OEM Codes: Single-Level Setup

This process is used when you define OEM codes in M3. OEM codes are codes that equipment dealers or service providers must report back to their OEMs following work on their equipment. OEM codes are known by other names depending on the OEM (e.g. SMCS codes - Service Management Control System codes).

Limitations

Ten OEM codes can be defined for each product/service. Each OEM code can have a maximum length of 15 characters. However, if OEM codes should be the service ID, the service ID may not exceed 20 characters.

Workflow

The basic data setup for OEM codes requires that you define the following: one or more numbering systems in 'Standard Number System. Open' (CRS247); one or more levels for each numbering system in 'Standard Number System Level. Open' (CRS248); and the valid OEM codes in 'Standard Numbering ID. Open' (CRS249). This section describes two variants that can be used:

  • A configuration where one standard numbering system represents one OEM code
  • A multi-level configuration where one standard numbering system represents multiple OEM codes.

In addition to this, you must link the numbering system to a product or a generic product in in 'OEM Code Connect Numbering System' (MOS986).

You can define a maximum of ten separate OEM codes. In the example below, we plan to use numbering system 1 to contain a valid list of Component Codes, numbering system 2 to hold a valid list of Job Codes, and so on.

Before you start

You must set up the basic data, including defining the structured numbering systems and linking these systems to the OEM code for the correct look-up in 'OEM Code Connect Numbering System' (MOS986).

Follow These Steps

  1. Open 'Standard Numbering System. Open' (CRS247) and enter the numbering system you want to create, such as "1". Select option 1=Create.

  2. On panel E, enter a description, such as "Component Code", deselect 'Significance' and leave 'Level logic' blank. Click Enter.

  3. Define the numbering system levels in (CRS248). (Open related option 11 from CRS247.) In a single level, only one level will exist.

  4. Enter the level you want to create, such as "1", and click Enter to access panel E in (CRS248).

  5. Enter the description and name, and start and ending position for the code. If only four characters are allowed, enter 1-4, and deselect 'Check Item file'. If a single range can be defined for the code, enter the start and ending value for the range; otherwise, each separate value must be defined in next level in the numbering system, 'Standard Numbering ID' (CRS249). It is important to note that the contents of the Name field will be used as text labels for the OEM code label when the OEM codes are displayed.

  6. If a range was not entered in the level, continue to enter the discrete valid codes for the level by selection option 11 from (CRS248) to access 'Standard Numbering ID' (CRS249). If you intend to define a valid list of codes to go with this level, then the range from and to must be blank. If they are not, the solution will allow codes to be entered that are not defined in the (CRS249) list.

  7. In (CRS249), enter the specific value you want to create for the level, such as "1000", and click Enter to access panel E in (CRS249).

  8. Enter the description and name for the code.

    Note:  The Name field will be used within the OEM code process to populate the work request and work order text lines.

  9. Continue with all other valid values for the level. When you are finished, start defining the next level by returning to panel E in (CRS248).

  10. When all levels and codes are defined for the first numbering system, continue with the next numbering system used for next OEM code. Open 'Standard Numbering System. Open' (CRS247) and start over the process described here.

  11. When all numbering systems are defined for each OEM code, continue the basic data setup by linking the standard numbering systems to the various OEM codes. This is done in 'OEM Code Connect Numbering System. Open' (MOS986).

  12. Open (MOS986) and enter the definition first for the generic/blank product by clicking Create, without enter any value in the 'Item number' field.

  13. On panel E, attach each of the 10 OEM codes used to each numbering system, and in this case all to level 1 since only this is used. If the option 'Confirm with Enter' is set, then pushing an extra Enter key is required to confirm the OEM panel whenever it is displayed. This allows you to check the description before the record is saved.

Outcome

The OEM code definition is now ready to use in system in the service definition process and in the work order process.

For many companies, it will be sufficient to configure the OEM codes for a blank item number; which means that the OEM codes will be displayed for every product. However, companies that work with multiple OEMs might need to configure their codes by item number. The solution will always use the blank item number unless one is specifically configured for an item.

The OEM codes can be maintained from a new panel (J in most cases unless J was already used) available in the functions listed in the introduction of this document.

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