Basics
This is your fist stop in using Merlin MRP 2000. Here you can familiarise yourself with the Merlin interface, which will help as you progress through the rest of this User Guide.
The Record Card interface of Merlin MRP 2000 is stunningly powerful, as you will find as you become familiar with the the software.
The screen-shot above of a Stock Record Card shows how the tab structure is used again, here to provide at a click access to huge amounts of information. (You will notice many features on this screen, but we will deal with them specifically in the Stores section.)
This layout is common throughout Merlin MRP 2000. Clicking a tab gives you the page containing the information indicated. You will notice the Notes Tab. Wherever appropriate, Merlin MRP 2000 provides you with an unlimited text area to make notes about the item in question.
At the bottom of the Record Card you will notice the Merlin Navigator, which is highly functional. The four buttons on the left will, respectively, take you to the First Record, the Previous Record, the Next Record and the Last Record. The fifth is the Find Button, which presents a dialogue screen for you to find a particular record, using a drop-down combo, so you don't have to remember the reference number (index key). You can click your way from record to record, without leaving the screen!
The next button along will, where appropriate, allow you to print a report. The fourth button from the right adds a New Record to the file and places the form in Edit Mode so that you can enter the details. Third from the right is the Edit Button, which places the form into Edit Mode on the currently selected record, so you can amend the data, where appropriate.
Second to last is the Delete Button, which will allow you to delete the currently selected record, where allowed. (The Merlin Data Guard will check and tell you if a record is protected.) Last on the right is the Close Button, which closes the form and returns you to the Command Centre.
When the form is in Edit Mode, the New Record Button changes into a Save Button, and the Edit Button changes into a Revert Button. These do pretty much as you'd expect. The Save Button saves your work, the Revert Button undoes your work if you have made a mistake, or want to back out for any reason, each then closing Edit Mode.
If you forget what a button does, just hold the mouse pointer over it and an explanations will appear. This feature is used elsewhere on Merlin screens.
Please note: in some instances certain buttons are disabled if they have no appropriate function on the screen in question.
You will notice that great use has been made of Windows convenience and time-saving features, with drop-down combos (see Supplier CODE above), spinners (see Default Supplier and Next Order From), check boxes (see STOP? and Schedule?), and, elsewhere, radio buttons.
Once you have absorbed this, and we hope it is largely intuitive, you will have mastered the practical use of Merlin MRP 2000. You will find many powerful features in this package, and what remains is for you to develop your strategy for using the system in a way that is right for you.
Viewing Reports on Screen
Almost every report you print can, if you wish, be viewed on screen instead. The screen representation is a facsimile of the printed copy, and a tool bar is provided for you to navigate the screen view:-
It is important that you do not close the toolbar by clicking the X in the top right-hand corner.
The five buttons on the left are used for navigating backwards and forwards through the pages of the report. The middle button in this group allows you to jump to a particular page number within the report.
The drop-down combo enables you to scale the view of the report to suit your monitor's resolution. The button to the right with the little doorway and an arrow is for closing the screen view of the report, and is the only way you should exit this display.
The final button with the printer icon is for making a hard copy of the report. If you choose to view a report on screen, it will not be printed unless you click this button.
You can Maximise the window if necessary by clicking its Maximise button in the top right-hand corner, but be careful not to click the X button.
Merlin Help
The Software Manual button appears on the Command Centre screen.
Clicking this opens this Merlin User Guide.
On some screens you will see a smaller ? button. Click this to get more information about the screen in question.
[User Guide] [OverView] [Resources Centre] [MarketPlace] [Design Office]