Information Systems:Monitor Pick List Numbers

Pick List Numbers - estimated to Wrap in 2018

We started in 2005 with pick list number 5000000. In July 2013, we reached 8999999 and went back to 3000001. WE WILL HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN WE REACH 5000000 AGAIN.

Note - March 9, 2016 - picks list beginning with '5' were removed (using program PURGE05A). This gives another 2.5 to 3 years. March 16, 2016 - removed pick lists starting with '6' and '7'.

Note that we cannot use pick list numbers starting with '1' or '2'. Normally, a shipment number is pick list number appended with the three digit box number. For a special box label, the shipment number is partner number appended with the 'day' part of the Julian date, and 2 digit sequential number from file CVUSDAP (CVU -- Customer/Vendor User Data Items), element 'WAYBILL#'. These numbers must not duplicate.

Here are the pick list numbers, and count, for each year. The count has gone down over the last couple of years; we have used order minimums to make customers submit fewer but larger orders, and have encouraged shareholders to do the same thing.

year    starting      ending    starting      ending       used
2005     5000306     5387235                             386,390
2006     5387236     5803474                             416,239
2007     5803475     6232140                             428,666
2008     6232141     6710591                             478,451
2009     6710592     7225729                             515,138
2010     7225730     7739607                             513,878
2011     7739608     8235828                             496,221
2012     8235829     8754526                             518,698
2013     8754527     8999999     3000001     3203810     449,283
2014     3203811     3568043                             364,233
--Switched to invoice/dispatch date--
2015     3565975     3903749                             337,774
2016     3903749     4233161                             329,411
2017     4233162     4560274                             327,112
2018     4560275     4880998                             320,723
2019     4880999     5001768 

The sales order detail file (SROORSPL) has pick list number on it, and has a logical file using it. Before pick list numbers wrap, we will have to start clearing this field. Note that just the field should be cleared; the record should be left in the file.

Custom files PLDETL, and UXSDOCP will have to be archived and purged.

The shipment archive file (ATLARCHP) wasn't created until 2010, but will have to be purged when pick list numbers approach 7550000 again.

I don't know what effect this will have on ASW, or what other files could be involved. (2016Feb) Protelo has looked into the changes IBS made in later versions to deal with this, and had identified three programs -

DMR330      Pick list confirmation
WMR910      Location confirmation - List (Pick/Rec)
WMR960      Create pick suggestion

I've found more without looking very hard -

DMR307   reads by pick list number to find the lowest unused line number.
MDR344   (modification) reads by pick list to find if price tickets will be needed for any items on the invoice
NCRUP001 selects items to include on narcotic control form
RFHR512  (modification) only selects form PLDETLP if first pick list line in sales order file is status 30
etc
etc

It's starting to seem like the only option is to purge old pick list numbers from the sales order line file...

In order to monitor the process, get the current invoice number (series 2) from the Number Series Table, and periodically add it to this document.

2015 Dec 16     3890843
2016 Mar  1     3957647    66804 used in 2.5 months.  At this rate, 39 months left (May 2019).

Purge Pick List Numbers

Go to Unity / Start uniPharm Extensions / VA Company (Production) / Work with UWD IT Tools / Purge Pick List Numbers.

This will call command PURGEPICK, which will prompt for the leading digit of the range of numbers to be purged, then will call RPG program PURGE05A.

The files purged will be -

SROORSPL (sales order lines)      - clear pick list number and line number
PLDETL   (pick list into)         - delete records                             
ATLARCHP (Atlas shipment archive) - delete records                   
UXSDOCP  (documents)              - delete records

Before purging, the records that will be deleted are added to files PLDETLPURG, ATLARCHPRG, and UXSDOCPURG. Records can therefore be added back to the original file if necessary.