This chapter describes data collection activities used for both family and end-item planning.

Introduction to Data Collection
Explains the purpose of data collection and describes how to load data.

Loading Data from Other Sites
Illustrates how to load data from other sites and maintain it.

Loading Data from Non-QAD Databases
Describes how data from various non-QAD sources is loaded.

Maintaining Loaded Data
Describes how to maintain and change different types of data.

Operations planning consolidates and transforms transaction information from all company sites into a central repository. Family plans and operations plans use sales forecast and on-hand inventory quantities. Performance measurement reporting also uses actual production and purchase order receipt quantities.

Before you can calculate plans or print reports, you must load this information into the Enterprise Operations Plan module of the central planning site. The load generates records that summarize the original item numbers, quantities, and transaction effective dates at the time of the load.

In many respects, Operations Plan is a separate environment from other modules. Changes you record in Operations Plan do not update original sales forecasts, inventory balances, or other data. Also, changes you record in other modules do not update previously loaded quantities (unless you reload). This approach gives you a secure central planning environment.