About Data Collection Data Elements
Data collection data elements represent the different pieces of information that can be collected as part of various processes. Data elements are set up as a code and description, and have an associated type. Types of data elements are boolean, date, lookup, numeric, and text. This allows a company to define data elements that specifically meet its data collection needs. For example, if a company wished to record the temperature of a facility, or different parts of a facility, a numeric data element with a code and description indicating it represented temperature could be set up.
Data Collection Lines
Information is recorded for master records. Because there is a wide variety of scenarios in which a company might want to enter data, there are many different types of master record that can be set up for data collection. These are: locations, customers, vendors, items, resources, zones, bins, work centers, machine centers, and maintenance assets.
Each master record has data collection lines to which data elements may be assigned. Data collection lines can be defined for shipping, receiving, and production activities. You can also set up data collection lines that are not associated with any activity type. Specifying a type of activity for a data collection line indicates that the line applies to those activities in which the master record is involved. For example, if we entered a production data collection line for an item record, we would be able to record information for the assigned data element as part of any production activities in which the item was specified.
The same data element can be assigned to different data collection lines for the same master record. If we wanted to record the same piece of information for an item whenever it was shipped or received, we could enter that data collection data element on both shipping and receiving data collection lines for the item.
Recurrence
Certain data collection activities may represent the monitoring of business processes. For example, the equipment that is used in a production activity may need to operate within particular parameters, such as temperature or speed. In such a scenario, it is necessary to periodically repeat the data collection process.
A master record's data collection activities can be set up to occur on a recurring basis. The frequency with which a recurring activity should occur can be defined by the user. Additional settings can influence the manner in which the entered frequency is applied to the data collection line.
Recurrence settings are used to generate additional data collection requirements for a particular data collection activity. If a data collection line is set up with a scheduled recurring frequency of 15 minutes, that line will be used to create a new data collection activity every 15 minutes.
Alerts
A key goal of data collection is to ensure that processes act according to defined standards. Regularly recording a facility's temperature, for example, will allow the user to see if it is currently too hot or too cold, and make the necessary corrections.
It is possible to set up alert groups that represent different type of issues with data collection, such as situations where a recorded value does not meet defined targets. An alert group is associated to one or more users. Once defined, alert groups are assigned to data collection lines. When data collection results are obtained that differ from expected values, the members of the related alert group are notified. Once notified, these group members can take the necessary steps to resolve the outstanding issue.
Alert groups can also be set up and assigned to data collection lines for missed data collection. If a pending data collection activity does not occur according to schedule, an alert will be sent to that group's users. This acts as a reminder to perform the expected data collection.