Device Interface Using PO Number

Jobs can be requested on VCA devices (only) using the PO number on the order, in addition to by tray number or order number.

This is controlled by two options on the "Devices" tab of "System Parameters":

If the option "Allow VCA interface to use order PO#" is checked, then the VCA interface will use the following logic to determine how to find an order:

If the job number is <= 5 numeric digits, use TRAY number.

If the job number is <=8 characters, but more than 5 digits or has alphabetic characters, look up job by ORDER number.

If the job number is > 8 characters in length, and the "Allow VCA interface to use order PO#" option is checked, then look up job by PO#.

Note that if this option is checked, then any PO# entered that is longer than 8 characters must be unique among active jobs.  This is necessary in order for the device to retrieve the correct job (if two orders both have a PO# of 1234567890, and a device requests job 1234567890, there would be uncertainty as to which job was requested).

The option "Validate order PO# for VCA" causes the PO number to be required in order entry, and the PO number must be greater than 8 characters, and be unique among active jobs.  This would be used in cases where a lab wants to use an external number for orders, and wants to ensure that all orders have a PO number entered in this manner.