While the release of Systems Integrator product “v20” is pending, we thought it would be a good idea to touch on one of the newly released features from last year.
The Quantity based project has brought one of the most long sought after modifications to our existing “Layout” structure by placing a quantity representation in the item list within the SI project. This has given our users greater clarity and understanding of their bill of materials at just a glance. But, there’s definitely some need for further examination of this to gain better clarity on the benefits.
The “Quantity based project”
Preface:
In previous versions of SI, there was a view that would present an aggregated quantity.
This was (and still is) called a “View” of the Item Summary and was limited to certain, very specific data fields within the Project.
This “View” can be accessed via the “icon” in the top left corner of your Project “ribbon”:
While this is great data, it is not all of the data that is available in the “Items” Layout in the project. Hence the need to bring the “quantity” presentation into the default project “Layout”.
What exactly is the “Quantity based Project”?
It is the application, in a new SI Project, that plots the total project aggregated quantity of all similar items into the actual line item row.
The great thing about this execution is that you can simply update your overall quantity for any item in the very line item presentation for your Bill of Materials (BOM):
Once you’ve entered that update the total quantity and pricing will change as well:
Why does this matter?
This type of presentation (now available in SI projects) will allow users to access all Layout data fields while at the same time keeping an eye on that individual item and total item quantity presentation.
Some of you probably noticed that the usual presentation of multiple line items for quantities greater than (1) is now consolidated into a single-line appearance. In past versions of SI, where quantities were extremely high, this then could lead to a long list of individual items being presented in the items list within the Project.
Further, some of us longtime SI users figured out ways around this by structuring Location or Sub-location values to allow for long lists of items that would be collapsed into a single line value. This lacked any quantity designation in the line item itself. Others preferred to place high quantity items into a “Package” so that the Package presentation could then be collapsed in the Project items view. While creative, both of these techniques are now somewhat obsolete as the “Quantity based project” supersedes the need for such “workarounds”.
In order to use this feature, you will need to enable your “Project Rules” to allow for this “quantity based” application. This is done in either in the Control Panel or in the “Settings” section of the Project Explorer.
Once there, you’ll see this option:
Simply check this box above here and you’re “off and running”!
Bonus Tip
By default, this designation will apply to your Purchase Orders and work order Tasks. Meaning, if your Projects are “Quantity” based (the new setting) and not “Unit” based (traditional setting), they will populate to those other areas of SI accordingly.
An example would be, if you have more than (1) of any item and you want them on a PO, all of those items would need to be added to the PO at the same time since it would be a “single-line item” presentation from the Project. The same usage scenario also applies to work order “Tasks”.
But, what if you’re not ordering or deploying them all together? Then we (of course) have “got you covered”. We call it a “Convert to Quantity of 1” execution.
You simply need to convert those “quantities” to a “unit based” value and you’ll have access to each independent item to then update per your PO (shipping/receiving) and work order “Task” needs.
“What about scenarios when I’m not ordering all or individual amounts at the same time. Can I “convert” a custom “Quantity” amount?”
Glad you asked. The answer is – YES!
Here you will simply need to execute a “Custom Conversion” to select the desired quantity to be “converted” from the quantity designation to the unit-based variety.
The last scenario for consideration on this “Quantity” based project “conversion” is when do you actually do this? This can be done at any time necessary or it could be “automated” to occur upon project Approval”. Again, this is a setting in the “Project Rules” section of the Control Panel.
This selection is essentially “timed” with your need to then move items to PO and eventually onto your work order Tasks for field deployment. And with the ever evolving challenges of today’s supply chain, this is not only practical but also necessary.
As it turns out, the timing of this new “Quantity” based feature was just what the market needed so that teams can now have the best flexibility when ordering and deploying in “bulk” (or individually) while keeping your quotation process as streamlined as possible.
So, while we eagerly await the upcoming release of SI’s “v20”, we hope you appreciated this “revisiting” of one of our more recent and poignant user enhancements.
In closing…
For more information on these and other features of SI v19, please see this link: D-Tools v19. You can also review our other videos and our usual support documentation.
You can also get more detailed information about v19 via our upcoming webinars and by enrolling in SI training with our PSG team.
And don’t forget, that’s why we are here…to ensure your success with our product! Be sure to check back here next month for more on SI’s v19 (or v20)!!!