Forms order entry system6076080Abstract An order entry system is provided comprising a first computer system, a printing station computer system, a form design repository, a second computer system, a validation engine, and a pricing engine. The first computer system captures form design data and the second computer generates a form price, validates the form, and transmits a validated and priced order to the printing station computer system. The second computer is also programmed to store an index of form design files in the form design repository. The forms order entry system is also programmed to determine manufacturability of an ordered form by comparing its form design data to a set of validation rules and route manufacturability exceptions to a selected one of a plurality of exception handling locations. The pricing engine determines identified labor, material, burden, and mark-up cost components, and applies a set of pricing rules to them, to enable calculation of a form price. Claims What is claimed is: Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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Products: Manufacturing Process:
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Carbonless Sets Stanfast
Continuous Singles
Limited; Custom is available
Labels Custom
Mailer: Cont. Flat Glue
Custom
Mailer: Zipmailer
Custom
Mailer: Zipset Flat Glue
Custom
Rolls Custom
Sheeted Singles Limited; Custom is available
Standard Envelopes
Stanfast
Stanfast Sheets Stanfast
Stanset Limited; Custom is available
Zipset Limited; Custom is available
Other Subcontracted Unmakable
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A user can open and access any one of the following items by choosing "Open" from the File menu: Quote, WIP, Template, Order, Exception In Basket, Exception List, Exception Detail, Pricing Results, Order Log, and Customer Search. Some of these items may be disabled based on security access, i.e., user ID and password. A quote, a WIP, and a template each describe a form order but are identified with different terms merely to provide a means of distinguishing their respective status's. For example, a quote is a priced order, a WIP is an order in the process of being priced, and a template is an archived order utilized to create new orders. Accordingly, the Open Quote, Open WIP, Open Template, and Open Order windows are substantially identical in appearance and functionality. Only the Open Quote window will be discussed herein in detail since it is representative of the Open WIP, Open Template, or Open Order windows. Choosing "Quote" from the File/Open menu or clicking on the quote tool button displays the Open Quote window. Access to Quotes may be limited by requiring different passcodes for files associated with different districts, regions, etc. Quotes, WIPs, and Templates are retrieved by entering Primary and Secondary Search Criteria (tracking number, production order number, customer address, etc.). Choosing "Exception In Basket" from the Open menu or clicking on the Exception In Basket toolbar button displays an Exception In Basket window. Exceptions, which are described in further detail herein, must be viewed and resolved by exception handlers. When exceptions are routed, the order entry system 10 automatically sends an E-mail to the first/next Exception Handler in the routing sequence. This message alerts the Exception Handler to check the Exception In-Basket. The Exception Handler then processes the exceptions that are present. The exceptions are tracked by the Quote/WIP tracking number. After all exceptions have been accepted or rejected, the CSR will receive E-mail notification that the quote/WIP has been returned. Choosing "Exception List" from the Open menu displays an Exception List window for the active Quote/WIP/Order. If a Quote/WIP does not pass validation for any reason, all exceptions are automatically displayed to the CSR. The Exception List window indicates if the exceptions are for the CSR to resolve or if they need to be routed to another area. Any exceptions that can be resolved by the CSR must be resolved before any of the other exceptions can be routed. Choosing "Exception Detail" from the Open menu displays an Exception Detail window. This window is only available if an exception has been resolved. The Exception Detail window allows a user to view specific information related to an exception. This allows a user to research any information regarding a request (Exception handling location, exception originating office, status, ply, and date completed information, exceptions description, text description, description of the feature causing the exception, written description of the resolution to the problem, etc.). Choosing "Pricing Results" allows a user to view a detailed breakdown of pricing exceptions and pricing information. Access may be controlled by user ID and password. Choosing "Order Log" from the Open menu displays an Order Log Search Criteria window. In order to access the Order Log, a user must enter the appropriate search criteria into the Order Log Search Criteria window (mail code, date order entered, parent name/division name, customer name, purchase order number, form number, sales representative, shipment status, etc.). The Order Log window displays fields representing various information about the orders shown (date entered, tracking #, prod. order #, sales rep ID, sales rep name, parent name, division name, customer name, PO #, form #, form name, warehouse quantity, direct qty., order type, date desired, scheduled ship date, ship complete date, plant order status, change order, sell price, list price, diff %, direct amount, total amount, comments, etc.). To access the Order Log, a user must enter the appropriate search criteria into the Order Log Search Criteria window, as described above. Choosing "Customer Search" from the Open menu displays a Customer Search window. This window allows a user to search for specific customer information and return this information to the calling screen. The Customer Detail window allows a user to view detailed information about the customer selected in the Customer Search window, such as: parent name, division name, legal group number, etc. Choosing "Close" from the File menu closes the active window. Choosing "Save" from the File menu saves the active window. The quote can be saved as one of three types: Quote, Work In Progress (WIP), or Template. The save type designation is a choice a user makes while creating the quote. Choosing "Print" from the File menu prints current field information entered in the open window. Choosing "Print Setup" from the File menu provides a list of installed printers, sets the default printer, and provides access to other printing options for the printer selected. Choosing "Exit" from the File menu ends an order entry session. Clicking "OK" closes the Products window and opens a New Quote. Clicking "Cancel" closes the Products window. Clicking "Help" brings up the associated help topic for the window. Analogous "OK," "Cancel," and "Help" commands are available throughout the order entry system 10 windows. The Edit menu, see FIG. 8, includes commands to cut, copy, paste, insert, and delete text. Choosing "Cut" from the Edit menu removes selected text and graphics and puts them on a temporary storage area for cut or copied text, e.g., a clipboard. Choosing "Copy" from the Edit menu copies selected text to the clipboard. Choosing "Paste" from the Edit menu inserts a copy of the clipboard contents at the insertion point, replacing the selection (if any) with the text on the clipboard. Choosing "Insert" from the Edit menu when in the Customer Search window brings up a Customer Detail/linsert Prospect window where a new customer is added initially as a prospect. Choosing "Delete" from the Edit menu allows a user to delete selected text entered into window text fields. The Data menu, see FIG. 8, includes commands to sort and find data and show details. Some of these commands may be disabled based on security access (i.e., user ID and password). When in the Order Log, choosing "Search Criteria" from the Data menu displays an Order Log Search Criteria window and choosing "Sort" from the Data menu displays a Specify Sort Columns window. The sort process allows a user to sort by a specific column in the Order Log. When in the Order Log, choosing "Filter" from the Data menu displays a Specify Filter window. Order Log entries may be filtered based on specific needs. The filter feature is useful to quickly obtain a list of log entries based on some filtering criteria. The filter feature allows a user to locate and view a list of records that meet criteria for many fields. Some common filters might include: display an order with a specific tracking number; display all orders entered on a specific date, display all orders at a specific plant, display all orders scheduled on a specific date, etc. In most cases, filtering is a simple matter of defining the criteria in a mathematical equation. A common example is to find an order in the Order Log that is associated with a specific tracking number. The expression for this filter criteria is: Cust.sub.-- order.sub.-- id=tracking#. Once a filter criteria is written, a Verify button can be used to be sure the filter criteria is valid. Other mathematical expressions may need to be used to locate the needed information (Less than, Greater than, Less than or equal to, Greater than or equal to, etc.). When in the Order Log, choosing "Find" from the Data menu brings up a Search Order Log window. A user can go directly to the order's log entry by using the Search Order Log window. A user can logically delete a prospect record from a Customer Search window by using the "Cancel" function. Choosing "Restore" from the Data menu allows a user to restore a prospect to the record list in the Customer Search window. When the Order Log is open, choosing "Refresh" from the Data menu updates the Order Log data. Choosing "Detail" from the Data menu takes a user to the next level of detail available depending on the window that is currently open. The Options menu, see FIG. 8, includes commands to change, reopen, accept, reject, price, and place orders. In addition, this menu allows a user to enter or view a forms design request and make column settings to the Order Log. Some of these items may be disabled based on security access (i.e., user ID and password). When an order is open, choosing "Change Order" from the Options menu displays the Change Order window. The Change Order window allows a user indicate the reason for changing the order. It also enables a user define the criteria for customer acceptance. "Reason for Change" enables a user to indicate the reason for changing the order. Selections include: Data Entry Error, Sales Rep Error, Customer Request, Cancel Order, etc. Specifying the reason for change enables the "Cost" and "Schedule" sections in Customer Acceptance Criteria. The "Cost" section allows a user to indicate whether or not the customer accepts a change to the cost as a result of the order modifications. The "Schedule" section allows a user to indicate whether or not the customer accepts a change to the schedule as a result of the order modifications. Choosing "Reopen Order" from the Options menu enables a District Operations Manager (DOM) to reopen an order to make changes (typically, the CSR will not have security access to this menu option). Choosing "View Forms Design Activity" from the Options menu displays a Forms Design Activity window. The Forms Design Activity window allows a user to enter or view a design request. An Action Gram field within this window allows a user to enter the Action Gram number. Clicking a Search button allows a user to see if any forms design activity is already associated with the Action Gram. If activity exists, "Requested Date" and "Due Date", as well as the "Started" and "FD Activity ID" information is presented in the center display field. Clicking the Add button adds a design request. The Requested Column field displays the current date. This enables a Due Date field. where the due date for the design request is entered. The Started and Completed fields are populated when the forms designer starts and completes the form. The FD Activity ID # represents the number a user must copy onto the Action Gram. This number is sent to the designer along with samples, artwork, or mock-ups. This information helps tie hardcopy information to on-line documentation. A user can use the Delete button to remove a design request that has not been started (no Started date showing). A user can ask a designer to stop work on an iteration that has been started (started date is showing) but it cannot be deleted. A Forms Design Compare Results window appears when there is a mismatch between the forms design and order entry specifications. It may show that a specification appears in the forms design but not in order entry, or visa versa. In either case, validation and pricing cannot proceed until the mismatch is resolved. Depending on the nature of the mismatch, a user may either need to change the specifications in order entry or have the forms design modified. When changes are made to an order and a "Change Order" is sent to a plant for evaluation, a plant can choose to accept or reject the changes. Selecting "Accept" overwrites the old order. A change notice is printed at the plant and a new work ticket is generated. Selecting "Reject" deletes the "Change Order" from the system. Choosing "Compute Price" from the Options menu allows a user to request a list price for a Quote/WIP. The pricing process sends the quote through the validation and pricing engines. The list price is returned and displayed in the Pricing section of the Order Level Detail View. When initiating the pricing process, there is always the possibility of an exception. If this occurs, an Exception List will be displayed on the screen and no list price is returned. Selecting "Compute Price" when the Product is "Other" opens up a Subcontracted Pricing window. Choosing "Place Order" from the Options menu places an order. Placing the order causes the system to go through a validation process to ensure order completeness. If exceptions are found, those exceptions must be reviewed and handled before the order can be placed. Choosing "Set Order Log" from the Options menu displays an Order Log Profile window. The Order Log Profile allows a user to hide any columns from the Order Log. The Order Log Profile is user specific. The same CSR cannot set different profiles for different customers, but different CSRs in the same district, region, etc. can have different profiles depending on the needs of their Sales Reps and customers. To configure the Order Log Profile, simply select the columns to hide on the log and select the Save As Default button. To return and view a column previously hidden on the Order Log (without modifying the profile), de-select the columns to display and click the OK button. The Order-Level Features menu, see FIG. 8, allows a user to access specific feature windows to enter detailed order-level information. These features are found in the Shipping, Pricing, Administration, Instructions, and Product sections of Order Level View. Each of these windows can be opened from Order Level View by using the drop-down menu on the menu bar, a shortcut menu by clicking the right mouse button, or by clicking on the raised button on Order Level View. All of these windows have similar screen conventions that follow Windows.RTM. standards. Certain windows may be "view only" based on security. The Shipping section allows a user to specify the "Sold To" and "Shipping" information for a quote. Clicking on the raised Total Shipping Destinations button brings up a Bill to/Ship to Summary window. The Bill to/Ship to Summary window contains "Quantity," "Bill To," and "Ship To" information. Clicking an Add button brings up a Bill to/Ship to Detail window. In order to complete billing and shipping information, a user must identify the "Ship To" and "Bill To" addresses and other pertinent details. Once a user has completed the "Ship To" and "Bill To" information on the Bill to/Ship to Detail window, specific details are entered in a Details section of the window (quantity, delivery method, delivery point, customer P.O. number, requisition number, cost center, consecutive numbering start number, prefix, and suffix, destination specific "Ship to" instructions, information to print on the shipping label, etc.). Clicking the OK button on the Bill to/Ship to Detail window returns a user to the Bill to/Ship to Summary window. Clicking the OK button on the Bill to/Ship to Summary window enters the number of destinations into a Total Shipping Destinations field of the Shipping section on the Order Level View. Clicking on raised Sold To buttons brings up the Sold To Customer Address Search window. This window allows a user to select a single customer address and return the selected address to the Sold To field in the Shipping section. A Freight Terms drop-down list box allows a user to specify if the shipment is Prepaid, Prepay and Charge, or C.O.D. Typically, the default is Prepaid Charge. If there are no other customer requirements, Freight and Storage are based on the list price. If it is to be based on the sell price, a user must enter the sell price. A Desired Ship Date field allows a user to indicate when the plant is to ship the order. A Not Before checkbox is selected if a user does not want the order to be shipped before the specified date, even if it is completed sooner. A Commitment Number field allows a user to specify an agreed-to ship date. A number is assigned to verify the commitment. This field is entered by the plant. After the order is shipped, the actual quantity shipped is indicated. A Qty/Carton field indicates the number of forms per carton. The Pricing section of the Order Level Features menu allows a user to capture list, sell, and contractual prices. A Contract No. field allows a user to enter a contract number for non-automatic contractual pricing. An Order Qty. field allows a user to enter the total of the destination quantities. The order entry system 10 compares the List and Sell price and provides a differential figure in percent. Alternatively, the differential may be entered and the sell price calculated. An operational check may be provided to ensure the differential is acceptable. When pricing is initiated, and a list price is received, an expiration date, typically 30 days from when the price was first calculated, is assigned by the system. In other words, the quote is valid until the expiration date. The Charges Incl. On field allows pricing to be assigned to one order in the case of multi-plant orders. For example, in the case of a continuous form with a blown-on label, the label order can be marked that the charges are included on the continuous form order, allowing the two to be cross-referenced. The order entry system also provides for order grouping. Clicking on the raised Misc. Charges button within the Pricing section of the Order Level Features menu brings up the Miscellaneous Charges window. This window allows a user to apply miscellaneous charges to an order. Clicking the Charge drop-down list arrow allows a user to select the charge code for Consulting, Forms Design, Excessive Iterations, Scanning, Rushes, Special Services, Testing, etc. A user can add or delete charges from the list by clicking the Add or Delete button. Depending on the charge selected, certain fields and function buttons are enabled. For example, selecting Forms Design enables Description, List Amount, Sell Amount, Per Order, Display on Invoice, and Charge District. A Description field describes the Charge. For example, if a user selects "Special Services" from the Charge drop-down list box, a user can enter a specific description such as "Presentation Materials." A List Amount field of the Pricing section allows a user to specify the list amount. A Sell Amount field allows a user to define the sell amount. Clicking the Per Order checkbox allows a user to designate a charge as Per Order. For example, Forms Design is a flat, order-level fee. If this is not selected, the charge will be calculated on a Per M (per thousand) basis. Clicking a Display on Invoice checkbox allows a user to present the charges on the invoice. Not selecting this checkbox incorporates the charges into the total list amount. Clicking a Charge District checkbox allows a user to charge a district to absorb the cost as a service to the customer. This also allows a user to document this action. A district charge code must then be entered. The system totals the Per Order and Per Thousand List and Sell amounts. The Administrative section allows a user to request folios, request proofs, and identify storage options. This window also displays sales commission split and account code information, tracking numbers, order numbers, and production numbers. The Administrative section displays the order type and allows the CSR to change it. The CSR can also turn a quote into a WIP. An "Action Gram" field allows a user to enter the Action Gram Form number. The Action Gram is a sequentially numbered form used by a sales rep to communicate with the CSR. A "Date" field allows a user to enter the date a user received the Action Gram. A "Doc IDNersion" field within the Administrative section is used to associate the forms design and the order entry document. Clicking on a raised Doc IDNersion button brings up the Associate Forms Design window. This window allows a user to associate the order graphics (or graphic form design file) with a quote or populate the quote with the information stored in the design file. Document ID and Version fields in a Form Design File section of the window allow a user to identify the specific document and version number. Clicking on an Associate button in the Options section ties the Quote/WIP and the design together, but does not change any data that may have been entered in the Quote/WIP. Clicking a Populate button fills in the available information on the Order- and Ply-Level windows. This will also overwrite information existing on the Quote/WIP. A Date Populated field indicates the date the forms design was populated or associated. Clicking on the raised Sales Rep # button in the administrative section brings up a Sales Split window. This window allows a user to identify the sales rep and specify the sales percentage for commission purposes. A user can either enter recipient's number, if known, or click on the Search button to locate and select a sales split recipient from a list. Clicking the Search button brings up a Sales Recipient Search window. This window allows a user to select a sales split recipient. A user can narrow the search by clicking either a District or a Corporate button in the Search Domain section. Clicking the OK button returns the selected sales split recipient information to the Sales Split window. The Sales Split window also requires a user to identify a Primary sales rep. The sales split values for all Sales Reps must total to 100%. Sales split values greater than 100% will not be validated. Clicking the raised Folios button in the administrative section brings up a Folios window. This window allows a user to specify who will receive samples when the order is completed. Clicking the Distribution drop-down list arrow presents four different options for distribution: Attach to Invoice, Customer, Sales Rep, and System Library. Quantity is always entered in multiples of 5. Clicking the Add button allows a user to assign other distributions. A user can assign up to four (4) distributions, but cannot repeat any of them. Clicking on the Delete button deletes a specified distribution. Selecting "Customer" requires a user to complete Quantity and Select Address fields within the administrative section. Clicking a Select Address drop-down list arrow allows a user to select the appropriate customer address. Address displays addresses for the Ship to, Bill to, and Sold to. Clicking on a Proofs button in the administrative section brings up a Proofs window. This window operates similarly to the Folios window. Clicking on a Proof Types drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the type of proof, such as B&W Acetate, B&W, Color Key, Coloron, Dylux, Multilith, and PMT. Clicking on a Distribution drop-down list box allows a user to select either Customer or Sales Rep. Clicking a Grid button indicates a grid background should be printed on the proof. Clicking the Add button allows a user to assign other distributions. Clicking the Delete button deletes a specified distribution. Clicking on a raised Storage button in the administrative section brings up a Storage window. This window is used to define storage terms and specify requirements for orders shipping to warehouses. Clicking a Storage Order checkbox enables various fields and button selections to be completed (some of these may be enabled or disabled based on the customer profile). Goods may be invoiced at the time of release or at the time of storage by clicking either the Invoice at Release or Invoice at Storage button within the Administrative section. Clicking the Storage Charges drop-down list arrow allows a user to add storage charges as a separate line item to the invoice, include storage charges in the price of the form, or use a short storage option if the items are going to be stored in the warehouse for a short period of time. A user can specify the % Overrun to Storage. A HVCO (High Volume Storage) field is typically only enabled only per unique customer requirements and terms. Negotiated Freight and Storage and Storage Override Allowed fields are enabled only per unique customer requirements and terms. Full Carton Release and PIC/PAC button selections are enabled only per unique customer requirements and terms. Clicking the Packing Unit drop-down list arrow allows a user to select the desired packing unit. A FormPac section allows a user to specify FormPac information: Estimated Monthly Storage, Number of Months Supply, Product Types, Remarks, Forms Management Indicator, Max. Release Units, Form Functions, etc. After a quote is saved, a Tracking Number is assigned by the system. It is a unique, sequential number that will follow the quote through the order stage. It will also feed into the order log. This provides a means for sorting and filtering the Order Log in the same sequence as a Monthly Sales Statement for reconciliation. When a user Is processing a reorder, the Previous Order Number (the last order in the reorder chain) is displayed in this field. The Prev. Order No.: Reference checkbox is used to identify a reference to a previous order. For example, suppose Customer A requests the same kind of form as Customer B. Because there is something very unique about the construction of the form, Prev. Order No.: Reference allows a user to reference Customer A's order. The Order No. is filled in when the order is placed. It will remain blank during most of the order entry process. Clicking an Order Type drop-down list arrow allows a user to select the Order Type: (Quote, Template, or WIP) for logical grouping of a users work. An Account Code field allows a user to enter an account code used for a variety of business transactions. Examples include stopping automatic invoicing, placing special orders, accessing authorization, etc. The Instructions section allows a user to specify packaging instructions, as well as overrun and underrun information and other special instructions. Clicking either a raised Inner Packaging or Packaging button brings up a Packaging window. This window allows a user to specify inner packaging, packaging types, and palletizing. Selecting either a No Overruns or No Underruns checkbox specifies whether or not an overrun or underrun is allowed. Clicking on an Invoice Copies drop-down list arrow in the instructions section allows a user to specify the number of invoice copies required. Clicking an Invoice Coded, Special Coded, CSR FreeForm, or Invoice Free Form raised buttons brings up the Special Instructions window. Clicking a Coded Special Instructions drop-down list arrow within the Special Instructions window allows a user to select a commonly used coded special instruction such as CAR on Previous Order, Export Order, Full Cartons Only, Flag All Breaks, Back Printing-Tumble Style, Test Order, List Missing Numbers, Print the Byline, Print the Symbol, etc. A user can select multiple instructions from the list by simply clicking on the desired special notices. A "Sales Office Special Instructions" field allows a user to enter special sales instructions. Pressing the Add button allows a user to add a row. Entry of special instructions in this field will cause the Quote/WIP to be routed to the plant when pricing is attempted. The plant cannot modify the information contained in this field. Pressing the Delete button removes the selected instruction. A "Plant Special Instructions" field allows the plant to enter special instructions after reviewing Sales Office Special Instructions. The CSR cannot modify the information contained in this field. The plant uses the Add, Delete, and OK buttons in the same fashion as described in the Sales Office Special Instructions section. An Invoice section allows a user specify invoicing instructions. Clicking the Billing Unit drop-down list arrow allows a user to select one of the following: Per Eaches, Per Carton/Roll, Per Package, Per Pad/Book, or Per Inner Carton. The default unit is Per M (per thousand). The Product section captures product information from the Products dialog box when the quote was first created. A user can change product information and assign a form number and form name. These items can be used to identify the form for later retrieval. The total plies (including carbons) previously selected is entered into a Plies field. Clicking on the associated raised buttons opens the initial Product dialog box where ply information (quantity) may be changed. A Form number field allows a user to enter the form number. A Form Name field allows a user to enter the form name. If a user were creating a template, a user could enter "three-part carbonless" to identify the template by name. A Fold length field relates to fold length of continuous forms. Clicking a raised Writing Device button brings up a Writing Device window. This window allows a user to select a printer and specify one or more primary and secondary writing devices. If a product is "Other," a Subcontractor Name field allows a user to enter the name of the subcontractor with which the order is placed. Selecting "Compute Price" from the Options menu when the product is "Other," opens a Subcontracted Pricing window. An Associate Distributor checkbox is selected when the subcontractor and product is listed in the catalog with specifications and pricing information. The Subcontractor Price per thousand for the product that the subcontractor quoted, the per thousand markup percentage, and the flat (per order) markup in dollars may be entered within the Subcontractor Pricing window. Clicking OK resumes pricing. The Subcontractor Price, Markup %, and Markup (Flat) are used to calculate the marked-up price used as the List price for the subcontracted order. A Pre-Collated Set checkbox is provided in the product window for pre-collated carbonless sets. Clicking a raised Bindery button brings up a Bindery window. This window allows a user to specify bindery requirements (binding method, binding types, Folding Method, fold orientation, Face Out/Face In folding, binding color, stub location, cover printing, cover material, cover type, special binding instructions or requirements, quantity for padding, chipboard backing, Glue Edge, number of pages for a book, Left or Right glue application, number of plies booked, number of loose plies, etc. Depending on the binding method selected, certain fields and function buttons are enabled. For example, selecting Perfect Binding enables Pages per Book and Location (i.e., Left or Right glued). Selecting Comb binding enables Color, Pages per Book, and Location. Selecting Stitching enables Face Out, Cover Printed, and Chipboard. Selecting Spiral Binding enables Color, Pages per Book, and Location. If Folding were available, selecting this method would enable Folding Method, Orientation, and Face Out. The Ply-Level Features menu, see FIG. 8, allows a user to access specific features windows to enter information for each ply level of orders: Paper, Ink, Carbon, Fastening, Perforations, Punching, Ply Composition, Consecutive Numbers, MICR Fact Sheet, Printing, Non-Litho Printing, Affixing, and Coating. A Ply-Level View window is a high-level view of an order. Each ply-level feature is available as a section in this window. For each section, there are multiple lines determined by the number of plies specified in the Products window. Each feature from the Ply-Level Features menu allows a user to access a specific ply number. If information is the same for all plies, a user may apply this data to all papers using the Apply To All Paper and/or Apply To All Carbons features. The following sections describe each Ply-Level feature in detail. Each section contains a functional explanation of the features window, as well as field-level and button descriptions, navigation tips, and information on how ply-level information ties into the Ply-Level Detail window. Analogous Apply to All commands are available throughout the order entry system 10 menu commands. The Paper window allows a user to specify ply size and paper at a ply level. This information can be applied to all plies. If an envelope product is chosen, a user can select the envelope number, weight, color, and paper description from this window. If there is a forms design associated with the quote/WIP, the size will be populated by that design but the paper weight/color/description must be entered. A user can choose to view only those papers for the selected writing device(s) related to the quote/VIP. Selecting an Approved for Writing Device button allows a user to select from approved papers for the writing device(s). Selecting an All Papers button allows a user to view all paper combinations, regardless of the selected writing device(s). Choosing an envelope product type disables the Paper Display feature. When no writing device is chosen, an Approved for Writing Device button is disabled and the All Papers button is selected. When a writing device is selected for the quote/WIP, the system defaults to Approved for Writing Device. Selecting Envelope as the product type enables the Envelope drop-down list box. Clicking on the drop-down arrow allows a user to select any one of the available envelope sizes. Selecting an envelope number populates the Width and Length fields. Ply size is entered in the Paper window as well. Clicking a Weight drop-down arrow allows a user to select the appropriate paper weight. Clicking a Color drop-down arrow allows a user to select the desired paper color. A Description drop-down list box is populated after a user selects or changes both a color and weight. A user can click on the Other button and manually enter a paper description in the adjacent field. An Ink window allows a user to specify the ink for front and back faces of a ply. If there is a forms design associated with this quote/WIP, this window can be partially populated by that design. Clicking an appropriate drop-down list arrow allows a user to select an available system ink. Clicking the "Other" selection opens an Other FreeForm window. This window allows a user to enter a description of an ink not present on a system list. Selecting the "Other" ink option causes routing to determine if the request can be produced. The system ink Number field allows a user to enter a numbered ink as opposed to a named ink. A Group Name field identifies the Group Name for the selected Named Ink or Number. An orientation buttons allow a user to specify the ink(s) for either Front or Back side of the current ply. A Carbon window allows a user to select the type and orientation of a carbon on a ply-by-ply basis. If there is a forms design associated with a quote/WIP, this window can be populated by that design. Width and Length fields allow a user to specify carbon dimensions. Selecting a Formula drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the carbon formula. Selecting a Formula type, enters a description in a Description drop-down list box. Clicking a Narrow Carbon checkbox allows a user to specify a narrow (or short) carbon at a specific location of a form. Clicking a location drop-down list arrow allows a user to choose the Narrow Carbon location: Right, Left, Top, Bottom. A Distance field allows a user to enter the distance between the paper ply and the narrow carbon from the specified Location. A KS Holes drop-down list box allows a user to indicate the marginal punching: None, Right, Left, Both. Selecting a Feather Edge button allows a user to specify a carbon-free "pull-out" strip edge to cleanly remove carbons. Clicking a Length drop-down list arrow allows a user to select the length of the feather edge. Clicking a Strip Carbon button indicates that the carbon coated tissue is to be produced with an uncoated strip within the sheet. Orientation buttons allow a user to specify the orientation of the carbon: Face Down or Face Up. Clicking a View Other button allows a user to view the "Other" carbon selections for the current ply. A user must specify "Other" as a carbon type to enable and select this button. A Fastening window allows a user to specify a type of fastening, as well as which plies of the order to fasten together. If there is a forms design associated with this quote/WIP, this window can be populated by that design. Clicking a Fastening Feature drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify a fastening feature. Fields are enabled/disabled based on the fastening feature selected. An Attached Ply field is used to indicate the ply to which a user is attaching. A Distance From Edge field is used to indicate the distance from the edge of the form in inches. Clicking a Location 1 drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the location of the first fastening feature: Top, Bottom, Left, or Right. A Width 1 field is used to specify the width of the first stub. Clicking the Location 2 drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the location of second stub: Top, Bottom, Left, or Right. A Width 2 field is used to specify the width of the second stub. A Primary Stub checkbox indicates which stub, if there is more than one stub, is the primary. Clicking a Prongs drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the number of prongs for crimping. Clicking a Staple Direction drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the direction of the staple. Options include: Horizontal, Vertical, Left Diagonal, or Right Diagonal. Clicking an Add or a Delete button allows a user to specify another fastening feature or remove a specified fastening feature from the Fastening section. Clicking a View Other button allows a user to view the "Other" fastening selection for the ply. The Perforations window allows a user to select perforation types and location at a ply level. If there is a forms design associated with this quote/WIP, this window can be partially populated by that design. Clicking a Feature drop-down list arrow presents a list of perforation features, such as Letteredge, Standard, or Score. When Standard perforation is selected, a Type drop-down list box presents the following options: Fold, Full, or Partial. Clicking the Orientation drop-down list arrow presents orientation options for a perforation. Based on selections previously made, Starting and Ending distance fields are enabled or disabled. A user must enter information into the enabled fields. The Punching window allows a user to specify what punches are used and where they are to be located on the form. It also allows a user to view punches already defined for an order. In addition, the Punches window allows a user to specify which plies the punches apply to. If there is a forms design associated with the quote/WIP, this window can be populated by that design. Clicking a Punch Type drop-down list arrow presents a list of standard round-hole Punch Types to select such as: Round holes, Corner cut, Keyhole meeting, Keyhole extended, KS punch, Slit file holes, Slotted file holes, Pegboard, Cheshire, Kalamazoo, VISIrecord, McBee, Credit Card Carrier, Window, Mosier telematic, Round corners, 2 hole, 3 hole, and 5 hole, etc. A user can define holes for pricing purposes without a forms design. A Location drop-down list box allows a user to select where the punches will be located. Options include: Top, Bottom, Left, and Right. A Distance: Center to Edge field is used to define the distance from the center of the hole to the edge of the paper. A Center to Center field is used to define the distance from the center of one hole to the center of another. A From Left field is used to define the "x" punch distance from the left. A From Top field is used to define the "y" punch distance from the top. Clicking an Add button adds another punch to the ply. Pressing a Delete button deletes a punch from a ply. Clicking a View Other button allows a user to view punches already defined for a current order. Choosing Ply Composition opens a Ply Composition window. This window allows a user to identify the face Change Complexity (in relation to a previous order, if one exists) and the individual plates that are used on a ply-by-ply basis. A Plate window, which works in concert with the Ply Composition window, allows a user to describe each plate used on the form. A Description field within the Plate window allows a user to describe the Plate. When the Forms Design populates the Plate window, the required fields will contain the specified values. Clicking an Add button allows a user to specify an additional plate. Clicking a Delete button allows a user to remove a specified plate from the Plate section. Clicking a Change Type drop-down list arrow allows a user to select the appropriate type of change. Options include: 1 Line Change, Camera Ready, Camera Ready w/1 Line Change, Exact Reorder, and New. Selecting "New" enables the system to estimate the number of minutes involved in composing the form for pricing purposes. Selecting "1 Line Change" from the Change Type drop-down list enables a "One Line Change Description" field, allowing a user to enter a detailed description of the one line change. A "Quadrants Changed" field indicates which portion of the negative requires changes. This field is populated by a Forms Design. It is also enabled when Camera Ready is chosen from the Change Type drop-down list. Clicking Reverse Printing and/or Screening checkboxes indicates a reversed and/or screened area appears on the ply face. Top Lockup, Split Lockup, and Bottom Lockup fields allow a user to enter the space requirements for the lockup area of the plate. The lockup area is the non-printable section of the plate that is held (locked) by the press cylinder. Validation checks the lockup values and determines whether it is adequate for the product. Once the Plate window is completed, the Ply Composition window displays the plates used for the Front Face and Back Face in a Highlight plates used for this face box. The Consecutive Numbering window allows a user to specify the format and type of consecutive numbers to be described. If there is a forms design associated with a quote/WIP/template, this window can be partially populated by that design. Clicking on the Consecutive Numbering Locations drop-down list arrow allows a user to select the consecutive number name such as Regular, MICR, and Other. Clicking a Type drop-down list arrow allows a user to select one of two types of numbering: Press or Copysafe. Press numbers are printed on each ply of the form individually and great care must be taken to ensure the numbers match from ply to ply when the parts are collated. Copysafe (also known as "crash numbering") works like a typewriter with carbon or carbonless paper. The first ply gets the number imprinted on it in ink. The subsequent plies receive the number from the impression. This ensures the numbers always match on all plies. Clicking a Name drop-down list arrow allows a user specify the ink color for the consecutive number. Clicking the Format drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify Normal, Digital, or Split numbering format. A Number of Chars. field is used to specify the number of digits in the consecutive number. Distance From: Left and Top fields are used to indicate the location of the consecutive number on the form. Clicking an Orientation drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the orientation of the consecutive number. Clicking a Machine Readable checkbox specifies the use of special numbers that are readable by a machine. Clicking a High Number Stacking drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify how the consecutive numbered forms are going to be stacked in the box. A user can specify high numbers on Top or Bottom. Clicking a Formula drop-down list arrow allows a user to select the mathematical formula (equation) used to determine the check digit. Check digits are used to verify the correct consecutive number. Clicking a Check Digit: Location drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify whether the check digit is to the Right or Left of the consecutive number. A Digits field is used to specify the number of digits in the check digit. Clicking a Separator drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify a separator between the consecutive number and check digit. Options include None, Space, and Dash. Book and Page fields are used to enter the Repeat Quantity, Starting Number, and Pages Per Book. Repeat Quantity is used indicate the repeat quantity. Starting Number is used to indicate the starting number for the book and page. Pages Per Book is used to indicate the number of pages in the book. Clicking an Add or Delete button allows a user to specify another Location to the Face or remove a number from the ply. Clicking a Zero Suppress button indicates leading zeros should be dropped. When a numbered form ships to multiple destinations and a specific starting number is not required for each location, clicking a Continue Up button allows a user to continue up the numbering sequence regardless of what occurs in the process. Clicking a Guarantee No Missing button ensures no missing documents (i.e., loss of numbers due to breaks, changing paper, waste, etc.) when forms are delivered to the customer. Face orientation buttons allow a user to specify consecutive number(s) for either the Front or Back side of the current ply. The MICR Fact Sheet window allows a user to enter manufacturing specifications for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) printing. If there is a forms design associated with a quote/WIP, this window can be partially populated by that design. The MICR window is divided into two sections: MICR Repetitive and MICR Consecutive information. Orientation buttons allow a user to specify the MICR application for either the Front or Back side of the current ply. Clicking a MICR Repetitive checkbox indicates MICR Repetitive functions. Clicking a MICR Consecutive checkbox indicates MICR Consecutive Numbering. A Measurement Bar field located at the top of the window represents width of the form. From Left and From Top fields are used to indicate the location of the repetitive number on the form. Clicking a PMS#/Name drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the ink color used for MICR repetitive numbering. Information in the MICR Consecutive section will be completed if the MICR Consecutive information in the Consecutive Numbering window is completed. All associated fields within this section are enabled for entry. Clicking a Type drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify Press or Copysafe. A Number of Chars. field is used to specify the number of digits in the consecutive number. Clicking a Guarantee No Missing button ensures no missing documents (i.e., loss of numbers due to breaks, changing paper, waste, etc.) when forms are delivered to the customer. Clicking a Check Digit drop-down list arrow allows a user to select the mathematical formula (equation) used to determine the check digit. The Printing window enables a user to establish printing specifications such as embossing, pantograph, and prismatic methods. If there is a forms design associated with a quote/WIP, this window can be partially populated by that design. An Available Print Types field allows a user to specify print types such as Bar Codes, Embossing, High Resolution, Microprinting, Pantograph, Printing Other, Prismatic, and Security Shield. Selecting Embossing enables the fields within the Emboss section. Selecting Pantograph enables the fields within the Pantograph section. Selecting Prismatic enables the fields within the Prismatic section. A Description field is used to enter a free-form description of the desired embossing. Clicking a Type drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify a pantograph type. Clicking a Custom checkbox indicates custom application. A PMS Number field is used to specify the desired PMS Numbered Ink for the Pantograph. Clicking a Named Ink drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the Named Ink for the Pantograph. A Prismatic section allows a user to indicate the ink sequence, as well as specify the Divider Width of the Prismatic band as it flows from one color to the next. A user can select printing for either the Front or Back Face of the ply. Clicking a View Other button allows a user to view the "Other" print type selections for the current ply. The Non-Litho Printing window enables a user to establish non-litho printing specifications such as titles, stock phrases, outline phrases, distinguishing figures, and the type of ink. If there is a forms design associated with a quote/WIP, this window can be partially populated by that design. Clicking a Select Title drop-down list arrow allows a user to select a stock title, such as "Acknowledgment Copy." If a Custom Title selection is chosen, then the Custom Title fields will be enabled, allowing a user to enter up to two lines for a custom title. A user can specify the orientation of the printing. Options include Horizontal and Vertical. Clicking a Number of Lines drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the number of lines required for the custom title. A font size must be selected for a custom title. A Stock Phrases field and a Select Outline Phrase fields allow a user to select stock and outline phrases and their respective orientations from a drop-down list. If the use of different paper colors alone does not meet the form separation requirements, a user can use Distinguishing Figures. A user can specify an ink for the Selected Title, Stock Phrase, Outline Phrase, and Distinguishing Figure. A user has the choice of selecting either a Non-Litho Named Ink or PMS Numbered Ink. A user can select non-litho printing for either the Front or Back Face of the ply. The Affixing window enables a user to establish affixing specifications such as eyelet, transfer tape, reinforcement patch, and other methods. If there is a forms design associated with a quote/WIP, this window can be partially populated by that design. Clicking an Eyelet drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the type and diameter size of eyelet. Clicking a Transfer Tape drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the type and size of transfer tape. Clicking a Reinforcement Patch drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the type and size of reinforcement patch. Clicking an Affixing drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the type of affixing method. Options may include: Avery Standard, Envelope Cut, Letterhead Cut, Other Affixing, Overall Label, Remoist Strip, etc. An orientation buttons allow a user to specify the affixing for either the Front or Back side of the current ply. The Coating window allows a user to view, add, edit, and delete Security and Coating features to an order. If there is a forms design associated with a quote/WIP, this window can be partially populated by that design. Clicking a Coating drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the type of coating material to be used on the ply. Clicking an Add button adds another instance of coating to the ply. Clicking a Delete button removes a specified Coating from the ply. Clicking a View Other button allows a user to view the "Other" coating selection for the ply. Clicking a Security drop-down list arrow allows a user to specify the required security feature. A Description field allows a user to better define the selected Security feature. Clicking an Add button adds another instance of security to the ply. Clicking a Delete button removes a specified Security feature from the field. An Orientation buttons allow a user to specify the coating for either the Front or Back side of the current ply. The Utilities menu, see FIG. 8, contains commands to change the logon user password and view roles. A Change Password command allows a user to change the current password being used. A user can view the user roles by selecting a View Roles command. The Window menu, see FIG. 8, contains commands to arrange the system windows on the screen to meet unique display requirements. It also contains a command to display the toolbar. A Tile command arranges the windows so that an equal portion of each window is on the screen. A Layer command arranges the system windows in horizontal strips, one above the other. A Cascade command arranges the windows on the screen in an overlapping diagonal arrangement. A Show Toolbar command allows a user to display helpful buttons to execute commands. The Help menu, see FIG. 8, contains items for quickly getting on-line help or information about the order entry system 10. The forms design process is used to create a design for a customer form. FIG. 8 illustrates two significant aspects of the forms design process, as embodied in the order entry system 10 of the present invention. The process is typically initiated when the CSR sends samples, mock-ups, artwork, etc. to a forms designer and enters the appropriate data in the View Form Design Activity window described in detail above with reference to the Options menu. The designer creates a graphic form design file corresponding to the desired form design using suitable form design software, e.g., ProDesigner.RTM. for Windows available from the F3 Software Corporation, Burlington, Mass. As is described in further detail herein with reference to FIG. 2, the graphic form design file is saved in an appropriate order entry server 13 and indexed in the forms design repository 18, see FIG. 1, so that it is accessible to the CSR. It may be preferable for a forms designer at the user interfaces 28, 29 to perform a portion of the form design activity, e.g., production of the artwork related to the form design. It is contemplated by the present invention that all or part of a specific graphic form design file may originate from a previously archived graphic form design file stored, for example, in the order entry server 13. Referring again to FIG. 8, the order entry system 10 enables the CSR to associate a graphic form design file with a corresponding set of order specifications e.g., a quote or WIP, and then populate the order specifications with the information stored in the design file. An Associate Form Design window available under the Order Level Features menu enables a user to select "Associate" and tie the order specifications with the corresponding graphics without changing any data within the order specifications. The Associate Form Design window also enables a user to select "Populate" to fill in information on the Order and Ply Level screens of the order specifications, if none has been previously added, and overwrite information existing in the order specifications if it is inconsistent with the form design graphics. A Form Design Populate Results window is displayed upon population. A Default Values portion of the Results window displays fields that were not populated by the Forms Design. This serves as a notice that these field values may need to be reviewed by the CSR. The second half of the Results window displays warning messages. These are items that may have populated and caused discrepancies within the form. Referring now to FIG. 2, the structure and function of the order entry system 10 of the present invention is illustrated in detail. The forms order entry system 10 comprises the first computer system 12, the printing station computer system 14, and the second computer system 16. The first computer system 12 includes user interfaces 21, 22, 23 and is programmed to capture form design data representative of a forms order 36 entered at one or more of the user interfaces 21, 22, 23. The second computer system 16 is remote from, and in communication with, the first computer system 12 and the printing station computer system 14 and is programmed to: (i) generate a price corresponding to the form design data as a function of a set of pricing rules; (ii) validate the forms order 36 by comparing the form design data with a set of validation rules; and, (iii) transmit a validated and priced order to the printing station computer system 14. The forms order 36 may comprise a modified existing forms order or an original forms order. The price generated by the second computer system 16 comprises a list price corresponding to the form design data. The form design data comprises order specifications 32 designated within the first computer system 12 and a graphic form design file 34 designated within the first computer system 12. The second computer system 16 is further programmed to associate and populate the order specifications 32 from the graphic form design file 34 and generate a form design populate report. The form design populate report is indicative of non-populated portions of the order specifications 32 and are indicative of discrepancies between the graphic form design file 34 and the order specifications 32. FIG. 2 further illustrates that form design files 38 corresponding to the forms order 36 entered at the user interfaces 21, 22, 23 are stored in the first server 13. The form design repository 18 is remote from, and in communication with, the first computer system 12. The second computer system 16 is remote from, and in communication with, the first computer system 12 and the form design repository 18. The second computer system 16 is programmed to (i) create an index of form design files 40 corresponding to the form design files 38 stored in the first server 13 and (ii) store the index of form design files 40 in the form design repository 18. As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the first computer system 12 includes a least one additional server 13 coupled to a second plurality of user interfaces 21, 22, 23. Form design files 38 corresponding to a forms order 36 entered at one of the second plurality of user interfaces 21, 22, 23 are stored in the additional server 13 and the index of form design files 40 created by the second computer system 16 corresponds to the form design files 38 stored in the first server 13 and the second server 13. Accordingly, where a plurality of order entry servers 13 are provided in the first computer system 12, form design files 38 are stored in the order entry server 13 corresponding to the user interfaces 21, 22, 23 at which the order was entered and the index 40 for accessing the form design files 38 is held in a central location. In this manner, data transfer across the network 20 is minimized because the form design files 38 are stored proximate the user interfaces 21, 22, 23 where they are most likely to be accessed in the future. Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, forms order validation 200 is described in detail. The second computer system 16, which is typically remote from and in communication with a user interface 21, 22, 23 at which an order is entered, includes the corporate server 17 and a validation engine 42 resident therein. The validation engine 42 operates in accordance with a set of validation rules which are integral to order validation 200. In order validation 200, the order specifications 32 and the graphic form design file 34 are associated and the order specifications 32 are populated from the graphic form design file 34, see step 202. Upon population, the second computer system generates form design populate report, see step 204. If portions of the order specifications 32 have not been populated by the graphic form design file 34, the order entry system 10 enables a user to list or print the non-populated portions and return to order entry 100 to complete the non populated portions, see steps 206 and 208. Similarly, if discrepancies exist between the order specifications 32 and the graphic form design file 34, the order entry system 10 enables a user to list or print the discrepancies and return to order entry 100 to correct the discrepancies, see steps 206 and 208. In general, form design data representative of the forms order 36 is captured if there are no non-populated portions or discrepancies, see step 210. However, it is contemplated by the present invention that the order entry system 10 may be programmed such that some discrepancies and some non-populated portions will be sufficiently minor in nature to permit the capture of form design data. The second computer system 16 is programmed to generate manufacturing steps based on form design data representative of an entered forms order 36, see step 212, and select an appropriate manufacturing plant or printing station computer system 14 based on the manufacturing steps and the form design data, see step 214. The form design data defines the appearance and construction of the ordered form, i.e., its components and appearance. The manufacturing steps correspond to, and typically describe, a specific manufacturing process for creating the ordered form. Typically, the manufacturing process includes initialization of printing machinery and the subsequent printing steps necessary to produce a form. Following generation of the manufacturing steps, the second computer system 16 determines whether the ordered form is manufacturable and usable by comparing the form design data to a set of validation rules, see steps 216, 218. If the ordered form is determined to be manufacturable and usable, no manufacturability or usability exceptions are generated and a validated manufacturing plan is transmitted to the selected printing station after order pricing, see steps 226, 300, and 400. Referring specifically to FIG. 2, the printing station computer system 14 includes the plant server 15, user interfaces 24, 25, 26, a digital press 44, and a printer 46. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the manufacturing steps are transmitted to the digital press 44 in digital format. Alternatively, data indicative of the manufacturing steps is reproduced at the printer 46 in a printed format. If the ordered form is determined to be non-manufacturable or non-usable, an exceptioned manufacturing plan is generated, see step 220. The exceptioned manufacturing plan includes one or more manufacturability or usability exceptions that must be resolved prior to printing. Accordingly, the manufacturability exceptions are routed to one or more exception handling locations 48 within the order entry system 10, see step 222. The exception handling locations typically correspond to a purchasing department, an engineering department, a manufacturing plant, a pricing department, a customer accounting department, etc. Typically, the exceptions are first routed to the CSR to permit modification of the order entry 100 prior to further routing to exception handling specialists at the exception handling locations 48 throughout the system 12. The exception handlers generate resolutions and the resolutions are routed to the CSR to enable the CSR to modify the order entry 100, see step 224. The validation rules comprise a set of rules and values for determining whether all the information necessary for manufacturing an ordered form is present and correct in the form design data. Exceptions are generated and routed where the conditions of a rule are violated. These validation rules fall into two classes, the general validation rules and the specific product validation rules. The rules within each of these classes are described in detail below. General Validation Rules According to one embodiment of the present invention, the follow rules, i.e., the general validation rules, are applied to every order regardless of the product ordered: Form Length, Form Width, Ply, Primary Writing Device, Quantity, Polywrap, Transfer Tape, Bursting, Reinforcement Patch, Check Press Perfs, Overrun, Packaging, Press Printing Units, Calculate Impressions, Determine Number Wide, Determine Possible Plants, Paper, Pantographs, Carbon, Lockup, Barcode, MICR, Home Plant Assignment, Security Features, Press Selection, Product Code, Ink, Non-Litho Printing, Folios, Ship List Quantity, Proofs, Administrative, Coded Invoice Instructions, Release I Exclusions, Invalid Combinations, and Grouping. Other general validation rules, e.g., Secondary Equipment, Check Press Punches, Blockouts, are applied in special circumstances. Form Length. If the order is for a continuous form, all lengths must be the same. Similarly, if the order is for a form using stubs, all stub lengths must be the same. If they are not all the same, an exception is generated in the manner described above. Preferably, fold lengths are also checked to ensure that they are above a predetermined minimum fold length, below a predetermined maximum fold length, and an even multiple of the form length. Form Width. The order entry system 10 checks the form width to ensure that it is not below a minimum form width or above a maximum form width. An exception is generated if the form width is outside the maximum/minimum range. Ply. The system 12 checks the number of plyies and carbons to ensure that they are not below a minimum number of plies/carbons or above a maximum number of plies/carbons. An exception is generated if the form width is outside the maximum/minimum range. Primary Writing Device. The system 12 requires that some selection be made for the primary writing device be selected. The available selections are: No Device Specified, Primary, and Secondary. Front-first or back-first imaging and the device type, manufacturer, model, and throw are also identified. If no selection is made, the CSR is prompted to specify primary writing device. The system 12 determines the specifications for the device selected and uses the type of the selected device, e.g., impact or non-impact, to validate the specifications. For impact printers, if there is no carbon on the form ordered, the number of plies must be equal to or less than the maximum number of plies. If there is carbon on the order, the number of plies must be equal to or less than the maximum number of plies less the number of carbons. The length of the form must be equal to or less than a predetermined maximum form length and equal to or greater than the selected writing device's minimum form length. The order entry system 10 checks the basis Weight for each paper on the ordered form to ensure that it is equal to or less than a predetermined maximum value for the selected writing device. Other values and specifications checked by the system 12 for compatibility with the selected impact printers include: weight of the last copy of the form, paper weight, paper caliper, paper width, and printer throw (the throw must be evenly divisible into the form length). For non-impact printers, the width, length, and basis weight of the form are checked, by the order entry system 10, to ensure these values are compatible with the selected writing device. Further, the order entry system 10 checks the print method (direct thermal, xerographic, thermal transfer, ion deposition, etc.) for the selected printer to determine if a compatible paper type has been selected. Also, the order entry system 10 checks the fuse method for the selected printer to determine whether a compatible ink has been selected. For example, if the fuse method is heat, pressure, or heat and pressure, heat resistant ink must be used. If there are horizontal or vertical perforations on the form, the order entry system check to ensure the selected printer is compatible for horizontal or vertical perforations. The system 12 checks for punches on each ply of the Form. If there are punches, predetermined criteria must be met (e.g., less than 5 punches, round, 1/4" diameter, at least 1/2" from the trailing edge of the form, etc.). As is the case for impact printers, the system 12 checks the throw to ensure that it is evenly divisible into the Form Length. Secondary Equipment. Preferably, appropriate rules are processed for the specific secondary equipment selected. For example, separate rules may be applied if a scanner, a MICR reader, or a burster are selected. Quantity. The system compares the ordered quantity to predetermined maximum and minimum quantities. Polywrap. If there is polywrap, the quantity per package must be entered. If the quantity is not entered, or selected from a list, an exception is set. If the quantity per pack is not one of a set of predetermined standard quantities, an exception is set. If there are to be labels on the product, the order entry system 10 displays a request for the necessary label information. Transfer Tape. The order entry system 10 checks the order for transfer tape. If there is transfer tape, the system 12 checks to see if the selected tape is available for the ordered product and checks each ply for the location of the tape. The acceptable location values are front and back. For each ply that has transfer tape, the system 12 adds one to the total number of plies on the order and reevaluates to determine if the maximum number of plies has been exceeded. If there is transfer tape on more than one ply in the set, all tapes must be on the front or on the back of the plies. The orientation of the tape must be parallel to the form's KS holes. Certain features (Carbon, Carbonless impression area, Perforations, Punches, Printing, etc.) must fall within 1/4" of either side of the tape. The system 12 checks the size of tape specified on the order to ensure that it is compatible with the remainder of the order. Bursting. If the order includes carbon, the order entry system 10 compares the form width on the order with preset minimum and maximum widths, compares the form length on the order with preset minimum and maximum lengths, and compares the weight of the papers and carbons on the order with preset minimum and maximum weights. Further, the system 12 checks for horizontal perforations located less than 1" from a fold perf. Reinforcement Patch. The order entry system 10 checks the order to ensure that the form quantity is equal to or greater than a minimum number of features for the form, that the basis weight of the paper complies with predetermined minimum and maximum values, and that the form width and the form length comply with the predetermined minimum and maximum values. Check Press Perfs. The order entry system 10 ensures that, if diagonal, horizontal, vertical, or letteredge perforations are selected, they are compatible with the form design and manufacturable. Press Punches. The order entry system 10 determines whether punches, if selected for the ordered form, are available for the current product. If a three-hole punch is selected, the following specifications must be met: (i) Form Size: at least one dimension of the form must be 81/2; (ii) Number of punches: 3, (iii) Size: 1/4" ROUND; (iv) Location: Parallel to the 81/2" dimension, and 3/8" from the edge of the form; (v) Distance from the edge of the form (edge that is perpendicular to the 81/2" dimension): 11/4", 23/4", 51/2". Similarly, if a five-hole punch is selected, the following specifications must be met: (i) Form Size: 81/2.times.11; (ii) Number of punches: 5; (iii) Size: 1/2" ROUND; (iv) Location: Left side only, 3/8" from left edge of form; (v) Location: Distance from top of form: 11/4", 41/8", 51/2", 67/8", 93/4". Similar requirements are set for a seven-hole punch. Packaging. The packaging rules are preferably not applied to orders for standard envelopes, roll products, or laser packs. Further, the packaging rules are not processed for any of the following features: remoist strip, transfer tape, eyelet, reinforcement patch, coating, staple, zipline glue, flexifast glue, spot paste, cross web glue, kraft wrap, mailable carton, banding, chipboard, inserts, inner cartons, stitching, KS removal, bursting, booking, tape binding, comb binding, spiral binding, perfect binding, spot coating, and desensitized area. The packaging rules include separate components for unique features (A), standard packaging (B), type of order (new, reorder, etc.) (C), stanfast envelopes (D), laser pack option (E), and customer specified packaging (F). The functionality of each of these components is represented as follows, where a form to be ordered is referred to as a proposal: A. UNIQUE FEATURES A.1. The order entry system 10 will check the FEATURE TYPE: PACKAGING. 1.1.1. Only one of the FEATURE LIST elements may be selected: STANDARD LASER PACK SPECIAL ROLLS OTHER 1.1.2. If more than one of the above has been selected, set exception for the CSR: MESSAGE: #G1120 SELECTED PACKAGING TYPES ARE EXCLUSIVE If OTHER is selected: Discontinue validation, Set exception for Plant: MESSAGE: #G1130 APPROVE PACKAGING TYPE. A.2. The order entry system 10 will check the FEATURE TYPE: INNER PACKAGING. 1.2.1. Only one of the FEATURE LIST elements may be selected: POLYWRAP KRAFT WRAP BANDING 1.2.2. If more than one of the above has been selected, set exception for the CSR: MESSAGE: #G1220 SELECTED PACKAGING TYPES ARE EXCLUSIVE A.3. The order entry system 10 will check the FEATURE TYPE: BINDERY. 1.3.1. Only one of the FEATURE LIST elements may be selected: FOLDING PADDING STITCHING BURSTING BOOKING TAPE BINDING COMB SPIRAL BINDING PERFECT BINDING 1.3.2. If more than one of the above has been selected, set exception for the CSR: MESSAGE: #G1320 SELECTED PACKAGING TYPES ARE EXCLUSIVE 1.4. If any exceptions are generated in Section A. UNIQUE FEATURES, discontinue processing the rules for PACKAGING. B. STANDARD PACKING 1.50 CALCULATE STANDARD PACKING 1.50.1. The order entry system 10 will refer to the structures for PAPER and CARBON to SUM the caliper for all the papers and carbons in the form set. 1.50.1.1. If any paper or carbon in the set does not have a CALIPER, set exception for Eng: MESSAGE #G1502 (WGT, COL, TYPE) NEEDS CALIPER 1.50.2. If the Proposal has any features that are listed in the structure: FEATURES CALIPER, the order entry system 10 will add the caliper for that feature to the SUM. 1.50.3 This rule is to be used only when one of the following FEATURES are on the proposal: 1.50.3.1. AFFIX LABEL 1.50.3.2. EYELET 1.50.3.3. TAPE and/or TRANSFER TAPE 1.50.3.4. EMBOSSING 1.50.3.5. COMBINATION OF FEATURES In the following calculations, the order entry system 10 will treat a fold length as a form. 1.50.3.1. AFFIX LABEL 1.50.3.1.1. The order entry system 10 will determine if any of the area for the label(s) on one form overlays any area of the label(s) on the succeeding form when the forms are folded. 1.50.3.1.2. If no area of the label overlays another label, use 1/2 the caliper of the label. 1.50.3.1.3. If any area of the label overlays another label, use the full caliper of the label. 1.50.3.1.4. If there is more than one label of different calipers on the same form, use the largest of the calipers. 1.50.3..2. EYELET 1.50.3.2.1. The order entry system 10 will determine if any area of the EYELET on one form overlays the area of an EYELET on the succeeding form when the forms are folded. 1.50.3.2.2. If no area of the EYELET overlays another EYELET, use 1/2 the caliper of the EYELET. 1.50.3.2.3. If any area of the EYELET overlays another EYELET, use the full caliper of the label. 1.50.3.3. TAPE and/or TRANSFER TAPE 1.50.3.3.1. The order entry system 10 will determine if any area of the TAPE or TRANSFER TAPE on one form overlays the area of the TAPE or TRANSFER TAPE on the succeeding form when the forms are folded. 1.50.3.3.2. If no area of the TAPE overlays another tape, use 1/2 the caliper of the tape. 1.50.3.3.3. If any area of the TAPE overlays another TAPE, use the full caliper of the TAPE. 1.50.3.4. EMBOSSING 1.50.3.4.1. If there is EMBOSSING on the order, add 30 to the Paper Caliper. 1.50.3.5. COMBINATION OF FEATURES 1.50.3.5.1. If there is a combination of more than one different FEATURE on the proposal, use the caliper of the FEATURE with the highest caliper only, and delete the caliper for the other features. The order entry system 10 will then select the proper column for determining STANDARD PACKING. The options are:
______________________________________
COLUMN PRODUCT
______________________________________
CUSTOM CONTINUOUS Custom Continuous
Limited Custom Continuous
****
SINGLES-NO PERF All products where Ply = 1
or except: ROLLS
SINGLES-PERFORATED
StanFast Envelopes
****
ZIPSET Custom Zipset
Limited Zipset
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1.50.5 The order entry system 10 will then refer to the PACKING CHART--TOTAL SET CALIPER, and the appropriate column as selected above. If the exact TOTAL SET CALIPER is not in the list, use the next higher TOTAL SET CALIPER. 1.50.6. If the ORDER SPECS-FLDLENGTH is larger than ORDER SPECS-FRMLENGTH, determine the factor. (1, 2, 3, etc.) 1.50.6.1. Multiply the NUMBER OF FORMS/STACK by the factor. 1.50.7. If the ORDER SPECS-FLDLENGTH is smaller than ORDER SPECS-FRMLENGTH, determine the factor. (1, 2, 3, etc). 1.50.7.1. Divide the NUMBER OF FORMS/STACK by the factor. 1.50.7.2. Update ORDER SPECS-PACKING-STD QTY. 1.50.8.. If the FACTOR in 1.50.7. is not 1: 1.50.8.1. If the FACTOR is 2, round the STD QTY to the nearest multiple of 4. 1.50.8.2. If the FACTOR is 3, round the STD QTY to the nearest multiple of 6. 1.50.8 Update ORDER SPECS: STANDARD=(QTY) PER PACK 1.50.9. If the TOTAL Order Quantity is less than the quantity per pack, change the STANDARD QUANTITY PER PACK to the TOTAL ORDER QUANTITY 1.51 CALCULATE PACK HEIGHT 1.51.1. The pack height obtained in rule 1.50 is for a 12" high pack. 1.51.1.1. Select FRMWIDTH and FRMLENGTH from the Data File: PACK HEIGHT. 1.51.1.2. If the FRMWIDTH or FRMLENGTH is not in file, use the next higher FRMWIDTH and/or FRMLENGTH. 1.51.1.3 If the FRMWIDTH or FRMLENGTH is larger than the largest size on the chart, set exception for the Plant:: MESSAGE #G1511 LARGE FORM--DETERMINE PACK HEIGHT MESSAGE #G81014 THIS ORDER MUST BE PRICED MANUALLY 1.51.1.4 Update ORDER SPECS-PACKING-STD HEIGHT=Height of carton 1.51.1.5. If ORDER SPECS-PACKING-STD HEIGHT is not 12", calculate the number of sets in the STD HEIGHT. 1.51.2. If the order has any packaging type that is less than a full carton, the order entry system 10 will determine the height of the package and the number of packages per carton. 1.51.2.1 See Data File: PACKAGING--TYPE for the types of packages that may be less than a full carton. a. If any of these types are specified, the quantity per package must also be specified. The order entry system 10 will then calculate the height of the package--based on the quantity per 12" pack; and the number of packages that will fit into 12". 1.51.2.3. If the height of one package is greater than PACKAGING-MAXPACK, set a flag for review by the Plant. MESSAGE #G1512 PACK HEIGHT EXCEEDS SPECS 1.51.2.4. The number of packages per 12" stack must be rounded down to the next whole number of packs. 1.51.2.5. Update ORDER SPECS: Number of sets/pack Number of packs/carton Number of sets/carton 1.51.3 The order entry system 10 will then determine if more than one stack of forms or packages may be put into a carton. 1.51.3.5. The Datafile (PACKING.XLS-HEIGHT) shows the number of stacks for each carton size. If there is more than 1, multiply the number of sets/carton by the number of stacks. 1.51.3.5. If there is more than 1 stack, multiply the number of packs/carton by the number of stacks. C. TYPE OF ORDER (NEW, REORDER, ETC) 1.2. The order entry system 10 will check to see if the Proposal is for a New order, Reorder, or Reference Order. 1.2.1. Skip to the appropriate rule, depending on the type of previous order: REORDER Skip to rule: 1.3. REFERENCE Skip to rule: 1.3. NEW ORDER Skip to rule: 1.4. REORDER 1.3.1. The order entry system 10 will compare the Proposal with the specifications on the previous order. Product Type of product Form Width Form length Fold length Ply Basis weight of any paper Number of carbons Method of fastening Location of perforations (horizontal and vertical) Affix Label Material Location Transfer Tape Reinforcement Patch 1.3.2. If any of the eleme | ||||||