System-Level Documentation: Inventory Management Screen
System-Level Documentation: Inventory Management Screen
Overview
The Inventory Management Screen is a vital tool for monitoring product stock levels and managing inventory effectively. It provides a snapshot of key inventory metrics, such as stock levels, reorder thresholds, and supplier information. This screen helps users make timely decisions about restocking and ensures smooth supply chain operations.
This document provides a breakdown of the screen’s structure, field definitions, and the COBOL program that supports it. While primarily for developers, the content is designed to be accessible to IT executives and business decision-makers.
Screen Layout
Here’s how the screen appears in a typical 3270 terminal emulator:
---------------------------
Product Code : PROD123
Description : Wireless Headphones
Category : Electronics
Stock Level : 150
Reorder Level : 50
Supplier Code : SUPP456
---------------------------
Key Features:
- Live Data Display: Real-time information about inventory levels for selected products.
- Reorder Alerts: Highlights products approaching or below the reorder threshold.
- Supplier Linkage: Displays supplier codes for quick reference during restocking.
Field Descriptions
Each field maps to a corresponding column in the inventory database, providing clear visibility into product details.
High-Level Source Code
The COBOL program supporting this screen handles data retrieval, display, and user input for stock level adjustments.
1. Data Division
The WORKING-STORAGE section defines the fields displayed on the screen and their database mappings.
05 PRODUCT-CODE PIC A(10).
05 DESCRIPTION PIC A(50).
05 CATEGORY PIC A(20).
05 STOCK-LEVEL PIC 9(5).
05 REORDER-LEVEL PIC 9(5).
05 SUPPLIER-CODE PIC A(10).
2. Display Logic
The PROCEDURE DIVISION handles the presentation of inventory details, ensuring accurate and real-time data display.
DISPLAY "---------------------------".
DISPLAY "Product Code : " PRODUCT-CODE.
DISPLAY "Description : " DESCRIPTION.
DISPLAY "Category : " CATEGORY.
DISPLAY "Stock Level : " STOCK-LEVEL.
DISPLAY "Reorder Level : " REORDER-LEVEL.
DISPLAY "Supplier Code : " SUPPLIER-CODE.
3. Input Handling
Users can adjust stock levels and reorder thresholds directly on the screen. Validation ensures only valid entries are accepted.
IF STOCK-LEVEL NOT NUMERIC OR STOCK-LEVEL < 0
DISPLAY "Invalid Stock Level".
4. Database Interaction
The program retrieves and updates inventory data using SQL or indexed file operations.
Retrieving Data:
SELECT
DESCRIPTION, :DESCRIPTION,
CATEGORY, :CATEGORY,
STOCK_LEVEL, :STOCK-LEVEL,
REORDER_LEVEL, :REORDER-LEVEL,
SUPPLIER_CODE, :SUPPLIER-CODE
FROM
INVENTORY_TABLE
WHERE
PRODUCT_CODE = :PRODUCT-CODE
END-EXEC.
Updating Data:
UPDATE
INVENTORY_TABLE
SET
STOCK_LEVEL = :STOCK-LEVEL,
REORDER_LEVEL = :REORDER-LEVEL
WHERE
PRODUCT_CODE = :PRODUCT-CODE
END-EXEC.
Maintenance and Future Enhancements
This screen is robust but offers room for further improvements, such as:
- Adding color-coded alerts for low-stock items.
- Displaying additional supplier details, such as contact information or lead times.
- Integrating inventory tracking with sales data to forecast stock requirements.
Business Value
The Inventory Management Screen is a critical tool for streamlining supply chain operations. By providing real-time visibility into stock levels and supplier relationships, it empowers users to maintain optimal inventory levels and prevent disruptions. Its simplicity and reliability make it an indispensable part of the organization’s operational workflow.
Image: StockSnap from Pixabay
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