Error States

When entering orders for configured items, there are a few circumstances that can cause the Configured Item Revisions program (P3210) to display errors.

First, when a segment is not attached to a UDC table, it is possible to free-form type into the segment answer field. If there is a range of values assigned to that segment, then a violation creates an error.

Second, again assuming that a segment is not attached to a UDC, a cross-segment editing rule can be created that generates an error when violated.

Finally, although perhaps the first to be encountered, multiple errors can be present when first entering the Configured Item Revisions program if the default segment values create an error state.

To minimize error states, attach UDCs to segments when possible. Also, review the default segment answers for a configured item to ensure that the default values represent a valid configuration.

When setting up a configured item, you can design the segment questions in such a way as to avoid errors. For instance, ask the most important questions first. Thus the consumer will not have visibility to choices that make the configuration invalid. For example, the first question should be whether the consumer wants a car or truck and not the color of the vehicle.

You can also use warning messages. Warning messages provide information regarding a choice that may or may not work in the configuration. The system does not remove the selected value but the warning gives the user the opportunity to make a different selection.