The video below will teach you how MET/TEAM's receiving process determines the interval for a work order and explains options to change it.
Below is more information on the topic:
With MET/TEAM, interval information is stored in several places, on the asset page in the "Scheduled Services" grid and on the Type in the "Procedures" grid. Technically the interval data is stored in the "Type Procedure Default" page that is used to define the relationship between a Type and Procedure. This is accessed via the Procedure grid on the Types page, by either double clicking on a row in the grid or by clicking a row in the grid and using the bottom "Modify Procedure Link" quick link.
The use, or not, of the interval is controlled by a system default named "Receiving - Set Interval". Here are the notes from that system default that explain it's use:
AFFECTS: Receiving, work orders ACTION: If active, and value = 'Asset' when creating a new work order, MET/TEAM will use the interval from the asset's scheduled services with a matching service type. If active, and value = 'Type',MET/TEAM will use the interval data from the default or top procedure configured for the asset's type with a matching service. If Inactive, MET/TEAM will leave the Interval blank.
To be clear, this is one setting that applies to all of MET/TEAM, not just one specific type or customer. If the desire is to have this vary by type or customer, it may be possible, see number 5 below.
Based on the notes shown above, MET/TEAM has 3 built in options:
1) The default state within MET/TEAM is Active and "Asset" which means the interval from the Asset's scheduled service grid with a 'matching' "service type" will be used. Effectively, with this setting, the interval from the Type / Procedures combination is NOT ever used.
2) The second option is when the system default is set to Active and "Type". This way MET/TEAM's receiving process would use the "Service Type" selected to look up the Type and default Procedure (top most when viewed in the Type page's "Procedure" grid) and use that interval on the work order.
The negative to this setting (Active and "Type") is that it applies to all items when they are received. So for the "type" configuration to be useful. All Types need to be correctly configured in regards to the order of the Procedures listed in the Type page's "Procedures" grad. Then the desired interval configured in the Type / Procedure 'default' screen.
The Active and "Type" configuration would never be practical for a 'commercial' lab, because commercial labs need to use the interval specified by the Asset's owner. However, In an 'internal department' type of lab, the "active and Type" configuration can be practical and often makes the most sense because it ensures all assets related to a Type use the same interval.
3) The third option is to leave the system default as inactive which causes MET/TEAM to receive assets and leave the interval and units blank, so they would have to be filled in by the technician on the work order.
4) If the goal is to have all assets related to a type use the same interval but not all Type records have been 'cleaned' and set up correctly, there is an option. The setting Active and "Asset" could be used in conjunction with a SQL script that updates the interval on all Assets related to the Type record, setting the desired interval. This will NOT change any due dates on these assets but will look a bit 'strange' when viewed in these Asset's scheduled services grid. This is because the difference between the Service Date and Due Date could be one interval but the displayed interval doesn't match? This may cause an auditor to ask questions, however, a quick review of the newest 'historical' and locked work order would confirm the asset was last processed with an interval of X, hence the displayed due date. The explanation is that the displayed interval is the 'new' interval that will be used going forward, not necessarily the interval last used.
5) Additionally, if MET/TEAM is a full instead of an 'Express' instance. the use of data check or checks could be implemented. One possibility would be to leave "Active and Asset" configured but a Type extended data field could be configured to indicate "Fixed interval" (or term of choice). A data check on the work order screen could check if the related type has "Fixed interval" checked and if so, the data check looks up the Type Procedure's stored interval and if it doesn't match the work order, the user is notified to correct the issue. This allows controlling the functionality based on Type, not system wide. There could be several variations on this, depending on the need. The use of data checks provides many options.
As you can see, MET/TEAM does provide options for how intervals are set.
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