Defining Step Numbers for a Routing

You can define step numbers for a routing using Routing Maintenance. Routing steps are merged to a work order automatically when the routing is assigned. Step numbers can also be defined directly for a work order on the Work Order Entry Operations tab. When transactions are entered against a work order, you can record unplanned operations or operations performed at a different work center; however, you must still define at least one planned step for a work order.

If the Bill of Materials module is installed, you can assign a routing number to a bill and a step number to each component item of a bill. The step number indicates when a component item is used during the manufacturing process. You can also assign a step number to an option bill and an option interaction to indicate when material associated with an option or an option interaction is used.

A step number is a four-digit, zero-filled number. When entering a new step number in Routing Maintenance or Work Order Entry, you can increment the next number automatically by clicking the Next Number icon. The step number is incremented by the value specified in the Automatically Increment Steps By field in the Work Order Options window. If the step number represented by the next incremented value already exists, the difference between the current step number and the next value is divided by two.

If you are entering the first step number for a new routing, clicking the Next Number icon in the Step Number field on the Work Order Entry Operations tab inserts step number 0000 automatically.

For more information, see Steps and Substeps.