Important points before configuring interfaces

You should consider these points before configuring any of the three standard M3 PWB interface technologies:
  • Order status: The value must be between 1 to 80.
  • Order group and color group: This is used to control the order list selections and colors that are used in the Scheduling Boards and Load profiles.
  • Network priority: During order input or local order generation, a network priority is assigned to individual orders in the network. Normally, you should maintain the network priority in M3 PWB. When using local order generation, the priority that is defined in the ITEM file is transferred as a network priority.
  • This is stored in the central system for use in other complete order transfers.
  • This is transferred from the central system along with the order transfer.
  • Co-sorting key: This is a 20-character field that is used to control the sorting and calculation of setup and changeover times during sequencing.
  • Sequencing status: You can modify the sequencing status on operations in M3 PWB, especially in these cases:
    • Status 15: Both sequence locking and timestamp fields are used to define the sequence.
    • Status 20: Fixed locking status. The timestamp controls the start of the operation to assure that new order transfers do not destroy existing information you must store planning status codes and associated timestamp information in special fields in the central database and upload them from M3 PWB.
  • M3 PWB order number: When M3 PWB generates a manufacturing order locally with one level MRP, it gets a unique identification ITEM number combined with an M3 PWB order number.
  • M3 PWB assigns each ITEM a field based on the highest order number it has generated so far. This number increases by 1 for each order generated. When the generated orders have been uploaded to the central system, you can insert a new order number. You can also subsequently download the orders to M3 PWB again. The order number in M3 PWB is temporary until a new order number is inserted by the central system.
  • Due date and release date: When you extract order data, you can insert a time and date option.
  • Delivery date for purchased orders: You can transfer the planned delivery date for purchased items from the central system. The delivery date can include the expected delivery times and time for various acceptance procedures (inter lead-time). The availability date for purchased materials is used by the synchronization function in M3 PWB.
  • Order time stamp: The time stamp records the time at which the order was first generated or last modified and stores it in the central system. You can select orders based on this time stamp. M3 PWB automatically inserts it into the local order generation procedure.
  • Release date: When orders are transferred from the central system and no release date is defined, M3 PWB uses the planned start date from the last upload to the central system as the earliest start date assigned to the order.
  • Synchronization. This function generates:
    • A demand date for planned deliveries of purchased items. This date is inserted in the demand record for the purchased material.
    • The component order number for the manufactured item that meets the demand is inserted in the material link to the parent order.