Using Spares Logistics

This chapter covers the following topics:

Overview: Parts Search and Ordering

The Parts Search and Ordering functionality enables the technician, dispatcher or other field service user to create a parts requirement, search for available parts in the field service supply chain, select the closest or most cost effective source and generate an order for the parts that are found. The Parts Requirement page is used to define the parts required for the task.

Note: If Oracle Endeca is installed and licensed in your environment, then refer to the Oracle E-Business Suite Information Discovery Integration and System Administration Guide for detailed information about the Endeca enhancements to your product.

The process is referred to as Forward Logistics or sending the parts to the technician. You can use the Parts Search and Ordering module to:

Calculating Schedule Ship Dates for Parts

To address the requirements of a task or technician, Spares Management interfaces with Order Management to create internal sales orders. The schedule ship dates are calculated for spare parts on basis of the following lists of date and time fields passed from Spares Management to Order Management APIs to create orders:

Order Management Order Line Fields Values Passed from Spares Management
Request Date Time Need By Date Time of the Parts Requirement
Promise Date Time Spares Arrival Date and Time calculated by Spares Sourcing engine
Schedule Ship Date Time For Forward Scheduling: Current Date Time calculated by Spares Management
For Backward Scheduling: Latest Arrival Date minus lead time of Calendar of Warehouse or Shipping Method (including non working days setup in Calendar). When both are available, the Shipping method calendar takes precedence over the Warehouse calendar.
Schedule Arrival Date Time Spares Arrival Date and Time as calculated by Spares Sourcing engine

Spares Management provides the option to forward schedule parts orders by calculating the ship date as the current date, as well as back schedule parts orders by calculating the ship date on basis of the Need by Date/Time. Forward or Backward Scheduling depends on the profile CSP: Calculate Latest Ship Date Time based on Need by Date Time.

Using Lead Time to Calculate Schedule Ship/Arrival Date Time

Lead Time is used to calculate Arrival Date or Ship Date based on the profile CSP: Calculate Latest Ship Date Time based on Need by Date Time. Spares Management provides the option to configure lead time calculation using the profile CSP: Total Lead Time as explained below:

The total lead time value is used to calculate either Arrival Date Time or Schedule Ship Date Time depending on the value selected for the profile CSP: Calculate Latest Ship Date Time based on Need by Date Time:

Forward Scheduling

Forward scheduling is when the Schedule Ship Date Time is always the current date and time. Forward Scheduling is used when internal orders are created using Manual Source selection, Parts Search, Scheduling Task with Parts, Charges, and Spares API.

Forward Scheduling Formula:

Arrival Date Time = (Spares Ship Date + Lead time) : Delivery Time, wherein:

Based on the formula for Forward scheduling, the following table describes how the Schedule Ship date is calculated assuming that all ship methods explained below work Monday to Friday, that Delivery Time is set as 17:00, the Cut off time for ship methods is 14:00 and the Need by Date is Friday 23 December 2015 10:00:00:

Ship Method Lead Time Current Date Time Ship Date Time Arrival Date Time
Example A 1 Day Monday 14 Dec 2015 10:00:00 Monday 14th Dec 2015 10:00:00 = (14 Dec 2015 10:00:00 + 1 Day ): 17:00.00
= Tuesday 15 Dec 2015 17:00:00
Example B 2 Days Monday 14 Dec 2015 10:00:00 Monday 14th Dec 2015 10:00:00 Wednesday 16th Dec 2015 17:00:00

As Forward Scheduling calculates the ship date as the current date, it may cause parts to be shipped too early if the need by date is a much later date. In this case, the option is provided to use Backward Scheduling.

Backward Scheduling

Backward Scheduling calculates the Schedule Ship Date Time as the latest time by which the parts have to be shipped to reach the destination before Need by Date Time. This ensures that the parts are shipped to arrive closer to the Need by Date, as the Schedule Ship date is calculated backwards from the given Need by Date. Backward scheduling is used when internal orders are created from the Parts Requirement UI, Charges, Spares API, and Scheduler.

To enable Backward Scheduling use the profile option: CSP: Calculate Latest Ship Date Time based on Need by Date Time. This profile can be set at the Site, Application, Responsibility, and User levels to calculate Schedule Ship Date Time for all eligible shipping methods available at Source Inventory Organization. Backward scheduling will be done only when profile is set to Yes.

When the profile CSP: Calculate Latest Ship Date Time based on Need by Date Time is set to Yes, the earliest Arrival Date Time is identified to calculate Ship Date and Time. In the Backward Scheduling method, Arrival Date Time of the parts will be the Latest Delivery Date Time.

Backward Scheduling Formula:

First identifies Arrival Date Time to calculate Ship Date and Time:

<Arrival Date> : <Time> wherein:

Arrival Date Time of the parts is the Latest Delivery Date Time and the formula to arrive at Ship Date and Time is:

<Ship Date>: <Ship Time> wherein:

  Ship Method
(M – F)
08:00 – 17:00
Current Date Time Need by Date Time Latest Delivery Date Time Total Lead Time Schedule Ship Date Time  
            Ship Date Ship Time
Example A Delivery Time = <blank>
Cut off Time = <blank>
Thursday, 14th Jan 2016 15:00 Friday, 5th Feb 2016 15:00 Friday, 5th Feb 2016 15:00 4 Hours = (Friday, 5th Feb 2016 15:00) minus (4 Hours)
= Friday, 5th Feb 2016 11:00
= (Friday, 5th Feb 2016 15:00) minus (4 Hours)
= Friday, 5th Feb 2016 11:00
= 11:00
            Ship Date Time =
Friday, 5th Feb 2016 11:00
 
Example B Delivery Time = 16:00
Cut off Time = 16:00
Thursday, 14th Jan 2016 15:00 Friday, 5th Feb 2016 15:00 Thursday, 4th Feb 2016 16:00 2 Days = (Thursday, 4th Feb 2016 16:00) minus (2 Days)
= Tuesday, 2nd Feb 2016 16:00
= Tuesday, 2nd Feb 2016
= earlier of (Shift end time, Cut off time)
= earlier of (17:00, 16:00)
= 16:00
            Ship Date Time =
Tuesday, 2nd Feb 2016 16:00
 

Note: Total Lead Time = Ship Method Lead Time from Delivery Times user interface + Ship Method In-Transit time value from Transit Times table + Non working days as per Shipping Method Calendar or Stocking Location Calendar.

If Ship Date Time falls before current date time then the ship method will not be used.

Calculate Schedule Ship Date while Scheduling Tasks using Scheduler

Parts orders are also created while scheduling tasks. While searching plan options, the Scheduler passes relevant information to Spares Management to identify sources. Spares then returns sources which can ship parts within the plan end date of the task.

In Forward Scheduling, the schedule ship date is calculated while determining arrival date.

In Backward Scheduling, the arrival date is initially calculated based on the Forward Scheduling technique.

However, when creating orders, Spares Management will check if the Schedule Ship Date can be calculated based on arrival date. This scenario may occur when the task plan dates are in future.

On basis of Arrival Date Time information, Scheduler calculates plan options for eligible technicians before the Task Planned End Date/Time (Latest Start). Once the best plan option is identified either using Interactive or Autonomous Scheduler, Scheduler uses Need by Date Time of the task to schedule the start time of the task to ensure that spare parts can be delivered using Backward Scheduling method.

Key Setups for Parts Search and Ordering

You can define the key prerequisite setups in the Site Attributes tab of the Planner's Desktop to use the Parts Search and Ordering functionality. You can define site parameters that describe the inventory locations in the field service supply chain.

To include an inventory location in the search results of the Parts Search and Ordering functionality you must enter the following parameters in the Site Attributes tab.

To setup site parameters in the Site Attributes tab

  1. Navigate to the Planner's Desktop in the Spares Management Navigator.

  2. In the Spares Planning tree on the left pane, you create and enter multi-level nodes that describe and organize the field service supply chain.

    Note: This tree is seeded and all other nodes you create are added under this tree.

  3. Add inventory locations, sub-inventories or inventory organizations to the Spares Planning tree.

    Note: Larger warehouses are modeled as inventory organizations and technicians are modeled as sub-inventories. Small warehouses are modeled as either sub-inventories or inventory organizations depending on functionality and financial considerations.

  4. Click on an inventory location in the Spares Planning tree and click on the Site Attributes tab.

  5. Enter the following Site Attribute parameters:

    • Select a stocking site type from the list to display in the Parts Search and Ordering search results. Required. Options include: Technician, Manned Warehouse, Unmanned Warehouse or Site Dedicated Spares.

      Note: Site Dedicated Spares (SDS) is an unmanned site that is dedicated to the support a specific customer site. Inventory location in the SDS site appears in the search results for the customer site on the service request that is supported by the Site Dedicated Spares.

    • Enter a Calendar and a Time Zone for a stocking site type entered. The calendar and time zone is used to determine in the search results whether the manned warehouse is open.

      Note: Technician calendar and time zone is entered in the Oracle Resource Management. The calendar and time zone is optional for unmanned warehouses or site dedicated spares.

    • Enter the values for Managed By, Contact and Phone, After Hours Contact, and Phone fields. Optional.

    • Select the Stocking Site Exclusion check box to exclude this inventory location from the search results.

    • Enter any special instructions if applicable. Optional.

    • Select and enter a Geocoded Address for the manned warehouses, unmanned warehouses and site dedicated spares. The geocoded addresses are used to determine travel distances, directions, and times.

      Note: Technician addresses are entered and managed in the Addresses tab of the Addresses and Sub-inventories window.

    • To use the Geocoded Addresses list, you must run the following concurrent program:

      • Responsibility: Trading Community Manager

      • Program: Spatial Information for Locations Batch Update.

    • Enter the Party Sites that an inventory location supports, when the stocking site type is Site Dedicated Spares.

      Note: When a service request is entered for a party site that has Site Dedicated Spares assigned, the search results displays the SDS site, if parts are available at that site.

Finding Parts Requirement

Navigate to the Find Parts Requirement page to search for and find details of a requirement on the basis of criteria like Part Requirement, Task Number, Service Request, Destination Subinventory, Item, Shipment Number, or Task Status and more.

The Find Results region displays information according to your search with details of Requirement Number, Item, Task Number and Status, Order Number and Status, Arrival Date, Source From, Destination, Service Request, Task Type, Task Owner, Resource, and Item Description.

You can export the results using the Export button.

You can also launch the Parts Requirement page to create a new requirement using the Create Requirement button.

Using Parts Search and Ordering

Parts Search and Ordering functionality enables you to:

Prerequisites:

Refer to the Key Setups for Parts Search and Ordering section for more information.

Creating A Parts Requirement

  1. Navigate to the Parts Requirement page from the Spares Management navigator.

  2. Enter a task or a resource in the Requirement Information region:

    • If you enter a task number and a technician is assigned to the task, then the Technician's Name, Ship To address, Destination Organization (usable organization), Sub-Inventory, Need By Date (current date), and Time are entered automatically.

      Note: The technician's default Ship To Address and usable sub-inventory are setup in Resource Addresses and Sub-inventories window.

      The default Ship To Address is determined by the CSP: Parts Requirement Default Ship To Address profile option. The values for this profile option are: Customer, Do not default, Task, Technician, and Third Party. The Ship To Address as determined by the profile will override the technician's default Ship To Address.

    • If you enter a task number and a technician is not assigned to the task, then the Ship To Address is entered automatically based on the CSP: Parts Requirement Default Ship To Address profile option setting. If a default value is not specified for the profile option, then the Ship To Address can be entered manually.

    • If you enter a resource, then you select a Task from the list assigned to a technician. The Ship To address, Destination Organization (usable organization), Sub-Inventory, Need By Date (current date), and Time are entered automatically.

  3. Change the Destination Sub-inventory and Organization if desired from the default value.

  4. Change the Need By Date and Time if desired from the current date and time.

    Note: This header information is used to define the ship-to organization, sub-inventory, address and need by date and time for creating an order or a reservation.

  5. Change the Ship-To address if desired from the default value. Select an address from the list defined by the address type. You can select the Ship To Address Type from the list with the following values:

    • Customer: Displays all ship to addresses associated with the customer.

    • Third Party: Displays ship to addresses of third party locations assigned to the technician.

    • Task: Displays incident address for the task from the Service Request.

    • Technician: Displays all active usable addresses setup in the Addresses tab of the Resource Addresses and Sub-inventories window.

    • Special: Enables creation of a new address that can be added to the list of technician addresses.

  6. Change the Ship-To address if desired from the default value. Select an address from the list defined by the address type.

  7. Select Ship-to Contact from the values.

  8. Enter specific shipping instructions at the header level for the part requirement.

  9. Enter specific packing instructions at the header level for the part requirement.

  10. In the Item Information region, enter the values for Item Required and Quantity fields.

  11. Select the appropriate unit of measure from the list of values in the UOM field.

  12. Click Instructions to enter shipping and packing Instructions for a requirement line. Parts Requirement may have multiple requirement lines resulting in creation of multiple ISOs against the same or different source-shipping methods. Depending upon the configuration/make-up of items, you may require different shipping and packing instructions.

    Shipping and packing instructions can be captured before or after order creation as given below:

    • When no orders are created while saving Parts Requirement, Shipping and Packing Instructions will be stored in the Parts Requirement Lines.

    • When order(s) are created, Shipping and Packing Instructions entered or displayed in the respective fields will be copied to Shipping and Packing Instructions fields in Order Lines. To ensure the instructions are updated, ensure confirmation to Order Management Constraints setups.

    • If Shipping and Packing Instructions are entered or updated after order creation, it would be synchronized with OM Lines table when you click Save.

    • Should the OM not allow updates, an error message displays in the Parts Requirement page.

  13. When you click Instructions, the Requirement Lines Instructions popup displays. Enter specific instructions using the Shipping Instructions and Packing Instructions fields.

    Click Clear in Requirement Lines Instructions to clear information you have entered.

    Click Go to save the instructions you have entered and close Requirement Lines Instructions.

  14. Click the Save/Apply button in the Part Requirement Page to update Order Management with the new instructions.

  15. Click Create Parts Requirement. A message displays stating that the parts requirement has been successfully created.

Copying Parts Requirements

  1. Begin by querying for the part requirement number which you would like to copy.

  2. Click Copy Requirements button in the Parts Requirement page. The requirement lines are copied to a new part requirement number. Use the Requirement Information to add the header details for the new part requirement.

  3. After copying requirement lines, update task or resource information. Note that the Requirement header region will be populated based on task or resource and other fields.

  4. Enter the Need-By-Date and Time. You will have to enter Part Requirement header details to save the part requirement.

  5. In case the requirement lines you are copying have DFF information or shipping and packing instructions, those details will also be copied to the new requirement.

    Note: The following will not be copied to the new requirement lines:

    • Reservation or internal order details

    • Resource or task details

  6. Click Save/Apply to confirm the part requirement.

Searching for Parts Required

  1. Click on the Search Parts button. The Parts Search page appears.

  2. Select the desired search parameters in the Simple Search region and click on the Go button.

    Note: If a technician has setup search parameter preferences in the Oracle Mobile Field Service Wireless application, then these parameters are selected automatically. You can also create and save the search using the Create New Search button.

  3. You can set the following search parameters:

    • My Inventory: To include the search results from the default sub-inventory assigned to a technician.

      Note: Sub-inventories are assigned to the technician in the Sub-inventories tab of the Addresses and Sub-inventories window.

    • Other Working Technicians: To include the search results from the default the sub-inventories of other technicians who are working.

      Note: Calendar and time zone defined in the Oracle Resource Management is used to know if the technician is working. Technicians are defined in the Stocking Site Type field in the Site Attributes tab of the Planner's Desktop.

    • Open Manned Warehouse: To include manned warehouses that are open based on the calendar assigned in the Site Attributes tab of the Planner's Desktop.

      Note: Warehouses are defined as manned or unmanned in the Site Attributes tab of the Planner's Desktop.

    • Unmanned Warehouse: To include search parts from unmanned warehouses.

      Note: Unmanned warehouses are always open and accessible.

    • Include Supersessions and Substitutes: To include parts supersessions and substitutes.

      Note: Supersessions are defined in Spares Management Supersessions page. Substitutes are defined in the Oracle Inventory Item Relationships.

      Attachments are created for the supersessions and substitutes and these attachments are displayed in the Search Results, when substitutes and superseding parts are included in search. See the Supersession and Supersession Notes section for more information.

    • Include Closed Warehouses and Non-working Technicians: To include warehouses and technicians who, per their calendars are displayed as either closed or not working.

    • Use On-hand instead of Available On-hand: To include parts with on-hand greater than zero.

      Note: On-hand Available = On-hand - Reserved orders.

    • Use Excess instead of Available On-hand: To include parts from the excess list.

      Note: Excess = On-hand Available - Maximum.

      The excess list is filtered by business rules that are setup in the Spares Management Business Rules window.

    • Ship Set: To include only those inventory locations in the search results that can supply all of the parts and quantity defined in the parts requirement.

    • Use Current Location: To use the technician's current location as the center point for the search.

      Note: The technician's current location is based on GPS, if connected, or the technician's most recent task location and status if GPS is not being used.

    • Search Distance: Enter a distance value. For example 25 miles or Kilometers.

      Note: The CSF Profile: Default Distance Unit is used to determine whether distance is expressed in miles or kilometers.

      Note: This parameter is used to determine which warehouses and technicians are displayed in the search results based on distance. All technicians and warehouses beyond this distance parameter based on a straight-line calculation are excluded from the search results.

      Note: Site Dedicated Spares (SDS) is used to identify an inventory site that is dedicated to support a customer site. If there is an SDS site setup in the Site Attributes tab for the customer on the service request; then, only the SDS site is displayed in the search results if parts are available. The SDS is not displayed in the search results for any customer site, which is not supported.

Viewing Parts in Search Results

  1. You can view parts search results at the source level:

    Note: The search results displays all inventory locations that match the search parameters selected for a search. The inventory location is setup in the Site Attributes tab of the Planner's Desktop.

    Note: All inventory locations in the search results displays the On-hand Available, the On-hand or excess depending on the search parameters selected.

    • Source Organization and Sub-inventory: Is displayed as either a source organization or a source organization and a sub-inventory. Technicians are modeled as a sub-inventory and warehouses are modeled as either an organization or sub-inventory depending on the size.

    • Click on the Source Organization link to view source organization details.

      • Source Type: Defined in the Site Attributes tab of the Planner's Desktop as Technician, Manned Warehouse, Unmanned Warehouse, or Site Dedicated Spares.

      • Shipping Method: Define the Shipping Methods setup in Shipping Networks for the source and destination organization. The shipping methods are only applicable to manned warehouses. Shipping Methods can also be setup in Transit Times when required to define shipping methods for the region, zone or external location.

      • Cost: The average cost of shipping the parts from the source to the destination. The cost of shipping a single part from the source to the destination is setup in Shipping Networks or Transit Times.

      • Arrival Date and Time: Arrival Date and Time calculation depends on whether Forward or Backward scheduling is preferred. For more information on Forward Scheduling and Backward Scheduling see Calculating Schedule Ship Dates for Parts.

      • Distance: Distance from the source to the destination address as defined in the ship to address in the Part Requirement. This is a straight-line calculation.

    • Click on the Show on Map button to view street level drive times and distances.

Selecting Parts at Source

  1. Click on the Show link to view Item details at the source. You can view the following details:

    • Item Supplied: The Item on the Part Requirement or the superseding or substitute item, if Include Supersession and Substitute parameter is selected.

    • Description: Description of the Item Supplied.

    • Supplied Item Revision: Revision of the Item supplied.

    • Attachments: This icon appears if any notes are defined for the supersession or substitute. Click on the Attachments icon to open the Attachments page.

    • Required Item: Item on the Parts Requirement if the item supplied is a supersession or substitute.

    • Description: Description of the required item.

    • Required Item Revision: Revision of the item required.

    • Quantity Available: Quantity available, quantity on-hand or excess quantity depending on parameters selected.

    • Required Quantity: Quantity required from the Parts Requirement.

Creating an Order

  1. Select the Item and the Source check boxes and click on the Create Order button to create an order. A message displays stating that the order is successfully created.

    Note: The order type that is created depends on the organization relationship between the source and destination.

    The relationship table for order types
    Source Type Source Organization Same as Destination Organization Intransit Order Type
    Technician Yes Not allowed Sub-Inventory Transfer
    Technician No Not allowed Inter-org Transfer
    Manned Warehouse Yes Yes Move Order
    Manned Warehouse Yes No Sub-inventory Transfer
    Manned Warehouse No Yes or No Internal Order
    Unmanned Warehouse Yes Not allowed Sub-inventory Transfer
    Unmanned Warehouse No Not allowed Inter-org Transfer

    Note: A reservation is created to update the on-hand availability for Sub-inventory Transfers and Inter-org Transfers.

  2. Click the Cancel button to exit the Parts Search page and return to the Spares Management navigator.

Creating a Parts Requirement Automatically

In many field service operations, required parts are known for frequently executed tasks. You can create parts requirements automatically when you create a service request for a product by using a task template where parts have been predefined in Oracle Spares Management for that product and Task Template combination. See the Oracle Field Service Implementation Guide for details.

You create task templates and define items associated with products and task templates during Spares Management implementation. For more information on creating a service request and creating tasks using a task template, see the Oracle Field Service User Guide.

You can use the Spares Management Delivery Times to define the delivery times for the methods of shipment at the sub-inventory level along with Inter Location Intransit Time.

Prerequisites

Steps

  1. Navigate to the Service Request window.

    The Service Request window appears.

  2. After you create a basic service request for a product where parts requirements have been defined, navigate to the Tasks tab, and then click the Use Template button to create a task based on the template.

    Note: The product used in the service request and the task template combination must have the required parts predefined in Spares Management Task Parts.

  3. In the Create Tasks from Template Group window, select the Template Group that corresponds to the task template that you want to use.

    The parts requirement for the product and task is automatically created.

  4. Go to the Parts Requirement in Spares Management. Query the parts requirement from the service request or task to view the parts requirement.

Spares Inventory Organization Security using MOAC

Inventory Organization security functionality can be used to restrict users from viewing and transacting data outside their assigned Inventory Organizations. This prevents users from viewing and transacting data across Operating Units and employs data security that limits what Inventory Organization users can setup, view, and transact against. For example, businesses can define what logistic coordinators and technicians from different regions can view or transact from Inventory Organizations outside their region.

Users can use the profile option CSP: Restrict Inventory Organizations by MOAC restrict Inventory Organizations. The table gives details of the profile option:

Profile Name Scope Default Value Values
CSP: Restrict Inventory Organizations by MOAC Site, Application, Responsibility, User No (for backward compatibility) Yes, No

When set to Yes, Inventory Organizations are filtered based on the Organizations that are part of the Operating Units setup in MO: Security Profile.

Inventory Organizations will be restricted in the following Spares Logistics interfaces:

The following table lists the details of the behavior of the fields in Spares Logistics interfaces when Inventory Organization security is enabled:

Spares Logic Interface Field Name Behavior
Planners Desktop (Forms) Organization Will list Inventory Organizations which are part of the Operating Units setup in MO: Security Profile.
  Spares Planning Tree Will list Inventory Organizations and Sub Inventories which are part of the Operating Units setup in MO: Security Profile.
Parts Loop Organization Will list Inventory Organizations which are part of the Operating Units setup in MO: Security Profile.
Addresses and Subinventories Organizations Will list Inventory Organizations which are part of the Operating Units setup in MO: Security Profile.
Parts Transfer Destination Organization In addition to existing validations, Inventory Organizations which are not part of the Operating Units setup in MO: Security Profile are filtered out.
Parts Return Source Organization If no Resource is entered, in addition to existing rule, Inventory Organizations which are not part of the Operating Units setup in MO: Security Profile are filtered out.
If a Resource name is entered, Organization field lists Organizations which are assigned to the Resource in Addresses and Subinventories UI.
  Planning Node Will list Inventory Organizations and Sub Inventories, which are part of the Operating Units setup in MO: Security Profile. Defective and Excess List concurrent programs shall be executed only for the nodes which the user has access.
  Return Organization > Organization Will list Organizations which are setup in Planners Desktop and have shipping network setup from Source Organization and part of the Operating Units setup in MO: Security Profile.
Search Parts Requirement Destination Organization In addition to existing validations, Inventory Organizations which are not part of the Operating Units setup in MO: Security Profile are filtered out.
  Source Organization In addition to existing validations, Inventory Organizations which are not part of the Operating Units setup in MO: Security Profile are filtered out.
  Search results Will display records where Destination/Source Inventory Organizations is part of the Operating Units setup in MO: Security Profile or Operating Unit value of Service Request is setup in MO: Security Profile.
Create Parts Requirement and Order Destination Organization If a resource is not assigned to parts requirement, disable Destination Organization and Subinventory fields.
If resource is assigned to parts requirement display Organizations assigned to the Resource in Resource Addresses and Subinventories UI.
  Source Organization (Manual Parts Ordering) In addition to existing validations, Inventory Organizations which are not part of the Operating Units setup in MO: Security Profile are filtered out.
Search Parts API Source Organization In addition to existing validations, Inventory Organizations which are not part of the Operating Units setup in MO: Security Profile are filtered out.
Field Resource Setup Page   Ability to assign sub inventories to Technicians.
Debrief To Organization In addition to existing validations, Inventory Organizations which are not part of the Operating Units setup in MO: Security Profile are filtered out.

Overview: Parts Return

The Parts Return functionality enables the technician, dispatcher or other field service user to return defective or excess parts to predefined destinations. The destinations are defined for using the Return Routing Rules setup.

Parts Return Routing Rules

The Return Routing module uses business rule parameters that include a source, which is an inventory location, or territory; return type, part category and item. The business rules are used to determine the destination(s) from any point in the supply chain. It is from anywhere to anywhere approach.

A single location in the supply chain that has defective or excess parts to return sends those parts to multiple destinations. Those destinations are repair suppliers for defectives and consolidation points for excess. Other specialized destinations may be required for scrap or Defective on Arrival or DOA.

Excess is defined as available parts, which are in excess of maximum (Max) levels. Spares Management uses a program to define excess parts and business rules are optionally applied to filter the excess list. For defectives, all available quantity is considered to be excess. Max levels are not applied on defective parts.

This process is often referred to as Reverse Logistics or sending the parts back to the supply chain or to the appropriate destination. The main features of the Return Routing Rules module include:

Key Setup for Return Routing Rules

Return Routing Rules are classified as a setup for returning parts to any inventory location in a supply chain.

Creating and Managing Return Routing Rules

The Return Routing Rules are key prerequisite setups for using Parts Return

Note: If Return Routing Rules are not defined, then the routing rules from the customer integration or the default routing rules available in the Sub-Inventories tab of the Address and Sub-inventories window are used.

Creating Return Routing Rules

Steps

  1. Navigate to the Return Routing Rules page from the Spares Management Navigator.

  2. Click on the Create New Rule button. The Create Return Routing Rule popup appears.

  3. In the Create Return Routing Rule popup enter the parameters and destination for a routing rule.

    Note: Routing Rules are generic or specific depending on the needs of the user. The minimum definition of a routing rule is a destination. In this case the source is an inventory location or a territory, return type, category, or item. The specific definition is where the routing rule specifies: source, return type, category or item

  4. Click on the Create button. The new routing rule displays in the Return Routing Rules page.

Searching Existing Return Routing Rules

  1. In Search region of the Return Routing Rules page enter the search criteria and click on the Go button.

Updating Return Routing Rules

  1. View the Routing Rules in the Routing Rules page.

  2. Click on the Update icon for a routing rule. The Update Return Routing Rule popup appears.

  3. Enter changes to the existing routing rule and click on the Update button.

    The updated routing rule is displayed in the Return Routing Rules page.

Duplicating Return Routing Rules

  1. Click on the Duplicate icon to duplicate the existing routing rule. The Duplicate Return Rule popup appears.

  2. Enter changes to the routing rule and click on the Save as New Rule button.

    The duplicate routing rule is displayed in the Return Routing Rules page

Deleting Return Routing Rules

  1. Delete existing routing rules by selecting the Select check box and clicking on the Delete button.

Mass Update Routing Rules

  1. Update the destination for multiple routing rules by selecting the Select check box and clicking on the Update Rules button.

  2. Enter the change in destination, Start Active Date, End Active Date and click on the Update All button.

Exporting Data to Excel Spreadsheet

  1. Click on the Select check box to select the routing rules for export or leave check boxes blank to export all Rules.

  2. Click on the Export Data button. The spreadsheet appears.

  3. To convert spreadsheet to Microsoft Excel format:

    • Save the file to a local disk.

    • Open the file with Oracle Open Office. Make sure, Separator is selected as Comma.

    • Data is displayed in spreadsheet application.

Simulating Routing Rules

Routing rules overlaps when more than one rule is applied to a given set of routing parameters. The purpose of the simulation is to determine, which routing rule applies to a given set of routing parameters. To resolve any overlap or conflict in the routing rules a hierarchy of parameters is applied. The following hierarchy of parameters is used:

For example, a routing rule that is specific to item dominates over a routing rule that is specific to return type.

Steps

  1. Click on the Run as Simulation check box and enter the simulation parameters in the Search region of the Return Routing Rules page. Enter the following simulation parameters:

    • A source type

    • A source

    • A return type

    • An item category or an item

  2. Click on the Go button and the routing rule that matches your simulation parameter appears in the Return Routing Rules page.

Using Parts Return

Parts return process includes the following steps:

Prerequisites:

Refer to the Key Setups for Parts Search and Ordering section for more information.

The Parts Return Process

Steps

  1. Navigate to the Parts Return page from the Spares Management Navigator.

  2. Select the correct planning node and click the Create Excess/Defective List button.

    Note: Excess lists rely on excess rules, which you define during implementation. See the Oracle Field Service Implementation Guide for more information.

    Excess rules apply only to the determination of excess in a usable subinventory or warehouse. For a defective subinventory, all parts are considered excess.

  3. Enter a resource type and resource name or enter a source organization and source subinventory.

  4. If a resource type and a resource name are entered, then select a source organization and source subinventory.

    Note: The technician's subinventories are setup in the Resource Addresses and Sub-inventories window.

    The organization and subinventory are used as the source to create the return order.

  5. Enter an item. Optional. This is used to limit the parts return to a specific item.

  6. Enter a condition. Optional.

    Select either Excess, Defective or Null (both). This is used to limit the source subinventory to a specific condition. The condition of the subinventories is defined in the Addresses and Sub-inventories window.

    Note: Source, Item and Condition are used in combination to limit the item and subinventories or excess or defective that is returned.

  7. Click on the Consolidate checkbox to ship each part individually.

    The Consolidate checkbox is used to determine whether the parts are shipped in one consolidated shipment under one waybill or individually one by one on separate waybills.

  8. Click on the Go button and the Excess / Defective Items table displays the destination summary.

    The Destination Summary region displays a summary of items and quantity for each destination. Change the destination, if required.

  9. Click on the Show link. The Item and Quantity details display in the Destination Summary line.

  10. Click on the Select checkbox to select items that you want to return. Change return quantity as desired.

  11. Enter the following shipping details for a Source line:

    • Carrier

    • Shipping Method

    • Shipment Number (required)

    • Waybill Number

    Note: Serialized parts are displayed with the quantity value as 1. Select the serial number and enter values for Lot, Locator and Revision that is required for parts subject to those controls.

  12. Click on the Return button on the Source line to create an order.

    Refer to the Order Types table in the Using Parts Search and Ordering section to know the order type that is created based on the organization relationship between the source and destination.

Overview: Move Orders

Field service representatives, as well as dispatchers and managers, can process move orders for parts within a single inventory organization.

Move Orders includes the following topics:

Creating Move Orders

Move Orders can be used only to transfer parts between subinventories within the same inventory organization. The following features are available when creating a move order:

To create a move order to move parts between subinventories within one inventory organization, use the following procedure.

Steps

  1. Navigate to the Move Orders window.

    The Move Orders window appears.

  2. If the Select Organizations window appears on top of the Move Orders window, select the inventory organization that you want to access.

    The Select Organizations window closes to reveal the Move Orders window for the specified inventory organization.

  3. (Optional) Enter the source subinventory and destination subinventory in the Default section of the Move Order window if you want this information to become the default values for your move order lines. This default feature is useful when you are entering multiple lines with the same source and destination subinventories.

  4. On the Item tab, enter the part number in the Item field.

    Note: If you accessed the Move Order window from Parts Search Hierarchy, then the selected part number automatically appears in the Item field.

  5. When you select an item, the Unit of Measure (UOM) field and the Date Required fields automatically populate with default values. You can change the Date Required value by using the list of values or by entering a new date.

  6. Enter the move order quantity in the Quantity field.

  7. Select the Source tab, and then enter or select a source subinventory from the list of values.

    Note: If you accessed the Move Order window from Parts Search Hierarchy, the source subinventory for the selected item automatically appears in the Source Subinventory field.

  8. (Optional) Enter Locator, Lot Number, Serial From and Serial To, if your part is using these Oracle Inventory features.

  9. In the Destination tab, select a destination subinventory from the list of values.

  10. (Optional) In the Service Controls tab, select the Service Request and Task numbers from the list of values.

  11. (Optional) Enter the Customer PO number and Comments.

    Note: The Project and Task tab and the Control tab are not used for Spares Management.

  12. Use the automatic receipt feature when the shipment must be automatically transacted into the destination subinventory at the Confirm Ship step.

    The default value for the destination subinventory comes from the destination subinventory. To override the automatic receipt setting for this move order, click the Special Ship To button. Check or clear the Auto Receipt check box.

  13. To ship the parts to a one time address, click the Special Ship To button. Enter a special address or click the Address button, and then select from a list of addresses previously entered for customers or locations.

    Automatic receipt is often used along with a special ship to address when a drop shipment is required. The move order special ship to address specifies an address other than the standard address assigned to the destination subinventory.

  14. (Optional) Select the Shipment Method and Carrier from the list of values.

  15. Click OK to close the window.

  16. Save your work.

    The Move Order number appears.

    The move order must be in an Approved status for further processing to continue. While your move order is not yet approved, you can update any field in the move order.

  17. To update existing move orders, navigate to the Create Move Orders window, and query the Move Order number that you want to update. You can also find your move order on the View Move Order Status window. After updating the move order, click Save.

  18. To change the status of the Move Order to Approved, click Approve.

    After your move order is approved, you can update any field except Quantity and Destination Subinventory.

    Note: If you click Approve before saving your move order, the save and the approval both occur.

Creating Reservations for Move Orders

Allocations are used to reserve parts in a specific subinventory location for a move order. Allocation ties the inventory to the move order.

This process is optional because the Create Pick Lists process allocates the inventory automatically. This functionality is typically used to ensure that the move order that has been generated to support a service request task is fulfilled as a priority if inventories are limited.

When creating manual allocations, you can:

Follow these steps to view inventory quantities, and then create a manual allocation for a move order.

Prerequisites

Steps

  1. Navigate to the Create Allocations window.

  2. If the Select Organizations window appears, select an inventory organization, and then click OK.

    The Find Move Order Lines window appears.

Viewing On Hand and Available Quantities

  1. Enter the move order number in the Number field of the Headers tab.

  2. Click Find to open the Create Allocations window for the selected inventory organization.

    The On Hand quantity field value includes reserved quantities. The Available quantity field value does not include reserved quantities.

Creating an Allocation

  1. Select the Select check box to the left of the Move Order Line field.

  2. Click Allocations.

Changing Allocation Quantity

  1. Click View/Update Allocations to open the Transact Move Order Line Allocations window.

  2. Scroll right, and then enter a quantity in the Quantity field.

  3. Click Update.

Verifying the Allocation

  1. (Optional) Click View/Update Details again to verify the allocated quantity.

    The allocation was created successfully if the Allocated Quantity field displays the allocated quantity.

Printing Pick Lists for Move Orders

Printing a pick lists produces a report that specifies the parts to be picked from their location in the warehouses. Printing the pick list changes the Move Order status to Printed. Furthermore, if an allocation was not previously created, printing the pick list creates the allocation automatically. You can print a pick list for an individual move order or you can print a pick list for a batch of move orders.

Use this procedure to print pick lists:

Prerequisites

Steps

  1. Navigate to the Submit Requests window.

    The Submit Requests window appears.

    Note: If the Select Organizations window appears, select the inventory organization for the pick list.

  2. To print a pick list for an individual move order, enter a Move Order number, and then click OK.

  3. To print pick lists for a batch of move orders, enter appropriate values in one or more of these parameters: Source Subinventory, Destination Subinventory, Date Required and Requestor. Click OK.

  4. Click Submit to run the concurrent program that creates the pick list.

  5. Click No in the Decision window if you are finished printing pick lists.

Verifying Pick List Printing

  1. (Optional) Navigate to the Move Order Status window to verify that the pick list was created.

    The Move Order Status window appears.

  2. Enter your Move Order number in the Find window, and then click Find.

    The line status indicates "Printed". The pick list number is assigned to the move order, and the picked quantity field displays the correct quantity.

Confirming Pick Lists for Move Orders

You confirm pick lists so that the quantity actually picked is verified before packing and shipping the parts. Confirming the pick list changes the Move Order Line status to "Confirmed".

With this feature, you can change the picked quantity only in the Reservations user interface. You can split pick list lines into multiple lines for shipping.

Follow this procedure to confirm a pick list:

Prerequisites

Steps

  1. Navigate to the Confirm Pick List window.

    The Find Pick Lists window appears.

    Note: If the Select Organizations window appears, select an inventory organization.

  2. Enter a pick list number or select from the list of values, and then click Find.

    The Confirm Pick List window appears and populates with data from the selected pick list.

  3. Click Confirm Pick to confirm the pick list.

Verifying Pick List Confirmation

  1. (Optional) Navigate to the Move Order Status window to verify that the pick list was confirmed.

  2. Enter your move order number or your pick list number in the Find Move Order window and click Find.

    The line status indicates Confirmed and the picked quantity displays the correct quantity.

Creating Pack Lists and Confirming Shipment

A pack list is used to define the contents of a box and to execute the physical shipment. Pick lists are assigned to boxes. Pack lists are created for each box.

Pack lists are printed and then confirmed. The confirmation process transacts inventory out of the source subinventory and relieves the allocated quantity. If the auto receipt feature is enabled, confirmation transacts inventory into the destination subinventory. If auto receipt is disabled, the shipment is transacted into the in-transit subinventory.

With this functionality you can:

Prerequisites

Opening a Packing List

  1. Navigate to the Packing Lists navigator tree.

    The Packing Lists navigator tree appears.

    Note: If the Select Organizations window appears, select an inventory organization.

  2. Click the + sign to expand the Packing Lists node.

    The Packing Lists folder expands to display the Open, Received, Received Short, and Shipped status folders.

  3. Click the + sign for the Open folder to display open packing lists.

  4. Click the Open folder and then right-click it.

    The right-click popup menu appears.

  5. Select Create Packing List from the right-click menu.

    The Create Pack List window appears and displays the Pack List Details tab.

  6. (Optional) Enter shipping information such as Carrier, Shipment Method, Waybill, Comments, Ship to Subinventory, and Location Address.

    Note: You can also enter this information later when you are finalizing the pack list.

  7. Click Save to create the pack list.

    The pack list appears within the Open folder.

Adding Items to a Shipping Box

  1. Click the + sign for the new pack list to display Box 001.

  2. Click Box 001 to open the Box Details tab.

  3. (Optional) Enter the weight.

  4. Open the Picked Items tab.

    The Find Pick lists window appears.

  5. Enter the pick list number and then click Find. If you do not know the pick list number, leave the pick list number blank, and then click Find to run a blind query for all pick lists that have not been previously assigned to a pack list.

  6. Select from the spread table the pick list item to be added to the box. You can select multiple items.

  7. To assign the selected lines to the box, click Add.

    The selected pick line disappears from the Picked Items tab and transfer to the selected box. All other pick lines that are assigned to a ship to address that differs from the pick line just selected, disappear from the Picked Items tab.

  8. To add more pick lines to the same box, repeat steps 11 through 14.

Adding Additional Shipment Boxes

  1. To add a second box to your pack list, click your pack list folder, and then right-click it.

    A right-click popup menu appears.

  2. Select Create Box. Optionally enter the weight in the Box Details tab. Click Save.

    Your new box number appears under your pack list.

Splitting Quantities into Multiple Boxes

  1. To split the quantity on a pick line into more than one box, click the quantity value of a pick line in the Picked Items tab.

    The Split Quantity window appears.

  2. Enter the quantity to be assigned to the first box, and then click OK.

  3. To add the remaining quantity to another box, click the other box number.

  4. Click the pick list number containing the remaining quantity. Click Add.

Creating the Pack List

  1. To finalize the pack list, click the pack list number.

  2. Enter values for carrier, shipment method, waybill and comments in the Pack List Header tab.

  3. Save your work.

  4. Enter the box weight in the Box Details tab.

  5. Save your work to create the pack list.

Printing the Pack List

  1. Click Print in the Pack List Header tab to the print the pack list.

    The Submit Request window appears.

  2. Click Submit to print the Pack list. Click No in the Decision window.

Confirming the Pack List

  1. Click Ship Confirm in the Pack List Header tab to confirm the shipment.

Receiving Shipments

Receiving shipments includes receiving internal orders, reservations, and move orders.

Receiving Shipments for Move Orders

Receiving is performed at the packing list level. The receipt transaction relieves the in-transit subinventory and increments the inventory at the destination subinventory. Receiving parts runs automatically if auto receipt is enabled.

With this process:

Follow this procedure to manually record the receipt of parts:

Prerequisites

Steps

  1. Navigate to the Receive Shipments window.

    The Find Pack Lists popup window appears.

  2. Enter a pack list, and then click Find or leave the Pack List field blank and then click Find to run a blind query.

    The Receive Parts window appears with a list of shipments that match your search criteria.

  3. If the quantity shipped is the same as the quantity received, select all the lines, and then click Receive.

  4. If the quantity shipped is different from the quantity received, click the quantity value located under the This Receipt column.

  5. Enter the actual quantity received, and click Receive.

  6. To close a partially received line, select the line, and then click Close Line.

    Important: To activate the Close Line button, you must set up an inventory account alias, named CSP_RECEIPT, in the relevant organization. For information about setting up the account alias, refer to the Oracle Field Service Implementation Guide section on setting up inventory organizations.

Receiving Inbound Orders and Reservations

The Receive Inbound Orders and Reservations feature enables technicians to receive parts ordered using the Parts Requirement page and orders created from replenishment plans. This feature is available in the Field Service Technician Portal and Mobile Field Service applications. Navigate to Spares Logistics and click Receive Inbound Orders and Reservations to launch the Inbound Orders and Reservations page.

The Inbound Orders and Reservations page displays all inbound lines which are linked to parts requirement. Administrators can use this page to search inbound lines for a selected resource.

You can receive part requirement orders and reservations as well as purchase orders and internal orders using the Inbound Orders and Reservations region in the Inbound Orders and Reservations page using the Receive or Receive Selected buttons.

Using the Inbound Orders and Reservations page:

  1. Begin by selecting Part Requirement Orders or Purchase and Internal Orders from the list of values in the Orders field

  2. Use the following criteria to search parts to be received: Resource, Destination Organization, Destination Subinventory, Item, Purchase Order Number, Document Number, and Shipment Number.

    You can also search using both item number and destination organization combination.

    Note: When conducting a search if you enter only item information, the system displays a message requiring you to enter resource of destination organization.

  3. Click Clear All, to clear search criteria. Click Go to search on your selected search criteria.

  4. The part requirement orders or purchase and internal orders applicable to your search criteria appear in the Inbound Orders and Reservations region.

  5. Header details for part requirement orders include Order Type, Document Number, Task, Source, Destination and Status. Header details for purchase and internal orders include Order Type, PO Number, Vendor, Freight Carrier, Waybill Number Shipped Date, and Expected Receipt Date.

  6. Click Details to expand the part requirement order header information to view details of the items it includes.

    Item detail information for part requirement internal order or reservation includes Description, Revision, Ordered Quantity, Balance Due, Ship Quantity, Receive Quantity, Receive UOM, Serial Number, Close Short, Source Locator, Destination Locator, Shipment Line Number, Shipment Number, Shipped Date, and Expected Receipt Date.

    Item detail information for purchase order includes Item Description, Ordered Quantity, Quantity, UOM, Serial Number, Lot Number, Revision, Destination Subinventory, and Locator. For internal orders the item details include Shipment Number, Vendor, Freight Carrier, Waybill Number, Shipped Date, and Expected Receipt Date.

  7. For part requirement internal order or reservation use the Receive Quality field to enter the item quantity to be received.

    For purchase orders and internal order, use the Quantity field to enter the item quantity to be received and the Destination Subinventory field to specify the subinventory the item is to be received into.

    Note: You can receive a serial controlled item in the Inbound Orders and Reservations page for Part Requirement Orders or Purchase and Internal Orders. If an item is non-serial control at source but serial control at receipt, enter or select a unique serial number for an item using the Serial Number field before you receive the item. The system automatically validates to ensure that the serial number is not duplicated.

  8. Select an item you want to receive and click the Receive button. If you are receiving multiple items, click the Receive Selected button to receive the items you have selected.

  9. A confirmation message displays that the parts have been successfully received.

Viewing the Status of Move Orders

The View Move Order Status window enables you to view the move order status and details at each step in the logistics process. This window also enables you to:

Follow this procedure to view the status of one or more move orders:

Steps

  1. Navigate to the View Move Order Status window.

    The Find Move Orders window appears.

  2. To view multiple move orders, specify combinations of parameters in the Find window, including move order number, source subinventory, destination subinventory, pick list number, pack list number, waybill number and line status.

    Enter the criteria that you want to use to limit the results of your search in the Find window, and then click Find.

    A list of move orders that match your search criteria appears.

  3. Scroll to the right to view details.

  4. To navigate to the Move Order window, click a move order number.

Viewing the Status of Internal Orders

Use the View Parts Order Status window to view parts requirements and internal order details at each step in the logistics process.

This window enables you to:

Follow this procedure to view the status of one or more parts requirements or internal orders:

Prerequisites

Steps

  1. Navigate to the View Parts Order Status window.

    The View Parts Order Status window appears.

  2. To view multiple internal orders, specify combinations of the parameters in the Find window, including Order number, Source Organization, Status, Item Number, Order By Date, Promise Date, Service Request, Need by Date, Resource, Task, Requirement, Waybill number, and Line Status.

    Enter the criteria that you want to use to limit the results of your search in the Find window, and the click Find. A list of parts requirements that match your search criteria appears.

  3. Scroll to the right to view all details of the parts requirement.

  4. To view a specific parts requirement, either select the parts requirement, and then click OK, or click the Requirement Number link.

    The Parts Requirement window appears.

Creating Replenishment Orders

Technician trunk stock and field service warehouses must be periodically replenished with parts used by the technician or shipped by the warehouse.

Replenishment is accomplished by running the Oracle Inventory Min - Max Planning Report concurrent program. You can run the program in two modes: automated or manual. The automated mode automatically creates the internal order, move order, or purchase requisition, depending upon the sourcing used. The manual mode provides a report that the planner can review before they create orders or requisitions.

Prerequisites

Steps

  1. Navigate to the Min - Max Planning window.

    Alternative navigation path: From the Planner's Desktop, right-click the node or subinventory that you want to replenish. You can launch this report from the Planning tree by territory or field service manager or any other logical grouping that is defined by a node in the tree by right-clicking on the desired node, and then selecting the Create Min - Max Planning Report concurrent program.

    When you select the Min - Max Planning Report concurrent program, the Parameters window appears.

  2. Select Subinventory or Organization in the Planning Level field.

    Parts replenishment is done at either the organization or subinventory level.

  3. If you select Subinventory, select the subinventory in the Subinventory field from the list of values.

  4. Select Yes in the Restock field if you want to run in the automated mode. Select No if you want to run in manual mode.

  5. Review and change other parameters from the default values as required.

    For more information regarding these parameters, see the Oracle Inventory User's Guide.

  6. Click OK to save your entries and close the Parameters window.

  7. Click Submit in the Min - Max Planning window to submit the request.

  8. Click No in the Decision window to close the main Min - Max Planning concurrent program window.

  9. To check the status of your concurrent request, select View from the Tools menu, and then select Requests.

  10. Click Find to view all of your concurrent requests.

  11. To view the output of the Min - Max Planning Report, select the request, and then click View.