Description

MAC-PAC's Common Features module -provides functions that are shared by multiple applications.  Three major functions provided are Reference File maintenance, Vendor Master File maintenance, and the Business Process Manager (BPM).  The maintenance, reporting, and inquiry capabilities provided support these three functions.

Business Process Manager. The Business Process Manager (BPM) function involves several subfunctions:

·     Event definition.

-     Events to be monitored by the BPM are identified and monitoring and processing options for the event are defined.  The information that can be defined for each type of event include how often the BPM should check for occurrences of the event, the management options for each type of event, and who should be notified when a specific type of event occurs.

·     Event occurrence detection.

-     The BPM Asynchronous Monitor monitors the system for occurrences of BPM events.  The monitor checks for specific BPM events at user-defined frequencies.

·     Event information extraction and user notification.

-     When a BPM event occurs, information about the occurrence is extracted by a user-created program or query.  The extracted information is routed to the BPM mailbox of the appropriate user based on the routing parameters specified in the event definition.  Users receive notification online that they have new event information in their BPM mailboxes.

·     Event management.

-     Users can review the event information that has been routed to their mailbox and act on the events using user-defined action codes.  Users can also add comments about the occurrence of the event and forward both the event information and the comments to the BPM mailboxes of other users.

Reference File Maintenance.  The Reference File maintenance function involves several subfunctions:

·     Initial load of the Reference File.

-     Reference File data requirements are identified and documented based on the applications to be installed and their required categories, optional categories to be used, new categories to be created, and the characteristics of the installation environment.

-     Reference File maintenance is performed to add the data identified above.

-     The audit trail report is printed to verify the accuracy of input.  Corrections are made as required.

-     The Reference File is listed to provide hard copy documentation of the data loaded.

·     On-going maintenance.

-     Reference File categories are maintained to satisfy processing requirements, system modifications, and the requirements of new applications installed.

-     The audit trail report is printed to verify the accuracy of input.  Corrections are made as required.

-     The Reference File is listed for reference purposes.

·     Displaying Reference File data.

Vendor Master File Maintenance.  The Vendor Master File maintenance function involves several subfunctions:

·     Maintaining vendor information.

-     Vendor data is added or changed, or the vendor is flagged for deletion.

-     The audit trail report is produced to verify input and provide evidence of changes.

-     The Vendor Master File is listed as required, to provide hard copy backup and to serve as a reference document.

·     Displaying (via online inquiry) vendor data.

·     Deleting inactive vendors using the reorganization program.