Two concepts are key to understanding how QAD Warehousing processes requests: triggers and confirmations.

Triggers determine when a task is released for processing. When in AUTO mode, the system processes engine workfiles automatically without user intervention. This is the most common use. When in MANUAL mode, you must start one of the engine processor programs in the Engine menu to process an engine workfile request. TIMED mode is similar to AUTO, but TIMED mode processes the engine workfiles after a pre-defined delay.

Transactions are confirmed in either single or two-phase moves. In single-phase, inventory movements are created and confirmed in a single step—the single phase.

In two-phase, inventory movements are created in one step—the first phase—and confirmed in a second step, the second phase. Between the two phases, the stock is marked as being booked out of the first location and expected in the second location; however, the anticipated inventory levels are only confirmed when the stock is confirmed as arriving at the destination.

As a general rule, a two-phase operation is a much safer way of ensuring precision in inventory management. Single-phase operations should only be used in special circumstances.