PURIS: Adding Material Creation Functionality

Hey guys! Today, we're diving into an exciting discussion about adding material creation functionality within PURIS. This is a crucial enhancement that will empower PURIS admins to manage materials more efficiently. Let's break down the proposal, explore the details, and see how this new feature will make a real difference.

The Need for Material Creation Functionality

Currently, PURIS admins need to interact directly with the API to create new materials. This process can be cumbersome and time-consuming, especially for those who aren't deeply familiar with the API. To streamline this, the proposal suggests a new Material Creation Modal. This enhancement will allow admins to create new materials through a user-friendly interface, significantly improving their workflow.

Why is this important? Well, efficient material management is the backbone of any robust supply chain system. By providing an intuitive way to create materials, we're not just making the system easier to use; we're also reducing the potential for errors and ensuring data accuracy. Imagine being able to add new materials with just a few clicks, without having to juggle complex API calls. That's the kind of efficiency we're aiming for!

The core idea is simple: As a PURIS admin, I want a new Material Creation Modal, so that I can create new materials without directly interfacing with the API. This sums up the primary goal – to provide a more accessible and user-friendly way for admins to manage materials within PURIS.

Proposed Solution: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

To achieve this, several key features and UI elements are proposed. Let's walk through them step-by-step to get a clear picture of the solution.

1. New Sidebar Item: "Master Data"

First up, we'll add a new sidebar item labeled "Master Data." This will serve as the central hub for material management within PURIS. But here’s the catch: this sidebar item should only be visible to users with admin privileges. This ensures that only authorized personnel can access and modify material data, maintaining the integrity of the system.

2. Master Data View: Displaying Existing Materials

Clicking on the "Master Data" sidebar item will lead to a new view displaying all existing materials in a table. This table will include the following columns:

• Material Name: The descriptive name of the material.
• Material Number: A unique identifier for the material within the system.
• Global Asset ID (materialNumberCx): The globally unique identifier for the material, crucial for interoperability and tracking across different systems.
• Direction: Indicates the material flow direction (incoming, outgoing, or bidirectional).

This view provides a comprehensive overview of all materials, making it easy for admins to quickly find and reference specific items. Think of it as your go-to place for all things material-related!

3. "Create Material" Button

Within the Master Data view, a prominent "Create Material" button will be added. This button will trigger the Material Creation Modal, which we'll discuss next. The placement of this button is key – it needs to be easily accessible so that admins can quickly initiate the material creation process.

4. Material Creation Modal: The Heart of the Feature

The star of the show is the Material Creation Modal. This modal will provide a user-friendly interface for creating new materials. It will include the following fields:

• Material Name: A text field for entering the descriptive name of the material.
• Material Number: A text field for the unique material identifier.
• Global Asset ID (optional): An optional field for the global asset ID. This allows for flexibility, as not all materials may require a global asset ID.
• Direction (incoming, outgoing, bidirectional): A dropdown or radio button selection to specify the material flow direction.

This modal is designed to be intuitive and straightforward, minimizing the learning curve for admins. By providing clear and concise input fields, we can ensure that new materials are created accurately and efficiently.

Outcome and Acceptance Criteria: Ensuring Success

To ensure that this new functionality meets our goals, we need to define clear outcomes and acceptance criteria. This will help us measure the success of the implementation and identify any areas for improvement.

Outcome: New Materials Can Be Added

The primary outcome is simple: new materials must be able to be added to the system using the new Material Creation Modal. This confirms that the core functionality is working as expected.

Acceptance Criteria: The Devil is in the Details

The acceptance criteria provide specific, measurable conditions that must be met for the feature to be considered complete. Here are the proposed acceptance criteria:

1. The material list is automatically updated after creating a new material: This ensures that the Master Data view remains up-to-date, providing an accurate representation of the materials in the system. No one wants to manually refresh a page to see their changes!
2. Feedback for material creation is given via toasts: Toasts are small, non-intrusive notifications that provide real-time feedback to the user. In this case, a toast will confirm whether the material creation was successful or if there were any errors. This provides immediate reassurance to the admin and helps them troubleshoot any issues.
3. E2E tests are updated: End-to-end (E2E) tests are automated tests that verify the entire workflow, from user interaction to data persistence. Updating these tests ensures that the new functionality is thoroughly tested and integrated with the existing system. Think of it as a safety net that catches any potential issues before they make it to production.

Out of Scope: What We're Not Tackling (For Now)

To keep the scope manageable and ensure timely delivery, certain features are explicitly marked as out of scope for this initial implementation. This means we won't be addressing them just yet, but they could be considered for future enhancements.

The current out-of-scope items are:

• Updating and deleting of materials: While creating materials is a crucial first step, the ability to update and delete materials is also important. However, these functionalities will be addressed in a later phase. For now, we're focusing on getting the creation process right.

By clearly defining what's in and out of scope, we can avoid scope creep and ensure that we deliver a focused, high-quality feature.

The Benefits: Why This Matters

So, why are we investing time and effort into this new functionality? The benefits are numerous and will positively impact PURIS admins and the overall system efficiency.

• Simplified Material Creation: The Material Creation Modal provides a user-friendly interface, making it easier for admins to add new materials without needing to interact directly with the API. This reduces the learning curve and minimizes the potential for errors.
• Improved Data Accuracy: By providing clear and concise input fields, the modal helps ensure that material data is entered accurately. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the system and preventing downstream issues.
• Increased Efficiency: The streamlined workflow saves time and effort, allowing admins to focus on other critical tasks. This can lead to significant productivity gains and faster turnaround times.
• Enhanced User Experience: The new functionality provides a more intuitive and pleasant user experience, making PURIS a more enjoyable and efficient tool to use. Happy admins mean a happy system!

Conclusion: Moving Forward Together

In conclusion, adding material creation functionality to PURIS is a significant step forward in improving material management. By providing a user-friendly interface and streamlining the creation process, we're empowering admins to work more efficiently and accurately.

The proposed solution, with its new sidebar item, Master Data view, and Material Creation Modal, addresses the core need for a more accessible material creation process. The defined outcome and acceptance criteria ensure that we're building a feature that meets our goals and delivers real value.

Let's continue this discussion, gather feedback, and work together to make this enhancement a success. Your input is invaluable, and together, we can make PURIS an even more powerful tool for supply chain management. What are your thoughts, guys? Let's hear them!