Using the Generate stock order option described in the previous section, it is possible to generate individual stock orders for certain re-order categories and or analysis codes, in order to facilitate the editing of them. For example, where re-order category A represents very fast moving goods, re-order category Brepresents medium moving lines, and re-order category Crepresents slow moving lines, the category A lines may need little or no checking, whereas the category C lines would require careful vetting, with the category B lines falling somewhere between the other two in respect of checking.
In order to facilitate this task, it may be advantageous to generate individual orders for each category, and in this way each individual order can be treated according to its needs. These multiple orders may not however be acceptable for transmission to the manufacturer or supplier, as they will very often only accept one stock order number per submission cycle. The option to Merge purchase orders can therefore be used to convert these individual orders back into one single order. The destination order number must already exist and must be allocated to the same supplier account as the other orders that are to be merged into it, as in the previous example, the first and second orders could be merged onto the third one, or all three orders could be merged onto a fourth new order.
In this way, the situation where a manufacturer dictates a particular order number to be used for each submission can be overcome. The order header for the eventual submission can be created manually using the Purchase control, File, Header routine, quoting the order number to be allocated. The system-generated orders can then be merged onto this header. There is no limit to how many orders can be merged together subject to them being for the same supplier and having the same order status.
To access the Merge purchase orders form:
The PURCHASE CONTROL Menu is displayed.
The Merge purchase orders form is displayed.
The Merge purchase orders form is displayed when you take the Merge purchase orders option from the PURCHASE CONTROL Menu.
Merge orders: Select the order number(s) to be merged from the list within the 'Merge orders' option.
The Merge orders list displays the following information to help you select the correct orders to be merged:
Order number.
Supplier account number.
Order status.
Into order: Enter the destination order number into which the previously entered orders will be merged (ie the order number you wish to submit).
Tip: There is a search option available activated by clicking the Ellipsis button
.
The following information is displayed when the search is invoked for all the listed/selected suppliers:
Account number.
Order number (in date sequence by supplier).
Date order raised.
Current status of the Purchase Order Header.
When the into order number has been entered the Merge button is made available.
PUSH BUTTONS:
Exit: Returns you to the Purchase Control main menu.
Help: Displays help on the current application in your default company browser.
Merge: Merges the contents of the selected orders together on the destination order number. The source order number(s) involved in any merging will have been deleted and all stock records updated to reflect the new order number situation. The only evidence of the old order number will be found in the WIP/PO field on the Purchase Order Header form.
