About multiple numbering series

Each number series is defined by parameters set on the Number series (CS201010) window.
The system uses the following parameters to calculate the numbers it assigns to new objects:

• Start number
  The number to be used first in this number series.
• Last number
  The number most recently assigned to an object in this number series.
  Each time the system assigns a number to a new object, it updates this value.
• Numbering step
  The increment used in the number series to generate the next number; for each new number, this increment is added to the rightmost numerical portion of the last number used.
• End number
  The number to be used last in this number series.

You can set other parameters on the window, too, such as the following:

• Start date
  The date when this sequence will take effect.
  For sequences that include subsequences, you can specify the date when each subsequence first becomes effective.
• New number symbol
  An alphanumeric string (of up to 15 characters) used to indicate that a new number for an object will be assigned.
• Warning number
  The minimum number that generates a warning that available numbers will be used up soon.
  When this number (and each number that exceeds it) is assigned, the system displays a warning.
  If the end number is near or has been reached for a number series, you should create a new sequence in the appropriate workspace and assign it to this object type.

Visma Net generates numbers or object IDs for a number series as alphanumeric strings.
The precise format of the numbers is defined by the number series parameters, such as the start number and the end number, set on the Number series window.
The same number of characters must be used for all parameters in a number series; the system issues a warning if the format of any parameter differs.

A number series may have numbers that start with a prefix, an alphanumeric string that ends in an alphabetic character.
The system automatically detects a prefix in the start number when alphabetic characters are used.
If a prefix is used, auto-numbering is applied to only the rightmost numeric positions.
The same prefix must be used for the start, warning, and end numbers.

Suppose, for example, that you want to create sequences to automatically assign meaningful IDs to sales orders of different types.
For different order types, different two-letter abbreviations are used. For general sales orders (the SO type), you might set the start number as S0000001, the warning number as S0995000, and the end number as S0999999. For cash sales orders, you might set the start number, warning number, and end number as CS000001, CS997000, and CS999999, respectively. Note that all these numbers use the same prefix followed by six digits.

A number series may consist of any number of sequences or subsequences, each intended for a different branch or starting on a specific date.
Subsequences can be helpful when, for example, an organisation uses different invoice numbers in each season of the year.
If the organisation has branches, it is convenient when document reference numbers indicate a specific branch of origin by a branch-specific prefix or range of numbers.

Each subsequence is defined by a branch, start date, start number, end number, numbering step, and start date.
Numbers are assigned as follows:

1. The first new object is assigned the start number depending on the branch and the start date.
   (The start number is also assigned to the last used number.)
2. The rightmost numerical portion of the second number and subsequent numbers for the same branch is equal to that of the last number plus the numbering step.
   The last number value is updated.
3. When the start date specified for any subsequence occurs, the system switches to using that subsequence.

The numbers available in one subsequence cannot be used in another subsequence of the same sequence.

Follow these tips when you define number series:

• Objects get numbers in the order in which they are created.
  Thus, if you use the same number series to identify objects of different types, successive numbers can be assigned to objects of different types.
  The disadvantage of this approach is that objects' IDs won't help you distinguish between their types.
• If you use similar number series for different document or objects that might be listed on the same window, duplicate numbers may occur, which could confuse users.
  It is better to define a number series so that the start number of one sequence exceeds the end number of the previous one, or to use different prefixes for each number series.
  These approaches ensure that duplicate numbers will not occur.