How do I import work orders in Production Scheduling?

Article code: PSHDA02
Tags: Import, Work Orders, Set Up

Preparing the import files 

To customize Production Scheduling to fit your workflow, you will need to have work orders available. Work orders are central to how your facility tracks work requests from your customers. 

Please note that the first time you use Production Scheduling, you will need to import items before you can import work orders. Afterwards, you can import work orders anytime, as long as your items remain the same. If your items have changed, please remember to update Production Scheduling by importing items. 

When you have work order data available, you will need to import it into Production Scheduling. There are two methods to import work orders into Production Scheduling:

1. Manually entering individual work orders
2. Importing work orders in bulk by using a CSV file

Should you want to import work orders using a CSV file, please click here for the work order import CSV template.

1. Importing individual work orders by manually entering them

To manually enter work orders into Production Scheduling:

1. Click Manage data in the navigation bar
2. Select Imports
3. Select Import work orders
4. In the table, please complete each column. Columns with an asterisk (*) are labeled as required.
5. Select Clear data if you want to remove all data that you have entered in the table 
6. Select Continue and then Yes to import work orders into Production Scheduling

2. Importing work orders in bulk by using a CSV file 

To import work orders in bulk using a CSV file:

1. Click Manage data in the navigation bar
2. Select Imports
3. Select Import work orders
4. Select Upload data from file
5. Click Choose File in the pop-up window
6. Locate the CSV file that contains your item data
7. Confirm the first row in the file contains the column headers by selecting Yes
8. Confirm each column header matches with a field in Production Scheduling (e.g. the Work Order Code column should match up with the Work order code field)
   1. Select Confirm mapping when the column header matches with a field in Production Scheduling
   2. Use the drop-down list to select another field when the column header does not match with a field in Production Scheduling
   3. Select Ignore this column when you don’t want to include data from this column
9. Click Review
10. Select Continue and then Yes to import work orders into Production Scheduling Click Import  

Your work orders have now been imported into Production Scheduling. After importing work orders, you will see the Current work order count and Last imported timestamp. Also, you will see work order cards show up in the work orders list. 

Understanding each column in the work orders import template

• Work Order Code: This is the work order code.
  
  This will appear as “Work Order Code” on work orders and work blocks.
  

• Customer Name: This is the name of the customer sending the work order request.
  
  This will appear as “Customer Name” on work orders.
  

• Status: This refers to the status of the work orders (e.g. Open, Booked, Closed, and Cancelled).
  
  This appears as “Status” on the work orders and work blocks.
  

• Item Code: This is the item SKU/name.
  
  This appears as “Item Code” on the work order and work block.
  

• Units Expected: This is the quantity of items expected to be produced for the work order.
  
  This will appear as “Quantity” on work orders and “Expected Quantity” on work blocks.
  

• Due Date: This is the date that production for the work order is due.
  
  This appears as “Due Date” on the work orders and “Due” work blocks.
  
  
• Units Produced: This refers to the quantity of units that has already been produced for a work order. This is useful to keep the data up-to-date in Production Scheduling.
  
  This appears “Quantity Produced” on work orders.
  
  
• Description: This refers to any description you would like to add to the work order.
  
  This appears as “Work Order Description” on the work orders.
  

• Reference 1, Reference 2, Reference 3: This is any additional information that will help you refer to the work order.
  
  This appears as “Reference 1” “Reference 2”, and “Reference 3” on the work orders.
  

• Custom Work Order Field: This is any extra information relevant to the work order (e.g. waiting on material).
  
  This appears as “Custom Work Order Field” on the work orders.
  
  This will also assign a colored square icon to the work order. You can designate the color of the flag to the custom work order field in the “Settings”.

Best Practice Tip!

Frequently import data into Production Scheduling, especially when there are changes made to items and work orders. It’s good practice to work with the latest available data because this ensures your production schedule is accurate and realistic. Using accurate production schedules can make it easier for your facility to quickly react and adapt to rapid changes in labour and production. 

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 Related HelpDesk Articles:

• How often should I import data to Production Scheduling?
• What is the work orders list in Production Scheduling?
• What is the schedule in Production Scheduling?