7.3.1.�Create New Project

Projects can be created manually or automatically, depending on your needs. To have Projects created automatically whenever a new Sales Order or Quote is entered, choose the appropriate setting in your system-level configuration. Otherwise, Projects will be created manually. Once created, Projects can be linked to Sales Orders, Work Orders, and Purchase Orders.

To create a new Project, select the "New Project" option. The following screen will appear:

Create New Project

When creating a new Project, you are presented with the following options:

Number

Enter a code to identify the Project.

Name

Enter a brief name to identify the Project.

Description

Enter a description to identify the Project.

Status

Specify one of the following statuses to characterize the Project:

Concept: Use this status to indicate the Project has not yet begun.
In-Process: Use this status to indicate the Project is in-process.
Complete: Use this status to indicate the Project is complete.

Note

Projects generated automatically when a new Sales Order or Quote is entered will be assigned the status "Undefined" at first. To remove this initial status, simply edit a Project and assign an appropriate status to it.

Types of Orders that may be assigned to this Project

Specify which of the following Order types can be linked to the Project.

Sales Orders: Select to indicate Sales Orders may be linked to the Project.
Work Orders: Select to indicate Work Orders may be linked to the Project.
Purchase Orders: Select to indicate Purchase Orders may be linked to the Project.

Tasks

Displays any Tasks associated with the Project.

To the far right of the screen, the following buttons are available:

CANCEL: Closes the screen, returning you to the application desktop.
SAVE: Creates the new Project and adds it to the master list of Projects.
PRINT: Prints a copy of the Task list.
NEW: Opens screen for creating a new Task.
EDIT: Enables you to edit highlighted Task. The edit screen is the same as that for creating a new Task—except that when editing, the fields will contain Task information. Double-clicking on a Task will also bring you to the editing screen.
VIEW: Highlight a Task and then select this button to reach a read-only view of the "Edit" screen.
DELETE: Highlight a Task and then select this button to remove the Task from the master list.

To create a new Task, select the NEW button. The following screen will appear:

Create New Task

When creating a new Task, you are presented with the following options:

Number

Enter a code to identify the Task.

Name

Enter a brief name to identify the Task.

Status

Specify one of the following statuses to characterize the Task:

Concept: Use this status to indicate the Task has not yet begun.
In-Process: Use this status to indicate the Task is in-process.
Complete: Use this status to indicate the Task is complete.

Description

Enter a description to identify the Task.

Hours

Specify the number of hours associated with the Task using the following fields:

Budgeted: Enter the number of hours budgeted for the Task. This information may be saved and updated later.
Actual: Enter the actual number of hours consumed performing the Task. This information may be saved and updated later.
Balance: Displays the difference between the budgeted and actual hours.

Expenses

Specify the Expenses associated with the Task using the following fields:

Budgeted: Enter the total Expenses budgeted for the Task. This information may be saved and updated later.
Actual: Enter the actual Expenses incurred while performing the Task. This information may be saved and updated later.
Balance: Displays the difference between the budgeted and actual Expenses.

To the far right of the screen, the following buttons are available:

CANCEL: Closes the screen, returning you to the previous screen.
SAVE: Creates the new Task and adds it to the Project's list of Tasks.

To add Comments related to a Project, select the "Comments" tab. The following screen will appear:

Comments Added to Project

When adding Comments related to a Project, you are presented with the following options:

Comments: Display lists Comments for the specified Project.

To the far right of the screen, the following buttons are available:

NEW: Opens screen for creating a new Comment.
VIEW: Highlight a Comment and then select this button to reach a read-only view of the Comment.

To create a Project Comment, select the NEW button. The following screen will appear:

Create New Comment

Comment Type: Specify one of the following Comment Types from the drop-down list: ChangeLog or General. Comment Types are used to categorize Comments. Once you have specified a Comment Type, you may type your Comment in the main text area. The text area features word-wrapping and scroll-bar support for longer Comments.

To the far right of the screen, the following buttons are available:

CANCEL: Closes the screen without creating a new Comment, returning you to the previous screen.
SAVE: Creates the Comment and adds it to the list of Project Comments.