You use this activity to define numbering patterns in the system. For more information, see Numbering Patterns.
To define a numbering pattern, do the following:
On the Next Number Maintenance
screen, specify the type of numbering pattern you want to define.
If you are defining a pattern for SFC Release
, specify the type of shop order (see Shop Order).
If you are defining a pattern for SFC Release
, SFC Serialize
, RMA SFC Number
, Inventory ID
, or Batch Number
, enter the material and its version or material group that you want to associate with the numbering pattern (see Material).
Note
You can also use an asterisk (*
) which means all materials and all versions.
If you are defining a pattern for Container Number
, enter the container with which you want to associate the numbering pattern (see Container).
Note
You can also use an asterisk (*
) which means all containers for which numbering pattern is not defined.
If you are defining a pattern for Packaging Material Type
, enter the container of the Packaging Material Type
category with which you want to associate the numbering pattern.
Enter data as required.
The following table describes fields requiring explanation:
Field | Description |
---|---|
| The prefix of the numbering pattern To use variables, specify a replaceable parameter (see Replaceable Parameters). |
| The suffix of the numbering pattern To use variables, specify a replaceable parameter. |
| The number base of the sequence portion of the numbering pattern This base can range from 2 to 36. Use base ten to specify the number base. For example for hexadecimal, specify 16. Note that base ten uses digits 0-9, while higher number bases (10 to 36) use letters A to Z to represent digits higher than 9. |
| The number of characters for the sequence portion of the numbering pattern If the sequence number has fewer characters, the system supplies leading zeros. To indicate no limit, leave the field blank. |
| The lower limit for the sequence portion of the numbering pattern |
| The upper limit for the sequence portion of the numbering pattern After the sequence exceeds this value, the system displays a message stating that new numbers are not available. To indicate the highest maximum sequence possible (2,147,483,647), enter 0 (zero). Note that you must express this value using the numbering base specified in the |
| Indicates how many numbers are left before the value in the |
| The value by which you want to increment the current sequence number after a new number is generated |
| The next number of the sequence portion of the numbering pattern The system uses this number when it generates the next number for the pattern. In most cases, do not change this value after initial generation. Note that you must express this value using the numbering base specified in the |
|
Note Make sure that your next numbering pattern generates unique numbers. End of the note.
|
| The activity ID of the custom activity you want the system to run during the next number generation |
| Selected: If the shop order import requires a starting sequence number versus a discrete series of SFC numbers, creates a continuous string of SFC numbers according to the next number sequence. Deselected: Creates a series of SFC numbers that may or may not be continuous Allows SFC numbers to be created, even when an existing SFC number is within the new sequence of numbers. |
| Selected: Commits the next number record while the numbers are being generated. The system unlocks the next number record after each new ID is generated so that other users can release orders using this record. Use this option to prevent users who are releasing orders or serializing SFC numbers from having to wait till another user finishes releasing an order. Deselected: Does not commit the next number record when the numbers are being generated. Use this option to allow only one process (for example, shop order release) to apply this next number pattern and make other processes wait till the current process finishes generating all needed IDs with this pattern. |
| Displays a sample of the next number pattern based on the values entered and saved on the screen |
Save your entries.