Initial setup and data preparation

Data must be maintained as new Master data becomes available, as various system operating parameters change, and so on. The standard approach for NAV data entry allows records to be entered that have just enough information to define the primary key fields, but not necessarily enough to support processing. This allows a great deal of flexibility in the timing and responsibility for entry and completeness of new data. This approach applies to both setup data entry and ongoing production transaction data entry.

This system design philosophy allows initial and incomplete data entry by one person, with validation and completion to be handled later by someone else. This works because often data comes into an organization on a piecemeal basis.

For example, a sales person might initialize a new customer entry with name, address, and phone number, entering just that data to which they have easy access. At this point, there is not enough information recorded...