constraint_name and pk.constraint_name = uc.r_constraint_name and uc.table_name = utc.table_name and ucc.column_name = utc.column_name) parent_table
from user_tab_columns utc
where column_name = ‘WHS_AUTO_KEY’
order by column_id
Once you find all of the tables (tables not views), then you can run the following SQL to merge it.
update xxxxtable set whs_auto_key=YYY where whs_auto_key=ZZZ
Dont forget that you may have to set the closed_update = ‘T’ in order to circumvent the stored procedures on some tables like the stock table.
Once you run that on each of the tables found by the first SQL statement, you can delete the value from your warehouse codes table.
However, my first comment about the GL Accounts merge still applies.
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Leo – may I ask what the specifics of the enhancement are?
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Simon,
The simple script is as such.
update stock set unit_cost=XX.XX, closed_update=’T’ where unit_cost=0 and qty_oh>0
However, if you manually update your stock lines, and you use the accounting module you will put your operational data out of balance with your GL. Additionally, if one of these parts is on a po and you try to return that part, it will put your gl out of balance because your stock cost wont match your po cost.
Just a few things to watch out for.
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Yes. You can use the OCDia.exe tool, or the DIA.exe tool depending on your database.
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We completely abandoned the PR module and created our owe process for both purchasing and repairs. We also are delploying the same methods for RMA’s and Warehouse stock tranfsers.
In a nut shell, I used the screen scriptor module to add new fields to the PO header. The purchasing agent marks a box that says it is ready for submission and datetime stamps it. He specifies the authorizing person in another field.
Our system monitors the PO header table, see the event and sends an email to the authorizing person (based on dollar levels specificied in their user account) and includes an complete vendor, part, and sale (if applicable) analysis report to ensure the purchase complys with company policies for profit margins, stocking levels, vendor performance, etc.
The authorizing person edits the po header and marks it approved with the dollar amount and that is date time stamped. The system see the change in the header and sends an approval notice to the requesting puchasing agent. If the item is a drop ship, another email is sent to the quality and warehouse team. If the item is a prepay transaction, a notification with the PO details is immediately sent to the vendor.
The same methods are used for approving repair orders. Works well.
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Leonard – you need to group your report by sales person. Then in the group footer go to the section expert (right click on the group footer) mark the option that says New Page After
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I have not heard of this issue. I would recommend an upgrade and review with QC.
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Leo – exchanges done in lots will alwasy have the core come back as zero. This is because of the way lots work. You cannot have a lot margin higher than the sell price – which is used if you are using the depreciate core method. Additionally, if you are not using tha method, and instead using the last repair cost, then the repair costs will either go against the stock line or against the lot header. If they go against the lot header, see note above. If they go against he stock line, then the difference between the repair costs and the sell price will be used to calculate the lot margin and again will not exceed the sell price.
The bottom line is that lots are a completely different way to cost inventory. The conecpt of exchange costing methods simply do not apply in the world of lots. They contradict each other.
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Anthony, You should probably use the built in Warehouse Code Merge utilty found in the System menu. If you use the warehouse code as a GL segment, it will not merge those accounts. you will have to use the GL Account merge function to take care of that.
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We have the same issue, so we use the customs invoice from our shipping software (not Fedex or UPS)
As a side thought, you can easily modify the shipping order header with the screen scriptor module and add those fields yourself, Then modify the customs documents to print the information.
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We have used that module for several years. We have six warehouses and have managed well.
We do not use the codes for anything except open and close. Our inspection process is aided by a customized QA document which throws alerts if it sees data discrencies.
The warehouse codes is not an issue for us. Purchasing puts the warehouse codes into the line items for each PO. Repairs typically go back to the same warehouse, but even if they dont they are easily changed.
If you set up your warehouse codes and location codes properly, and you use the barcode system you will be able to esily tell if the warehouse code is incorrect. Additionally, we use number logs for each warehouse. So, checks are done upon receiving to verify that the warehouse code relates to the proper receiving log being used, as well as ILS code, etc. This is done with the screen scriptor module. That way, if all elements do not match, an error is thrown and rquires the user to correct it.
Additionally, by using the department codes and numbering logs cleverly, you can easily create reports for your recieving and shipping volumes, as well as your order entry activity to see where the labor burdens are withing your orginzation.
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Irina
There is a block for payment terms available if you turn it on in the system, but frankly it does not conform to typical processing procedures so it is cumbersome.
We have solved this two ways. One – we modified out pick tickets to print in big bold red letters when certain elements are present on the order. Those elements might be certain payment terms, or destinations, etc. The statement changes based on that, but the typical one is that “Accounting Approval Is Required”. If the warehouse people see this, they pick the order and set it aside. In turn, the sales person may (or sometimes not) provide a pack slip to the accounting department. Once accounting approves the order, they will go into the warehouse and actually stamp the pick tick with a red stamp that says Accounting Approved. Additionally, the custom bridge we have built to our third party shipping software looks for these same data elements will be alert the warehouse person when they actually try to process the shipment and print shipping labels. This allows them to double check the pick ticket and make sure it was approved.
On rare occasion one slips through, but no matter what you do it will always require individuals being accountable for the transaction. The bottom line is that your warehouse should be empowered to not ship goods if the order isnt approved. One or two of these shipment not going and people will get on board with the program real fast.
In summary, I think you really need to define the process, and document the procedure making it company policy. The changes to QC is fairly limited and can be done with a modified pick ticket and a big red stamp.
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Tony,
This would possibly be caused by not having the distribution codes set up properly.
For each charge you must have the proper distribution code set up for it. Edit the charge and you see what I am speaking of. If no distribution codes are setup, then it would use the default code defined in the GL default setup.
If it is an adjustment charge, they should look in the original batch that the invoice hit. Adjustments do not hit open batches, they are posted automatically backwards to the original batch I believe.
Leo – “M” type line items are not charges. Those are Credit Memos.
A few of the charge code type codes in Sales Orders are as follows
X = misc.
L = Labor
F = Freight
I did a white paper on type code identifyers some time ago. I’ll see if I can dig it up.
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Tony,
If you choose to go with Datalink, you can keep all of your reports on a central shared drive. Then, point the datalink clients to the reports so that you dont have copies everywhere. For security, I then grant folder level access to people who are allowed to run the reports. For example, only Accounting group can run the Accounting reports. This way you dont have to worry about going outside of QC security.
Also, you can use Active Directory to deploy the application. Just a thought.
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Tony,
This is why I dont use the Crystal interface in QC. It is unreliable and clumsy at best.
I recommend you get Datalink Viewer from Millet Software. I’ve been using this product, and Visual Cut for several years and its rock solid. Not to mention is extrememly cheap and Ido Millet is an exceptional guy to work with.
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Tony,
If you are able to manually input this information into the line item, and it saves then you should be able to pull it into the Quote document.
That field is also linked. It is most likely the form is looking for the linked stock line and pulling the information from the stock line instead of the static field in the quote detail.