A method and apparatus for pre-
processing electronic data requests within the EDI subsystem layer and within the
order fulfillment application
system. An order interceptor, third-party Available To Promise (ATP) interface, pseudo-sales order
workbench, and the reject acknowledgment
system processes are provided within the
order fulfillment application
system to accomplish the pre-
processing. The order interceptor performs an asynchronous availability check before a sales order is posted. The result of the ATP check is stored in an ESO, and is applied during the posting process with
unique user exits. The result of the ATP check is also used to determine key information about the sales order, such as the sales organization, and division and distribution channels. The pre-processor uses business rules to determine if the ESO should be split into multiple documents for requests satisfied across multiple sales areas. The
Workbench provides a customer
purchase order view of the ESO that looks, feels and behaves like actual
order entry screens. The
Workbench also displays messages generated from the pre-processor describing why the ESO was held for review. After the condition is corrected the
Workbench re-executes the ESO pre-processor. This continues until all messages are corrected or marked reviewed. The supplier can decide to either accept the request, reject the request or accept individual line items.