Understanding Sample Management

When you enter QA operations, you can create a sample for the tests that you specify for the QA operation. When you request the sample, the system creates sample data on the Samples tab, based on the information that you have set up in the test definition, for example, lab and sample container information. When you create a sample, the system sets the sample status to Created. This is any status in the Sample Status UDC table (31B/QA) with a special handling code of Y. You can only create one sample per test. If the volume of the sample is larger than that of the sample container, the system calculates how many additional sample containers are needed. If the units of measure of the sample and the sample container differ, the system uses standard unit of measure conversion to convert the sample into the sample container unit of measure.

Note: You cannot create samples for administrative operations that are defined as QA operations. For these types of operations, the Request Sample button in the Quality area of the Edit Operations form is disabled.

You can use the sample workbench to edit samples. The system displays the same Samples area as on the Sample tab on the Edit Operation Detail form.

You can also enter test results from the sample workbench. The system displays the quality area on the workbench to enable you to select a test to enter result, tester and test date. If you add another test, you must enter a sample number for this test to enable the system to associate the sample with a lot. The system assumes the consolidation method for this sample is reuse and therefore does not change the existing sample. If you do not enter a sample number, the system issues an error.

If you cancel a QA operation that includes samples, the system sets the sample status to Cancelled as well. If you delete a QA operation or a test, the system deletes the associated samples as well. If you delete a vessel from a QA operation, the system deletes the sample as well, if the sample is at a status that can be changed.

Blending the lots from which samples are taken does not affect the samples. Samples are not copied forward to future blend lots.

If you perform a QA operation with samples on a virtual barrel tank (VBT), you can add sample information on the VBT Movement Detail form. For each barrel in the VBT, you can specify whether to take a sample from the barrel and in what sequence. You can also indicate changes to the barrel location. The setting of the Sample Flag field and the sample sequence applies to all samples for the operation and blend lot.