Online Messages

Online messages inform the operator that an error or discrepancy has occurred in an online conversation.  The system highlights the field in error and displays a descriptive message on the screen.  For example, if the operator enters a customer number that is not on the customer file, a "NOT FOUND"  message would be displayed.  Warning messages inform operators that potentially incorrect information has been entered.  For example, if during the Sales Order Maintenance (order entry) conversation a line item fails to meet the gross margin test, a "GROSS MARGIN" warning message is displayed.

The descriptive error messages that are displayed to the operator depend on the conversation and stage of data entry. 

Online processing critical and warning error messages are displayed in all Order Processing conversations.

Considerations

A field containing a critical error will be highlighted and must be corrected before processing can continue.  On a screen, the only options available if an error cannot be corrected are to press the "Cancel Order" command key, which cancels the entire conversation, or to press the "Rekey Data" command key, which redisplays the same screen with its original content.

Warning messages indicate possible error conditions.  While processing can continue, these messages alert the operator that incorrect information may have been entered.  Depending on the warning, the operator may want to reconfirm the entry by checking the origin of the data, or cancel the conversation until the entry can be verified.  For example, if a "GROSS MARGIN" warning message appears, the operator may want to check with the salesperson to verify that the correct price was entered.  If the operator chooses to ignore a warning, the exception condition will be noted on the transaction register report and the appropriate exception report.  All line parts that have had warning errors written are flagged with an asterisk (*) in the "select" field on the recap screen.