Auto Numbering Overview

Vision includes an automatic numbering feature that automatically generates an identification number for new records created in many Info Centers and User-Defined Components.

You can define the structure of the identification numbers to match your business requirements. The Info Centers that use auto numbering are Projects, Employees, Vendors, Clients, Opportunities, Marketing Campaigns, and Equipment. You enable automatic numbering for records on the Numbering tab of the General System Settings form in Configuration > General > System Settings.

When you enable auto numbering for an Info Center and you enter a new record in the Info Center, the number field for the record prefills with [AUTONUMBER]. When you save the record, the next auto-assigned number prefills in the number field. You can change the prefilled number only if the Allow Override of Auto Number option is selected for the Info Center on the Numbering tab of General System Settings.

An identification number is also generated when you create a new record in any of the following ways:

• Click New on the Dashboard.
• Copy another record.
• Click the New button in a different Info Center (for example, add a new client from within the Project Info Center).
• Use a template.
• Copy an opportunity to create a project.

When you use automatic numbering for the Equipment Info Center, the automatic numbers are also assigned for equipment items that are automatically generated from Purchasing records and Accounts Payable vouchers.

The auto numbering functionality does not work when a project is created from a project plan because the project, phase, and task numbers must be mapped in Planning before the project record is actually created.

If Vision is set to create an auto number but, for some reason, is unable to generate one, a message displays stating that an auto number cannot be generated and you are prompted to enter one manually. This occurs even if Vision is configured not to allow overriding of the number.

If your firm uses multiple companies, you configure auto numbering at the system level so that it applies to all companies in your enterprise.