Use patterns to require product and serial numbers adhere to a specific sequence and number of characters. For example, serial numbers from a particular vendor may always begin with the same letters, or have a hyphen in the middle. By specifying a pattern for these specific letters and hyphens, you can accept only serial numbers that adhere to the pattern during entry; others are rejected.
Note
Patterns are also used for Customer P/O numbers using the same method as below. See Specify a pattern for default customer P/O numbers
Enable number patterns
For Serial Numbers
- Serial Number Patterns may be set at any time using the procedure below in Assign a pattern
For Product Numbers
- Go to File > Company > Master.
- Click the Pricing/Costing tab.
- Set the New Product Number Patterns based on (V)endor or (P)roduct Line:
- V prompts you for a vendor prior to creating a new product.
- P prompts you for a product line before creating a new product.
Inform ERP will validate product code patterns; only products that match pattern requirements will be accepted.
- Click Save.
Assign a pattern
- Go to File > Vendor > Master
. - On the Setup page, click the Patterns tab.
- Click Edit.
- Click Add Matching Pattern.
- In the new row that appears, type the pattern using the Pattern key, below.
For example, a pattern of "T"3A"-"5N indicates that the number must begin with the letter T, followed by three letters, a dash, and ending in five numbers. An acceptable product or serial number that would match this pattern is TABC-12345.
- Click Save.
Pattern key
|
Code |
Definition |
Example |
Matching Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
|
#A |
A specified number of alpha characters in a row. |
3A |
ABC |
|
#N |
A specified number of numeric characters in a row. |
3N |
123 |
|
#X |
A specified number of alpha or numeric characters in a row. |
3X |
A2C |
| " " |
Specific or special characters (place the character between the quotes). |
"JK" | JK |