Formulas

A Comprehensive User Guide, specifically addressing the Formulas & Scheduling section is available below.

Scheduling – Downloadable MS Word Doc

Adds a formula to the list.

Deletes a formula from the list.

Exports a CSV file with the table view contents (opens in Excel).  Applies to the formula list (upper) & the formula steps (lower).

Copy formula makes a reproduction of the selected formula and provides the user with a pop up box to enter the new formula code, differentiating the copy from the original.

Moves the selected formula step up one position

Moves the selected formula step down one position

Type into the box and the system will search automatically based on the menu selection to the right (click and use the pull down to select which column to search). Delete the text to remove the search.

Code

Code used as an abbreviated identifier for the description. Must be unique. If entering a code which has been entered previously and deleted, the option to restore the deleted formula will be provided with a pop up.

Description

Description used to identify the batch or product.

Units

Stock Units set as an output for the product or batch. Typically, a batch which requires further processing will be set to lbs or kgs. A product which is sold by weight is set to lbs, a product sold as a fixed price will be set to units.

Type

Batch or Product. Batch (default) is used for recipe formulations where batch production is required using multiple commodities. Product is used for the creation of finished products (consisting of batches, packaging or commodities or all). Products are used for case packaging (using fixed or variable weight and finished product labeling applications. Select ‘Type’ by clicking in the cell and using the pull down box.

Base Size

Used to define the quantity of 1 batch of this formula weighed at 100% (typically the sum of the target quantities of the formula steps). When scheduling production of this formula it is possible to define the size by the number of batches or the quantity required.

GTIN

Enter in a 13 digit GTIN and the check digit (14th digit) will be automatically calculated. Mainly used for Products instead of Batch selection and used as a label field to populate a finished product barcode.

Production Location

The default production location which a product or batch is scheduled to (and produced in). Useful when multiple terminal systems are deployed in large facilities where production takes place in several locations.

Expiry Days

The number of days a product or batch remains unexpired after the production date. If used in a batch, this can be used to prevent expired batches from being used in products. If used in products, the expiry days can be printed on the finished product label to assist with inventory rotation in the shipping process.

Run Time

The number of minutes used as a production time process estimate. Used to calculate the total amount of production time required to execute the batches in the production schedule

Min Products

Used in conjunction with base size, this specifies the minimum amount that can be produced in one batch, this helps the scheduling software decide how many batches (and what size of batch) would be required when the formula is scheduled for production by quantity required. This value is usually defined by the lowest limits of the production equipment used.

Max Products

Same as above, this value is usually dictated by the maximum physical capacity of the production equipment.

Batch Labels Qty

Defines the number of batch labels that are printed once a batch has been produced.

Label Set

Used to select a specific set of label designs printed for this formula rather than the default label set of designs.

Production Style

This defines the quantity of this formula is put into stock. “Calculated” will add up all the quantities weighed and stock that amount where as “Input” will prompt the operator at the end of the batch as to how much should be booked into stock.

Overhead Cost

This is the expected overhead cost to make one batch, used as a comparison in the production reports.

Labor Cost

This is the expected labour cost to make one batch, used as a comparison in the production reports.

Version

Each time a formula is edited, scheduled and produced a new version is automatically created. Production data is linked to the version used at the time of production. This field cannot be edited and is for information only. Its purpose is to ensure archived batch data uses the formula which was in place at the time the batch was produced.

UPC

Universal Product Code (see here for more details) this code is printed on labels usually as a barcode to help identify the product.

Op Mode

Operational Mode, there are 3 options available there are:

• Standard. The operator will be required to weigh each batch, each batch having it’s own unique batch number, at the appropriate size to be the production plan requirements.
• Continuous. The terminal will ask the operator to select the ingredient to weigh, this will continue until the operator decides to end the batch. Only one batch number will be assigned.
• Master Batch. The operator will follow the steps as per the Standard mode, once all the steps are completed the operation will repeat until the required number of batches have been met. This will be assigned a single batch number.

Sale Denomination

Redundant, no longer used.

Tare Mode

This affects container changes when producing finished products:

• Calculated. The tare weight takes into account the total weight of the packaging used in the formula.
• Prompt. The operator must put the packaging on the scale and the container prompt and the weigh the product itself.
• Preset. Set the tare weight at the value entered in the tare field of this table.

Approval Status

Cannot be changed, indicates whether the formula is awaiting approval or has been approved. Only formulas that are approved can be produced.

Warning Level

Used on the stock reports, when on hand levels drop below this level the on hand value will be highlighted in red.

Stock Location

Specifies into which stock location finished batches are stored.

Loss

Please see the Loss/Growth section of the document mentioned above.

Exp. Cost

The expected cost to make one batch of this formula.

Image

A picture of the finished formula can be stored in this column to be displayed on the terminal when a batch is about to be started. Click in this column to open a dialog box from where you can load an image from your computer.

Instructions

Text, usually instructions on how to produce this formula, displayed on the terminal at the beginning of the batch.

Batch Container

You can define a specific container (of type ‘container’) into which this formula is produced into.

Expiry Mode

The two options available are:

• Fixed. The expiry date of the formula is set at today + expiry days (above)
• Dynamic. The expiry date is set the earliest expiry date of all the commodity lots used in making the batch.

Tare

The tare weight of the finished formula.

Max On Pallet

Total amount of this formula that can fit on a pallet.

Unit Display Mode

When ordering this commodity on a purchase order this value will either let you order it in different units of measurement (when set to ‘All’) or just the units of measure specified in ‘Units’ above (when set to ‘Specific’).

MPN

Manufactuer Part Number (see here for more details), used to print as a barcode on labels.

Expected Weight

Redundant, this field is no longer used.

Product Of

Redundant, no longer used.

Protected

Only terminal operators with ‘Protected Formulas’ ticked under the privileges we be able to process formulas with this field ticked.

Default Schedule Qty

When scheduling this formula the quantity to produce can default to this value.

Total Weight

Displays the combined weight of the formula steps, providing all formula steps have the same unit of measurements and the software has been configured to enable this calculation to happen. Note, when enabled this can degrade performance of the software.

Physical Width

Defines the width of the finished formula. Used in conjunction with the dimensions of a stock location to stop the stock location from becoming over crowded.

Physical Height

Defines the height of the finished formula.

Physical Depth

Defines the depth of the finished formula.

Sequence

Formula steps are defined as Sequenced or None Sequential. Sequencing a step forces the terminal operator to handle a material in numerical order (1,2,3,4,5 etc). Sequenced Formulas are ideal when high volume batching is required, with no variation for the core formula. Selecting None Sequential as a formula step allows the operator the choice of adding a commodity to a formula in production, allowing the operator to specify the required quantity (if no target quantity is specified in the Target column). Effectively, None Sequential steps are useful for batch additions when a material may or may not be added, with the weight defined in a step, or left to the operator to decide. Select ‘Sequenced’ or ‘None Sequenced’ by clicking in the cell and using the pull down box. Use the arrow in the lower panel to change the sequence order if required

Commodity Code

Click the cell and use the pull down menu to select the required commodity code for the step.

Commodity Description

Commodity Description is automatically populated upon selection of the Commodity Code.

Lower Tolerance

The smallest permissible quantity allowed to be scaled for a step. If left blank, the production terminal will use the systems default tolerance. Click and enter the value into the cell.

Target

The required quantity to be scaled for a step. The system will use a speedometer dial ‘green zone’ to assist the operator in the completion of this step. Click and enter the value into the cell.

Upper Tolerance

The largest permissible quantity allowed to be scaled for a step. If left blank, the production terminal will use the systems default tolerance. Click and enter the value into the cell.

Type

The Step Type is used to determine the steps function:

• Weigh. Uses the Terminal scale input to drive a speedometer pointer towards a green target zone. Ideal for hand scaling operations. By default, the scale will make use of the commodity bulk quantity (if the commodity selected for the step has a bulk quantity specified in the commodities section). For example, if a commodity is setup with a bulk quantity of 50lb and the step target is 60lb the system will ask for 1 x 50lb bag and a scaled quantity of 10lb.
• Key Entry. Uses the Terminal keypad to enter in the required quantity uses for the commodity step. Ideal for none weighed items which still required input from the operator.
• Question. Uses the Terminal to prompt the operator with a Question requiring a response (predetermined or hand entered). To setup, use the Q&A menu.
• Message. Uses the Terminal to prompt the operator with a Message not requiring a response. To setup, use the Q&A menu.
• Change Container. Uses the Terminal to prompt the operator to replace the previous container with an empty one. Useful if ingredient separation is required. If every commodity step requires its own container, the terminal can be configured accordingly (contact SG Systems for setup).
• Submix. Uses the Terminal scale input of key entry panel to prompt the operator to add a submix to the batch. A submix is defined as a formula in itself, being added into another formula (blends within blends).
• Collation. Used internally, should not be selected when entering a formula step.
• Bulk Dispense. Initiates communications with a bulk dispensing system so allow the adding of bulk items.
• Optional. this allows you to define 2 or more options, for example fresh yeast or dried yeast plus water, multiple commodities can defined for each option and an individual option can contain further options within it. Please speak to a SG support representative for more details. Select ‘Type’ by clicking in the cell and using the pull down box.
• Component. For a product formula this indicates it is part of the formula that must be weighed on the scale (weights of all ‘component’ steps are totaled, this is the weight expected by the scale).
• Packaging. Items whose weight can be used to tare the scale when weighing a product.

Message

Auto populated upon selecting Message from the step type.

Cost

Standard commodity cost as setup in the commodities section. If a lot cost is not specified (when creating a PO) then this cost will be used by default.

Total Cost

Standard commodity cost multiplied by the required target quantity.

Time

The expected time taken to process this formula step.

Units

Defines the units the commodity will be measured in, defaults to the units that the commodity is stored in. Please not that the terminal will convert the target and tolerances in the correct number for the units that the scale is measuring in.

Location

Allows the step location to be specified if using multiple production terminals in different locations.

Neg. Addition

Tick this box if you intend to put a container full of the commodity on the scale and then remove the correct amount to be used in the mix.

Bulk Platform

This can be used to define a shoot or silo name for dispensing of bulk ingredients, to enable communication between the terminal and the automatic dispenser please speak to the support desk.

Loss

Please refer to the Loss/Growth section of the document mentioned at the top of this page.

Loss Type

Please refer to the Loss/Growth section of the document mentioned at the top of this page.

Sched Basesize

When enabled then component type steps of a product formula which are formulas in their own right and have the ‘Schedule’ box ticked then the standard base size of the formula will be scheduled. If this option is disable then the correctly scaled amount of the formula will be scheduled instead.

Auto Consume

When enabled the system will automatically assign the correct lot (depending upon FIFO/FEFO configurations) to be used. Mainly useful for less critically traced items such as packaging.

Requires Approval

Only operators with supervisor status are allowed to process steps with this option ticked. Use on highly prized commodities.

Moves cell down.

Moves cell right.

Hold down to select multiple rows.

Cancels transaction.

Edit Cell