Order Entry Help

Order Entry problems are usually solved by running first OECLEAN then OEUTIL3.  If either of these fail when you run them, you need to reindex the problematic file(s), which the program normally will name.

Since Order Entry affects the Accounts Receivable files as well as the Order Entry files, when a problem occurs you may either restrict your remedy to the Order Entry files or you must include the Accounts Receivable files also - depending on what you were doing.  It should be reasonably obvious that only invoicing and recording a deposit from a customer affect the AR files.  Otherwise, the only affected files are OE.  Regardless, all AR and OE files are opened when you use the Order Entry module; even though an update may not occur, a search certainly will.

Problems that require reindexing files lock up your computer.  That is so you will not further corrupt the data files by continuing to process.  Yes, we are aware that the error message says "then press ENTER" and we are also aware that it fails.  All you can do is reboot your computer.
Here is a list of errors that usually require reindex:

These errors (normally) require only a reboot: If you get "Not a CSAM file", you should restore a backup.  It is possible to recover the file without restoring, but if you elect this, there is no way to determine how much of the damaged data file was recovered.

Since you're seeing this, you have access to the latest software updates.  Except when you fall into one of the following categories, you should start your troubleshooting by FTP'ing the "OE and PO" update.  Install it per the instructions on that page.
Exceptions:

  1. Your Order Entry or Purchase Order software is custom
  2. You use the Point Of Sale module ("POS")
  3. You use the UPS overlay
  4. Your Accounts Receivable module requires special features in Order Entry
To reindex files, go to the Master Menu and hold <CTRL>, then type the letter U.  From the resulting CHARTERHOUSE MENU UTILITY screen, select line 10 "REINDEX FILE(s)".
To run OECLEAN or OEUTIL3, go to the Order Entry System Menu using the full-access password.  In any "PLEASE ENTER YOUR SELECTION" prompt, type the letter Z and hit <ENTER>.  In the resulting "PROGRAM TO RUN" prompt, enter either OECLEAN or OEUTIL3 and hit <ENTER>.

If you run OECLEAN, always DISPLAY the output.  If you try to print it, it may send your printer into "Never Never Land" but if you display, your monitor will gracefully handle (almost) anything sent to it.  When the "OECLEAN DELETION LIST" displays, just <ESC>ape and then Cancel.  Now you will see a listing that says how many of which records OECLEAN wants to delete.  <ENTER> will delete the problematic records.  Except in unusual circumstances, the records that OECLEAN wants to remove are junk, so deleting them will not affect your data negatively.  One "unusual circumstance" would be a corrupt Order Header file.  That can cause records to be candidates for deletion when they should not be deleted.

So the word to the wise is, "reindex the OE files if you encounter an unusually large number of records to delete" when you run OECLEAN.  And always have a backup.

OEUTIL3 is normally used when there is a name change in the Customer file in Accounts Receivable.  In order to have the Order Entry system use the new name, this utility must be run.  However, it also fixes some "date" issues.  It also may fix a problem that happens "to this customer only".  Read the screen that displays just before OEUTIL3 runs, and also read OEFAQ
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