You can download a PDF version of the training workbook by clicking here.

The workbook is intended for use during your initial training. It’s not intended to be stand-alone. Rather, it should be used to take detailed notes on how to do things. The taking of your own notes during training is an important part of the learning process. For this reason, this document just consists of placeholders for you to do that. There are no detailed instructions in here.

Your training usually consists of introductory background information, in a presentation given to you by your trainer, and then proceeds to take you through a sequence of hands-on sessions. The sequence starts from a completely empty system and introduces you to all the major procedures you’ll need to run your business through Match-IT. This workbook does not cover all aspects of the system, rather it just covers the essentials. However, once you've done this, the consistency in the way Match-IT 'thinks' means you can easily deduce how to do almost anything with only a few experiments (which you can do safely in the training data set).

The overall sequence is divided into several stages:

Stage 1 covers sales order processing. This involves taking orders and progressing them through to invoice. Material and resource allocation to jobs is left to a later stage. At this level you are just producing the paperwork to support the order.

Stage 2 covers BoMs (bill of materials). This is your first introduction to methods. Initially, you will only be concerned with defining the material requirements of your jobs. Once you’ve done this, Match-IT will automate stock allocation to jobs and you will be ready to learn about purchase order processing.

Stage 3 covers purchase order processing. This involves placing purchase orders and progressing them through goods-in and into stock. Supplier invoice handling is also covered. Allocation of this stock to your jobs is automatic but can be manually overridden if necessary.

Stage 4 covers routing. This is a more detailed look at methods. Here, you’ll learn about resources and how to use them to define the machines, people and time required to do your production work. Once you’ve done this, Match-IT will plan your work for you, automatically finding and allocating time on the machines and people required.

Stage 5 covers works order processing. This includes approving works orders, which prints the route card, logging progress, issuing and returning kit and logging product completion.

These stages provide the fundamental knowledge you’ll need to use Match-IT effectively. Where you go from there is up to you.

Note: You may find it useful to perform your training exercises using the training data set rather than your live one. Select File and check Use training data to switch to your training system.

Hints on Note Taking

The bulk of this document consists of a page per ‘action’ with a relevant screen shot. The actions appear in their normal chronological order. For each action, that is relevant to you, you should make the following notes:

What the action is.
What does it do and why do you want to do it?

When you perform the action.
What ‘triggers’ the need to do it?

How to get to the relevant place in the system.
Via the menu, or the diary, or by drilling down, etc.

How to perform the action.
In forms, include the fields that must be filled-in (in the screen shots in this manual, you’ll notice »chevrons« on the usual fields that need filling in).
What is expected to be put in the fields?
How to get to the relevant selection lists?
Include the buttons that must be pressed, the options that must be selected, etc.

It’s important to note that these instructions will be very specific to you, and how you choose to use Match-IT, and how its use fits into your operational practices. When you’re done, what you’ll have produced is your Match-IT procedures manual.

During the training sessions, an expert will show you how to do each action. Then you will be guided through doing it yourself, taking notes as you go, with help on-hand if needed. Then you will be asked to do it again, on your own, from your own notes with no help from anybody else. This will prove your notes make sense to you. If they don’t, the whole exercise is repeated until they do.

As you go through the sessions you’ll notice there are many fields in the forms that you do not need to fill-in. You’ll learn the significance of these as you become more experienced, for the moment just ignore any field you are unsure of.

The screen shots in the following pages only show the ‘main’ screens you’ll encounter. There will be many other subsidiary screens you’ll see as you go along. Their function will be obvious from the context.