The information in this section applies only to those users that utilizing AnyPO in conjunction with AnyBook (publishing business software) or AnyOrder (general invoicing and ordering software).  If you are using AnyPO by itself, you can skip this information.

The following information may helpful if you are using AnyPO in conjunction with AnyBook or AnyOrder.  To help make the flow go a little better in the discussion below, we'll often refer to AnyBook or AnyOrder as the "core program."

Familiar Territory

AnyPO operates much the same way as either AnyBook or AnyOrder.  It has the same familiar interface, the same way of accessing pop-up menus, similar menu structures, and many other features that you'll recognize.  You should be able to get started using AnyPO with little preparation.  However, there are some differences which you'll want to take into consideration as you work with the program.

Starting AnyPO

AnyPO can be reached by selecting OTHER TASKS >> PURCHASE ORDERS  from the Main Invoice Screen in either AnyBook or AnyOrder.  You can also run AnyPO by itself without going through the core program.  To do so, click on the Windows "Start" button on the lower left of your screen and select "AnyPO" from the list under the program group of AnyBook or AnyOrder.

Set-up Values

AnyPO has a number of its own basic set-up values which are kept in a file named POSetUp.dbf.  It also, however, uses set-up values from the core program (which are kept in BSetUp.dbf).  For example, it obtains all of its networking information from the core program.  Thus, if your core program is networked, then AnyPO will be networked.

Product Information Database vs. Stock Ordering Database

The core program (the main part of AnyBook or AnyOrder) uses the Product Information Database to store all of the products that you sell.  When you use the Pop-up list to enter items on an invoice, the products that you see on list come from the Product Information Database.

AnyPO has a similar database.  It's called the Stock Ordering Database (or simply the Stock Database).  This database is used to store all the products that you buy.  Or, in other words, the Stock Ordering Database holds products that you order from your suppliers.

Although they are two separate databases, they are closely related.  If you do a lot of re-selling (buying products from suppliers then re-selling them), then your Stock Ordering Database and Product Information Databases will be nearly identical.  On the other hand, if you are a manufacturer or book publisher then your Stock and Product Databases may be considerably different.  The Stock Database may be used for ordering supplies and materials while the Product Information Database includes your finished products.

If you are in a situation where many of the products in the two databases are the same, AnyPO has built in tools so that you can copy records from one database to the other.  That's found in the Stock Ordering Database Screen (STOCK TOOLS and STOCK ORDERING AND PRODUCT DATABASE).  There you'll find a "Copy Record" button that allows you to copy a product and its information from the Stock Ordering Database to the Product Information Database in the core program.

Conversely, you can copy products from the Product Information Database to the Stock Database.  That's done by using the "L" (List) button alongside "Your Catalog #".  The L-button brings up a pop-up list of products in the Product Information Database.  By selecting from the list, the product is move into the Stock Database.

Category Database

As you know from using AnyBook or AnyOrder, you can group products that you sell into different categories.  (This is found in the Product Information Database in the core program.)  You can also do the same thing for products that you order.  It's optional, but if you order lots of products, it may be helpful to organize them in different groupings.  AnyPO maintains its own category database (POCat.dbf).  It's different than the category database (Category.dbf) found in the core program.  That arrangement allows you to set up separate--or similar groupings--for your stock ordering database depending upon your needs.

Customer Information Database vs. Vendor Database

The core program uses the Customer Information Database to store customers that you sell to.  When you click on the "L" button beside Cust # on the Main Invoice Screen, the records in the Customer Database appear in the pop-up list.  When you select from the list, the customer's name and address is pasted in place on the invoice.

AnyPO's equivalent is something called the Vendor Database.  Although similar in structure to the Customer Database, it's for a completely different purpose.  It is used to store all of your suppliers.  If, for example, you buy copy paper from Main Street Office Suppliers, then Main Street Office Suppliers will be in your Vendor Database.  Or, if you buy fruit cakes from General Mills and re-sell the fruit cakes to your vendors, General Mills would be in Vendor Database.  The Vendor Database is reached in AnyPO by selecting OTHER TASK and VENDOR ADDRESSES AND NUMBERS.