System Constants

System Constants, also called user constants, are used to define scenarios or calculations where a consistent or constant value is known.

Example: A System Constant is created for the labor burden calculation when producing a certain type of Finished Good. If the labor burden percentage is always 30%, a System Constant called "labor_burden_pct" may be entered with a "Value" of .3 and then referenced in calculations and user expressions throughout the system, including expressions used on Part Forms and Report Layouts, eliminating the need to store or code the labor burden percentage in multiple locations. The statement below indicates the expression that would be used to have the labor burden percentage for a certain Category of Finished Goods print on the item label accessed via Inventory > Item Master.

<<IIF(pr_caid=5,gu_labor_burden_pct * pr_stantot, 0)>>

Key:

  • pr_caid - Indicates the Category ID the system assigns when a new Category is added. In this example, the Category ID that was assigned is "5".
  • gu_labor_burden_pct - Indicates the user constant of .3.
    • The prefix "gu" must be added to the beginning of a user constant when it is referenced in an expression of calculation. It is not necessary to add this prefix to the "Name" field on the Edit User Constant form.
  • pr_stantot - Indicates the item's total current cost and is stored in the "Current Total" field located on the Item Master Costs tab.

Additional notes regarding System Constants include the following:

  • There is no retroactive or auto update option when using System Constants. If the value of the constant is changed, the system will use the new value the next time the constant is referenced or called by the user expressions or calculations containing the constant.
  • Another item constants can be used for is maintaining freight tables in Deacom, though this may lead to excessive complexity and should be considered and implemented with caution.
  • When creating a new System Constant, Web Services must be restarted before the constant can be used in calculations.

System Navigation

  • Tools > Maintenance > System Constants

Edit User Constant form

Opened via the "New" or "Modify" buttons on the System Constants form.

Field/Flag Description

Name

Displays the name of the System Constant.

  • Cannot contain any spaces.
  • The name will be referenced throughout the system and should be easy to understand.

Value

Defines the numeric value that will be used in calculations and expressions throughout the system.

Notes

Memo field used to store internal notes containing additional details about the record.

  • This information is not used when the constant is referenced by the system.

Active

If checked, this record is active. Only active records may be used in the system.