Processing Methods

MAC-PAC uses three modes to process information:

·     Online

·     Off-line

·     Asynchronous

Online Processing

Online processing is done immediately, while you are viewing the related screen.  For example, when you enter a new routing, the information is validated as soon as you press the Enter key.  If all of the information is valid, the Routing Master File is updated immediately.  Since online processing updates the database immediately, it is used for critical system data.  However, online processing requires the most resources.

Off-line Processing

Off-line (or batch) processing is performed in a separate step from the conversation where it was requested; there may be a considerable time lag between when the request is entered and when it is processed.

When you request an off-line job, the request is stored on the system.  When you are ready to run the job, you must submit the request for processing.  The job is then placed in a job queue and run when resources are available. 

Off-line processing is typically used for jobs that require a large number of system resources, access files extensively, or exclusively allocate files.  By submitting the batch jobs during off hours, you can ensure that online performance is not affected.  Reports, requirements planning generations and cost generations are generally performed off-line  Off-line processes are only performed when system resources are not required for online or asynchronous processing.  In some cases, the batch job cannot be completed while online and asynchronous processes are occurring.

Asynchronous Processing

The processing is performed separately from the conversation where it was requested, but the job does not have to be submitted in a separate step.  You can continue to use your terminal while the processing is done "behind the scenes."  For example, when you enter a mass change transaction in Design Engineering, MAC-PAC may need to update a large number of product structure records.  Rather than reserving system resources to perform this processing immediately, it updates the records asynchronously.  Typically, a message will be displayed on your screen when the asynchronous processing is completed.  Asynchronous processing is used for extensive input/output operations and jobs that require extensive printing.  For example, electronic data collection (bar coded) transactions are processed asynchronously.