Automatic faxing of Quality Certificates

[Hawkins, Glen E]

I want to start by saying that I understand your need to create "send a
workitem to the appropriate user depending on the error". I have a similar
need.  I am just getting started in workflow, so I don't have anything
working yet. I have lots of experience with COA output determination,
faxing, printing, etc.  In this note I can share with you the paths that I
am planning to take on this issue:
 
1) No profile assigned
 
It is my understanding that CA-Message control can initiate a workflow every
time a particular error occurs in the system.  This will not work in my case
because there are times when this is a valid error and no one wants to know
about it.  Additionally, since COAs are generated for goods issue at the
delivery item level(business object=LIPS), you might be able to initiate a
work flow based on the delivery item.  Thirdly, output determination also
allows as its mediums (9=events and T=task).  This is useful if you can
narrow down the places you are expecting to get "no profile assigned" by
creating a default at the lowest level in the key hierarchy.
 
 
2) Missing test results - COA gets faxed with the missing result but we
would like to prevent this from happening.  This could be done by checking
the  'Characteristic Required' box in the certificate profile.  The client
is reluctant, however, to do this.
 
We use the "'Characteristic Required' box in the certificate profile"
extensively for this.  In some cases, we force premature failures using the
required characteristic, and reprocess them until the lab completes the
sample results.
 
3) Out of spec results
 
We have developed additional functionality to allow users the flexibility to
stop the generation of the document much like the "'Characteristic Required'
box in the certificate profile".  We have also developed additional
functionality to allow the user to annotate the document if the value is out
of specification with a pre-determined comment.
 
This is another case where I would like to "send a workitem to the
appropriate user depending on the error", but only if didn't have a
pre-determined annotation setup.
 
4) Missing fax details
 
I wasn't sure what "missing" information you were experiencing here.  I can
think of at least 2 cases:
 
*Missing recipient information*
This is a case where no output type doesn't show in error.  In fact, it
doesn't propose the document because the system determined that the
recipient didn't have a fax number.  This may eliminate CA-MESSAGE control
as an option is this case.  We use standard SAP functionality to determine
our fax contacts.  This allows custom contacts as well as SAP user contacts.
 
 
*Incorrect fax details*
 
We use DAZEL to print and fax out documents because it provides document
tracking and some error detection. The user can determine if they want to
notified on failure or both failure and success. We have functionality to
direct OUTLOOK message to the appropriate person when DAZEL determine the
status.
 
I hope this helps.
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: HILTON, Jill [mailto:Jill_HILTON at Montellna.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2001 2:23 PM
To: SAP-WUG at mitvma.mit.edu
Subject: Automatic faxing of Quality Certificates
 
 
We are configuring our system to automatically fax the Certificate of
Analysis (Quality Certificate) at Post Goods Issue.  However, this raises a
number of issues:
 
1) No profile assigned
2) Missing test results - COA gets faxed with the missing result but we
would like to prevent this from happening.  This could be done by checking
the  'Characteristic Required' box in the certificate profile.  The client
is reluctant, however, to do this.
3) Out of spec results
4) Missing fax details
to name a few
 
How are these errors (exceptions) being handled by other companies.  We
would like to implement a workflow to send a workitem to the appropriate
user depending on the error.  Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thank you in anticipation.
Jill
 
-----Original Message-----
From: HILTON, Jill [mailto:Jill_HILTON at Montellna.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2001 2:23 PM
To: SAP-WUG at mitvma.mit.edu
Subject: Automatic faxing of Quality Certificates
 
 
We are configuring our system to automatically fax the Certificate of
Analysis (Quality Certificate) at Post Goods Issue.  However, this raises a
number of issues:
 
1) No profile assigned
2) Missing test results - COA gets faxed with the missing result but we
would like to prevent this from happening.  This could be done by checking
the  'Characteristic Required' box in the certificate profile.  The client
is reluctant, however, to do this.
3) Out of spec results
4) Missing fax details
to name a few
 
How are these errors (exceptions) being handled by other companies.  We
would like to implement a workflow to send a workitem to the appropriate
user depending on the error.  Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thank you in anticipation.
Jill