Simulation characteristic
An order is included in the order simulation on the basis of a test characteristic in the order. The attribute identifier is:
Test attribute
$CB*TST
The attribute is 7 positions long. The maximum length of command reference fields supported is 10 positions. The remaining 3 positions are reserved for additional command instructions.
The customer can specify this attribute in one of the two order reference fields:
- BuyerReference
- OwnerReference
The customer can choose which field is used for the characteristic. The other field remains available for the customer's reference. A customer who wants to use both order reference fields in production for his own references must, in order to apply the order simulation, choose which of the two fields is “sacrificed” for the characteristic.
Order Instructions
By default one ShippingUnitID is created for each order, independent of the number of order lines, ordered copies and dimensions of the items. We simulate that everything fits into one ShippingUnitID, which gives the customer a clear expectation of the result of the order. In practice, not everything fits in a ShippingUnitID, so the customer can indicate in the order how many ShippingUnitID's CB need to create.
Test characteristic addition for more than one ShippingUnitID
This is optional and is placed after the test attribute with:
Cnn
Where nn stands for the number of ShippingUnitID's (2 to 99). For instance:
- $CB*TSTC3 => Test feature + request for 3 ShippingUnitID's
- $CB*TSTC05 => Test feature + request for 5 ShippingUnitID's
- $CB*TSTC15 => Test feature + request for 15 ShippingUnitID's
The maximum number of ShippingUnitID's to be made is equal to the number of copies ordered (i.e. 1 copy per ShippingUnitID). If more ShippingUnitID's are requested than there are ordered copies in an order, a ShippingUnitID is created for each ordered copy. No error message or warning is given.
Orderline instruction
By default, for each OrderLine, the number of copies ordered is also included in the ShippingUnitID as delivered. In practice, various scenarios are possible, as a result of which a different number of copies is delivered. The order simulation supports one scenario, a shortage ('manco') situation. The customer can indicate at the Orderline how many copies are reported missing.
Scenario 'Shortage' situation
This is optional and comes with the shortage attribute:
$MANCO;n
The customer can specify this attribute in one of the two order reference fields at Orderline level:
- BuyerReference
- OwnerReference
Where n stands for the number of ShippingUnitID's (2 to 99). For instance:
- $MANCO;1 => Request for 1 copy shortage with this order line
- $MANCO;5 => Request for 5 copy shortage with this order line
The maximum number of shortages is the number of copies ordered. If more shortages are requested than there are ordered copies in a OrderLine, then 0 (null) copies delivered are reported. No error message or warning is given. No new OrderLine for the missing copies is created. The intended situation is to deliver less than requested. Backordering is not supported in order simulation.