Orders FAQ

Is there a specific flow to follow when setting up an Order?

Yes. The correct flow should be Customer, then Configuration, then Order Specification. An Order Specification cannot be approved without a Configuration, and a Configuration cannot be approved without a Customer, so it is much easier if you start with the Customer.

What is the difference between a Configuration and an Order Specification?

A Configuration identifies the soft items for the product, as in what software or firmware features are contained within. An Order Specification identifies the hardware items, as in what is going to be built. Every Order Specification must have an associated Configuration, but a Configuration does not need to have an Order Specification associated with it in the system.

I am creating an Order Specification and the Configuration I want to associate it to is not displaying in the drop-down menu. Why?

There could be a few reasons, but first, check that you have saved the information on the Stock Number tab in the Order Specification. Some Order Specifications have to have the same meter size specified as the Configuration, so the available Configurations will not display until you have specified the meter size and saved the Order Specification. Another item to check is the Customer Number. If the Configuration you are looking for is tied to a different Customer than the Order Specification that you are setting up, the Configuration will not display.

I have the correct Customer Name but I cannot find the right Configuration or Order Specification. Why?

If a Configuration is not displaying, and you know it is in the system, then it is likely assigned to a different Customer Profile. If your Customer orders more than one product, a Customer Profile has to be set up for each product. So, for example, if your Customer orders ally meters and Stratus meters, then you must have two Customer Profiles for that customer; one for ally and one for Stratus. Check the Customer number to match up the correct Customer Profile.

What is an "active" Order Specification?

An active order specification is one that is either Awaiting First Article (electric only) or Production Ready.

I received an error message stating that I cannot edit a Configuration because it is associated with at least one active Order Specification. What does this mean?

If a Configuration is associated with an Order Specification that is active, it cannot be edited. After an Order is ready to be sent to manufacturing, the system considers it final and all associated Configurations as final. If a Configuration at this point was editable, it could be changed in the midst of manufacturing, thus causing inconsistency in the order.

I need to edit a Configuration that is associated with an active Order Specification. What do I do?

If you must edit a Configuration that is associated with an active Order Specification, you need to reject the Order Specification and reject the Configuration, make your changes, then go through the approval process again. Follow these steps:

From the Primary Info tab of the Configuration you want to edit, scroll to the list of associated Order Specifications, highlight the Order Spec, and double-click the highlighted line to go the Order Specification.
Using the disapprove icon , reject the Order Specification, and state why you are rejecting it. The status of the Order Specification will change from Production Ready to Created.
Go back to the Configuration you want to edit, and using the disapprove icon, reject the Configuration. The status of the Configuration will change from Production Ready to Created.
Make the edits to the Configuration, then approve the Configuration.
After the Configuration is approved, go back to the associated Order Specification and approve it.