Creating a sequential number definition

On the Manage Sequential Numbers page, you can create, edit, reset, copy, and delete sequential number definitions. Sequential number definitions control the automatic numbering of master shipments that are processed in the Shipping area.

To create a sequential number definition:

  1. To change the default accounting entity, click the accounting entity on the top bar. Select the accounting entity for which you create the sequential number definition from the dialog box and click OK.
    If you select Unassigned, the sequential number definition is valid for all accounting entities of a tenant. For each user, one or more accounting entities can be configured in the security administration. For a specific user, you must set one of these accounting entities as default accounting entity.
  2. Select Administrative Functions > Manage Sequential Numbers.
  3. Click Create.
  4. Specify this information:
    Sequential Number Class
    Select a number class from the drop-down list. A number class represents the connection between the application and the sequential number definition. The numbering service evaluates the number class and the hierarchy information. With this information the service determines the best matching sequential number definition, which is used to create the next number.
    Accounting Entity
    Displays the accounting entity that you selected before. This accounting entity level is used to create the master shipments numbers.
    Description
    Specify a description of the sequential number definition.
    Minimum Value
    Specify the starting value of the number range. If an overflow is activated and the current value reaches the maximum or threshold value, an alert message is raised. The numbering starts again with the minimum value.
    Maximum Value
    Specify the maximum value of the number range. If an overflow check is activated and the current value reaches the maximum or threshold value, an alert message is raised. The numbering starts again with the minimum value.
    Prefix
    Specify the text that is added as prefix to the generated numbers.
    Suffix
    Specify the text that is added as suffix to the generated numbers.
    Trading Partner
    Select a trading partner for which the sequential number definition is valid from the drop-down list.
    Customer
    The field contains an arbitrary set of characters that is used to uniquely identify a customer in an accounting entity. Click the Lookup button of the field. In the dialog box, select a customer for which the sequential number definition is valid from the list.
    Ship To
    Click the Lookup button of the field. Select the ship to location of the customer from the dialog box. The ship to locations that are displayed in the Ship To Master Data dialog box are valid for the selected customer.
    Effective from Date
    Specify the first day on which the sequential number definition is valid. The settings are valid until the Effective to Date.
    Effective to Date
    Specify the last day on which the sequential number definition is valid. The settings are valid from the Effective from Date.
    Pattern

    Specify the pattern that is used to set the length and format of the generated sequential numbers:

    • Use # to set only the digits.
    • Use 0 to set leading zeros.

    Example:

    • ###### = numbers from 1 to 999999
    • 000000 = numbers from 000001 to 999999
    Overflow Behavior
    Select the overflow behavior from the drop-down list. This field activates or deactivates the overflow check:
    • Alert and Continue: Check overflow if the current value reaches the maximum value or threshold value. If an overflow happens, an alert message is raised. The numbering starts again with the minimum value. This is the default setting.
    • Blank: No overflow check is performed.
    Warning Threshold Value
    Define a threshold value that raises an alert message if the current number reaches this value and the overflow check is activated.
    Warning Interval Value
    Define the optional interval value to raise an alert message. For example, specify every 100 numbers when the current value reaches the threshold value.
  5. To save the sequential number definition, click Save.
    A notification displays that the sequential number definition has been saved successfully.