Work Order Options

Owned by Enoch Poston
Last updated: Nov 29, 2017
3 min read

Several work order options are available from the WOs menu. It's important to understand the differences in these options to determine which option best suits your fleet operations.

Standard Work Order

The standard work order program is accessed by selecting WOs > WOs from the RTA main menu (WW). This work order option is designed for shops that pre-build work orders and schedule service. Use it to create new work orders; edit, display, add to, and post to existing work orders; and schedule jobs for mechanics to clock onto in Paperless Shop. When processing work orders using this option, the sequence is as follows:

  1. Add header information (general work order data such as vehicle, customer, and priority).
  2. Add all jobs to be performed (work order lines).
  3. Post parts, labor, and other costs to each job and close each work order line as it's completed.
  4. Close the work order when all jobs have been completed.

Batch Work Orders

The batch work order program is accessed by selecting WOs > Batch WOs from the RTA main menu (WB). This work order option is designed for shops that input work order data after all the work has been performed. The look is similar to the standard work order but there are minor differences in functionality. When processing work orders using this option, the sequence is as follows:

  1. Add header information.
  2. Add a job (work order line).
  3. Post parts, labor, and other costs to the job.
  4. Close the job.
  5. Repeat steps 2 – 4 until all jobs have been recorded.
  6. Close the work order.

Standard Vs. Batch Work Orders

Differences

Here are some of the main differences between the standard and batch work order programs.

  • Sequence: Standard steps you through adding all jobs scheduled to be performed. Batch steps you through adding, posting to, and closing one job at a time.
  • Guidance: Standard guides you through adding the header and work order lines and stops there. At this point, you would exit the work order and return to it after the work has been completed to post the costs. Batch guides you through the entire process of building and processing the work order. There is no deviating from the orderadd header, add job, post to job, close job, repeat as needed, close the work order.
  • Display Open WOs: When creating new work orders, standard displays open work orders for a vehicle, giving you the option to add to it or create a new one. Batch assumes there are no open work orders (since data is input after work is complete); therefore, it doesn't check for open work orders. If an open work order did exist, it won't be displayed during the batch work order process.
  • Display Deferred Jobs: When adding a work order line, standard displays deferred jobs for a vehicle, giving you the option of adding any deferred jobs to the work order. Batch assumes there are no deferred jobs (since data is input after work is complete); therefore, deferred jobs, if any, are not displayed.

Similarities

Other than the differences listed above, the standard and batch work order programs look and function identically. For example, when posting parts or labor, the process is the same. Both options fully integrate with the other modules in RTA, write to work order transaction reports, and update vehicle costs and history.
NOTE: Because of the similarities between the two work order programs, batch work orders will not be documented separately in this manual. Any differences between the two programs will be noted in that section.

Miscellaneous Work Orders

The miscellaneous work order program is accessed by selecting WOs > Misc WOs from the RTA main menu (WM). This option allows costs to be posted to vehicles and vehicle history without having to add work orders. It is designed to track vehicle costs for quick and miscellaneous items done such as a vehicle wash.
This option posts costs to vehicles (STVF) and writes a history transaction (RRV). It does not create a work order or work order transaction; therefore, if the item posted is billable, it should not be posted through Misc WOs. Refer to "Miscellaneous Work Orders" for additional information.