Getting Started / Sample Settings

Before using the sample tracking module there are 2 settings that need to be set. Please talk to an Indigo8 Rep to walk you through the best way to use this area of the system.

1. Entering Sample Types

Let us know the different sample types that are used within your business. The sample types are used for tracking purposes in the sample critical path. 

These types will need to be entered in the main system > maintenance > sample settings

2. Entering Sample Critical Path

Let us know your sample critical path milestones. What we generally need to know is:The milestone steps such as "SMS PO SENT".. "SMS RECIEVED". Normally this is between 5 and 10 steps. 

1. It is best to keep your critical path as simple as possible - have only the major steps that you want to manage. The more steps you have the more steps are needed to maintain by all users.
2. The milestone step duration in days.  Please note Indigo8 tracks the durations based off the sample ship date. 
   
   For example, if it takes 42 Days for the "SMS PO SENT" step to be achieved - we then automatically calculate how long it will take to complete that step working backwards from the ship date - this then marks the due date of that milestone.  
   Ideally it is a good idea to put this on an excel spreadsheet & contact Indigo8 to enter this in the system. Below is an example.

Benefits of the Sample Critical Path

• Helps you manage what is late and what is one time to identify major issues that you need to take care of
• Helps everyone in the business have clear transparency with a live feed of how you are tracking with your samples - no need to keep versions of manual excel spreadsheets 

Steps to add the sample critical path

1. Need to ensure the new sample settings is selected

2. Click into the samples module

3. Click Settings on the top right corner

Click ADD to add a new task template such as Sample Critical Path (you can call this whatever you want) 

Click Add Task Item to add all the critical path steps in. Enter the dates under the Days Before Ship column.

Click Save once done. 

4. There is an option to re-label the tabs at the top of the sample tracking module to reflect a way to track your sample orders.

You can also control once a step has been completed which tab they should appear automatically under the column labeled When Completed Send To 

There is also an option to control the status of the sample PO under the heading Set Status To. This is quiet helpful if you want the sample PO to set to Completed once it has reached a certain step or task. 

Once the CP has been entered you are ready to create your first sample PO.