DBD: Order Processing - Alphanumeric Order Numbers
DBD: Order Processing - Alphanumeric Order Number Sequences
🔵 Overview DB Distributor is now capable of alphanumeric order number generation. Previously, order numbers generated within DB/d could be numeric only and allowed for up to 999,999 unique order numbers per division. This ability to use alpha characters when generating order numbers will allow a much larger pool of unique order numbers.
This is an optional feature, and its use requires that control parameters be enabled as described below.
Path: Order Processing, Setup, System, System Setup, Divisions
Order Processing Division - FMGMPB
The Two Control Parameters
- Enable Alphanumeric Order Number Sequences? — Check to enable
- Freeze Leading Digit of Order Number Sequence? — Check to enable
These parameters can be enabled on a per division basis. This allows the distributor to enable these features for certain divisions only and not others.
💡 Note: These two parameters enable functionality for all order number sequences present within that division. Up to 11 different order number sequences are currently supported for each division: Main Order Number Sequence, Release/Req Order Number Sequence, and Alternate Order Number Sequence 1–9.
How Alphanumeric Sequence Generation Works
If alphanumeric order numbers (parameter question 'a.') are enabled for a division, then the order number sequence generation logic will alter slightly. The next order number value is arrived at by taking the current order number value stored in the respective sequence number field and adding 1 to it.
If the current value in the sequence field is a number less than "999999" then the new value is returned as the order number. But if the next number is "000000" then alpha mode will be factored in and the next number will be "99999A" instead, and so on. The last possible maximum order number for a division in this case would be "ZZZZZZ". At that point the next order number will cycle back to "000001".
Freezing the Leading Digit
The first character of the order number sequences can also be frozen (parameter question 'b.') so that the sequence number generation logic will leave the first character untouched no matter what. This is to allow DB/d to coexist with other products that may generate and request their own order numbers. Such systems typically use an order numbering convention where the first character is a letter and is frozen (like "J" for DB Enterprise or "S" for DB Alliance, etc.).
💡 Note: Our recommendation would be to use numbers as the frozen first character when this mode is enabled within DB Distributor. We anticipate that this feature will be used by distributors that are subscribed to DB/e, DB/a, etc.
This setting effectively causes the order number sequence range to cycle the last 5 digits of the number only. For example, if the sequence seed value starts out as: 10-500000 (with the first char frozen) this will allow for an order number range of 10-500001 to 10-5ZZZZZ (39,135,393 unique order numbers). The next order number after 10-5ZZZZZ will be 10-500001.
Pool of Order Numbers Per Sequence
If first digit is NOT frozen:
33×33×33×33×33×33 = 1,291,467,969 (Ex: "000001" through "ZZZZZZ")
If first digit is frozen:
33×33×33×33×33 = 39,135,393 (Ex: "500001" through "5ZZZZZ")
Characters Used
The following list contains the characters used for order number generation (note that I, O and U have been eliminated for readability purposes):
0123456789ABCDEFGHJKLMNPQRSTVWXYZ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does enabling alphanumeric order numbers actually do?
A: Instead of order numbers being limited to 999,999 numeric values per division, once a sequence reaches 999999 it rolls into alpha characters (e.g., 99999A, 99999B...) up to a maximum of ZZZZZZ, giving a much larger pool of unique order numbers.
Q: Can I enable this for only some divisions?
A: Yes — both parameters (Enable Alphanumeric Order Number Sequences and Freeze Leading Digit) are set on a per-division basis in Order Processing, Setup, System, System Setup, Divisions.
Q: What does freezing the leading digit do?
A: It leaves the first character of the order number untouched no matter what, so DB/d can coexist with other systems that generate their own order numbers with a fixed first character (like "J" for DB Enterprise or "S" for DB Alliance).
Q: What's the recommended frozen character if I enable this?
A: A number, since this feature is expected to be used mainly by distributors also subscribed to DB/e, DB/a, etc.
Q: How many unique order numbers does each option provide?
A: Without a frozen first digit: 1,291,467,969 possible values (000001 through ZZZZZZ). With a frozen first digit: 39,135,393 possible values (500001 through 5ZZZZZ, for example).
Q: Why aren't I, O, and U used in the character set?
A: They're excluded for readability purposes, since they can be easily confused with 1, 0, and V/other characters.
Tags: order-processing, order-number-sequence, division-setup, alphanumeric, DB-distributor