I created a couple simple web pages to help visualize what I'm thinking
about. The start URL is
http://www.esilibrary.com/dmcmorris/acqflow1/newpo.html . The pages are
purely visual right now... the buttons aren't set up to do anything and
all the data is static.
There are 4 basic screens. The first allows you to choose your supplier
and your order profile. The left column would be the supplier
information (all from 1 supplier record), and the right would be the
order profile (from an order profile record of some kind... basically an
order template). By clicking the appropriate button, you would get a
pop-up prompting you to choose a supplier or profile (again, they do
nothing at the moment).
The next screen is purchase order line items. This is just an overview
of the items... To see details of a specific line, click the line number
(line 1 does have a sample... although it's a general popup and not a
customized/sized one like it would/should be). Basically, the fields
are static and populated when you choose a bibliographic record to
order. Some fields (like the ISBN) may have multiple items, so a
dropdown may be needed (or even free-text, as the ISBN may not be
entered on the bib or may be incorrect). I didn't finish it, but you'd
go on to edit prices (list price, adjusted discount, fees, etc.). The
actual line item (on the overview) should show the purchase price, not
the list price. Also, on this screen should be item record options (if
you create item records automatically upon release).
Next is "Processing Instructions". I didn't put much on here, but you
would use this to request non-standard processing (such as "No spine
labels" or "archival processing"), instructions to the vendor, and
possibly instructions for catalogers/receivers.
Last is Release and Submit. It also has no content. Here, you would
see an overview of the PO (order qty, price total, etc.). You can then
release the PO, which will check it (errors, duplicates, etc), lock it
against future editing (although you could probably "unrelease" it;
status changes wouldn't be locked.... just the ability to change the
items/quantities/etc), and all that. You can then download a PDF for
printing, download a PDF for faxing (which would include a cover sheet),
E-Mail, or transmit via EDI. This screen would also show data like date
of submission, date of release, etc.
This is a very quick and dirty thing in an attempt to help put my ideas
down into a more visual format. If you have any questions about it,
don't hesitate to ask.
--Don
Don McMorris wrote:
I did a little bit of acquisitions in my old library system. As many
libraries were small, most would order through a central system
account and the consortium headquarters would receive.
Actor: Member library staff
Create a purchase order. Add Purchase Order Line Items by locating a
bibliographic record (if there isn't one, an e-mail is sent to staff
to request a new record). Release the purchase order, and submit it
to vendor via EDI. When records are released, new item/holding
records are created.
Actor: Consortium HQ's Acquisitions staff
Supplier would box and ship items to consortium HQ. Staff would sort
items onto book trucks by PO number, and verify contents on packing
slips. Other staff would then take this book truck, receive the item
on the purchase order, stamp and label the item, box the items up, and
send them (via courier) to the library that ordered them.
Actor: Member library staff
Staff gets the items in the delivery. They pull up the Purchase
Order, and link from the line item to the item record. They will
apply a barcode to the book, and attach the barcode to the item
record. The item would then be checked in (in terms of circulation)
to trap any hold requests and to automatically move the status from
"in-process" to "in" (or "held", "transferred", or other applicable
status). The item would then be shelved.
Actor: EDI agent
Throughout the process, the EDI will handle some functions
automatically. The order is generally placed through EDI (although
it's in the library's name, the SAN is for the system so it's received
at the HQ). When he vendor issues an invoice via EDI, the item will
be changed from "On-Order" to "In-Process" (this /may/ be
configurable, but I'm not sure).
Well, meeting time! Any questions, let me know.
--Don
Dan Scott wrote:
Next in a continuing series of problem scenarios...
Receiving monographs
Actor: Roche, mail & printing support
Actor: Chantal, technician
Each morning, if the Library receives one or more shipments from a
vendor, Roche places the received books on a cart. An invoice comes
with each shipment, and Roche places that invoice on the cart along
with the books, then delivers the book cart to the technical services
area.
For each shipment, Chantal compares the invoice (using it as a packing
list) with the books on the cart, checking off each book as she finds
it.
For each book, Chantal:
1. Retrieves the order record (based on order ID recorded on invoice,
and/or title, author, etc.). This changes the location of the item
from ON ORDER to IN PROCESS so that patrons will know what state the
book is in if they do a search.
2. Checks the vendor on the order record to ensure it corresponds with
the invoice.
3. Checks the NOTE fields in the order record for any special
instructions (typically RUSH or "Requested by patron X", in which case
she would place a hold on that patron's behalf).
4. Adds a barcode to the order record (at this point, the order is
said to have been "loaded".)
5. Catalogues the item by retrieving a good MARC record through Z39.50
copy cataloging, then cleans up the MARC record with the following
steps:
a. Check the publication date and ISBN
b. Convert 856 |3 subfields to |z. **Aside: this could probably be
avoided if we changed the display policy in our current library
system.**
c. Add spaces to call number.
6. Changes the location from IN PROCESS to the real home location.
7. Prints label and completes physical processing.
8. Places the book onto the book cart for shelving.
--
Don McMorris Jr., Technical Specialist
Equinox Software Inc.
Lawrenceville, GA 30049-1418
(770) 339-7803 / 1-877-OPEN-ILS x709
http://www.esilibrary.com
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
