This topic explains the role and operation of the enquiries option on the AR Reports & Enquiries Menu.
You can use this option to make Asset Register enquiries in everyday language, and output the results on screen or on a printout.
There may be occasions when you wish to search through the Asset Register, not for information on a particular asset, but to determine how many, if any, assets meet certain criteria. The Ad-hoc enquiries program allows you to make such enquiries, using everyday words.
When inputting queries using the Ad-hoc enquiries, it is important to remember that Autoline has only a limited vocabulary of English words and will not 'understand' words not included in it. It is essential, therefore, that you phrase your queries carefully, using only words which the Ad-hoc enquiries program understands.
The type of words that the system will recognize and to which it will respond fall into the following three categories:
Command Words: These are instructions to Autoline, telling it to perform particular tasks with the specified relation words and data field names. These command words can be accessed using either of the buttons Verbs or Commands. These both display lists of command words click on a word to select it. Click on the Verbs button to list the main commands. Click on the Commands push button to include commands used in relation to date display and key path usage.
Data Field Names: These are the names of the data fields by which you wish to select account information; for example Asset Item, Description, Initial Cost and so forth. If you click on the Fields button you will see the list of all the fields available. Double click on a field to add it to your query. You can choose more than one field at a time.
Relation Words: These are words that define the relation
between data fields and the information stored within them. Examples
of relation words include Less Than, Equal To or Contained In. Click
on the If button to help construct a relation.Using the
and the
buttons will aid the search, and construction of a relation.
All this may appear rather complex; but Ad-hoc Enquiries is of its nature both easy to learn and easy to use. Its operation is better understood by use rather than instruction. You should experiment with the Ad-hoc enquiries option until you master it.
Tip: You cannot alter the content of any Asset Records by using the Ad-hoc enquiries program.
You may obtain full details on using this program, including a list of all the key words, by clicking on the Ad-hoc enquiries option from the AR Reports & Enquiries Menu and then clicking the Help button at the bottom of the screen.
On inputting your query, click the Check Query button. This will allow Autoline to interpret what you have typed. If it is satisfied then the Proceed button will become available. Click on the Proceed button and what the computer interprets will be displayed in the Execute query box.
If your query is not accepted a box appears asking you whether you wish to Resume or View-errors. If you wish to formulate your query again it is best to make it simpler.
The Ad-hoc enquiries program enables you to make Asset Register enquiries in everyday language. To use the Ad-hoc enquiries option formulate your questions such that they contain only words recognised by Autoline. Use the Help button at the bottom of the screen to obtain guidance on operating the program. You may also print out the help screens.
