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Background documentationNext Number Maintenance Locate this document in the navigation structure

 

You use this activity to define numbering patterns in the system. For more information, see Numbering Patterns.

Procedure

To define a numbering pattern, do the following:

  1. On the Next Number Maintenance screen, specify the type of numbering pattern you want to define.

  2. If you are defining a pattern for SFC Release, specify the type of shop order (see Shop Order).

  3. 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 Note

    You can also use an asterisk (*) which means all materials and all versions.

    End of the note.

  4. Enter data as required.

    The following table describes fields requiring explanation:

    Field

    Description

    Prefix

    The prefix of the numbering pattern

    To use variables, specify a replaceable parameter (see Replaceable Parameters).

    Suffix

    The suffix of the numbering pattern

    To use variables, specify a replaceable parameter.

    Number Base

    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.

    Sequence Length

    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.

    Min Sequence

    The lower limit for the sequence portion of the numbering pattern

    Max Sequence

    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 Number Base field.

    Warning Threshold

    Indicates how many numbers are left before the value in the Max Sequence field is exceeded and triggers a warning message (see Message)

    Increment By

    The value by which you want to increment the current sequence number after a new number is generated

    Current Sequence

    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 Number Base field.

    Reset Sequence Number

    Never: Prevents the sequence number from being reset to the minimum sequence value defined

    Always: Resets the sequence number every time a new number is generated to the minimum sequence value defined. If you select the Always option, you have to use replaceable parameters (see Replaceable Parameters).

    Note Note

    Make sure that your next numbering pattern generates unique numbers.

    End of the note.

    Daily: Resets the sequence number daily to the minimum sequence value defined based on the local server time

    Weekly: Resets the sequence number weekly to the minimum sequence value defined based on the local server time

    Monthly: Resets the sequence number monthly to the minimum sequence value defined based on the local server time

    Yearly: Resets the sequence number yearly to the minimum sequence value defined based on the local server time

    Next Number Activity

    The activity ID of the custom activity you want the system to run during the next number generation

    Create Continuous SFCs on Import

    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.

    Commit Next Number Changes Immediately

    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.

    Sample Next Number

    Displays a sample of the next number pattern based on the values entered and saved on the screen

  5. Save your entries.