Main Menu

SIS 2000+ Food Services

Last update: 09/03/2000 jmm

Sec. 13d, Food Line Alerts 
 

Alerts notify when account or demographic/status problem are encountered in the Cafeteria food line. In most cases you have the option of proceeding with service. If a student Account problem exists and the system is unable to determine the correct account status, service will be recorded as 'paid/regular'. An Error Log may be printed at the conclusion of service to help research and correct any problems (under construction).

Remember, an Alert provides information -- it is not a program error message. Take note of the information displayed, then proceed with that individual's meal service. The account problem may be researched and corrected later.

Alert Messages and Details
An alert is two-part -- the Message, which is brief, and the Detail, which provides more specific information about the problem.

Alert Message -


Fig. 1 - Alert Message
 

Alert Detail -
To view the detail for this alert, click on the Help button, or click on the text of the Message.


Fig. 2 - Alert Detail
 
 

13d.1 Troubleshooting
The student account that triggered the above alert was not found in the local school. The search was expanded to district-wide by checking the 'D' box, which located the student.  Also try (from within the Search utility) expanding the search from Active to All, which will include all students, regardless of enrollment status.
 
 

13d.2 Interpreting Cafeteria Alerts
Each alert message is listed, followed by the detail and a brief explanation. Images are provided for the Student not found alert only (Figs. 1 and 2).

    The date of service is not within the effective date range of the individual's Account Status record(s). Locate the individual in Accounts and evaluate the status records (Account Status page). There must be a pay type with an effective date range that includes this service date.
    If the problem is corrected through an application, existing meal records will be corrected to reflect the correct pay-type. If status records are maintained manually, you must edit existing meal records to the correct pay-type (free/reduced/paid).
          Cafeteria Preference EXPIRED ACCOUNTS = INSERT
    No alert is displayed in the food line.  A Paid status record is automatically inserted into this consumer's Account effective as of the date of service.

    Account status not found
    No account status records exist for the individual specified

    No Account status records are present for this individual. Select Abort to cancel meal service, or Proceed using regular rates.
    Locate the individual in Accounts and evaluate the status records (Account Status page). There must be a status record present with an effective date range that includes this service date. If the problem is corrected through an application, existing meal records will be corrected to reflect the correct pay-type. If status records are maintained manually, you must edit existing meal records to the correct pay-type (free/reduced/paid).
     
          13d.2.4 Rate alerts
    Rate alerts are triggered when a rate for a meal or ala Carte item cannot be located. Research Rate problems in Food Service Rates (Sec. 4). Research ala Carte Item rate problems in Food Service Items (Sec. 5).

    Rate not found - ala Carte Item
    Unable to locate a rate record for the specified Item (consumer type + date). Rate may be expired or not in effect
     

    A rate is not present for this item and consumer. Search for this item in Food Service Items. If the Item is not present, create the item as per instructions in Sec. 5a. If the item is located, examine effective dates (if present) and item availability settings -- the locations and meals the item is available, and any consumer restrictions.
          Rate not found - Meal Item
    Unable to locate a rate record for the specified Meal (meal + consumer type + pay type + date).
    Rate may be expired or not in effect
      A rate is not present for this Meal or Meal configuration. Open the Food Service Rates module, locate the meal rate for this consumer configuration -- for example, Lunch + Student + Free + Date + Worker. If a rate for this consumer configuration is not present, create the rate as per instructions in Sec. 4. If the rate is present, examine effective/expire dates (if present) and School Exceptions for this rate.

    Service may proceed for this consumer. The meal will be recorded at no charge. After the rate has been entered or corrected, you will need to locate today's service for the consumer (Accounts/Meal page) and edit the meal cost. Do this by placing the account into edit mode, then click on the meal record. This will trigger a self-audit and correct the meal rate.
     
     

     13d.2.5 Balance Restriction alerts
    Balance Restriction alerts are triggered when an account meets restriction and/or alert criteria present in Cafeteria Policies, and optionally customized in Accounts, Settings. Also, how the Cafeteria module reacts when a restriction is encountered is controlled in Cafeteria Settings, Policies (Ask, Stop or Deny).

    Minimum Allowable Balance Alert
     

      Compares consumer account balance and meal cost to determine if funds are present to cover the cost of this meal.  Additionally, any ala Carte spending limits are evaluated (as present in Accounts, Settings).
     

      Fig. 3 - Minimum Allowable Balance, Cafeteria Policies = ASK
     

    Low Balance Alert
    Account funds are at or below the defined 'low balance' value
     

    References the Cafeteria Setting Low Balance Alarm, which may be Off, or 1, 2, or 3 (plus variations). The alert is triggered when the account balance reaches the amount to cover 1, 2, or 3 meals (meals remaining). Service may be allowed or canceled, depending upon the setting used in Cafeteria Settings, Policies, Balance Restrictions.


    Fig. 4 - Low Balance Settings, Cafeteria Settings, Workstation
     
     

       13d.2.6 Cafeteria Payment Alert - Payment amount exceeds $20.00
    Cafeteria payment entry is safeguarded against accidental entry of oversized payments. Incorrect payment figures are most commonly created by failure to Save the current transaction before entering the ID number for the next consumer. Since the focus is on the payment field, manual entry of the next consumer ID number is inserted into the payment field as a payment amount.


    Fig. 5 - Cafeteria Payment alert
     

    If a payment greater than $20.00 is recorded in the food line, an alert is displayed when the transaction is saved. The alert confirms that you are aware this payment is greater than $20.00 and should be recorded. Select 'Yes' to record this payment and clear the transaction, 'No' to return to this transaction with the focus placed on the payment field for correction of the payment amount.

    Oversized payments are most easily identified by printing a payment detail report. Once the consumer has been identified, access that consumer's account (see Sec. 6b, Account Payments) and edit the payment.

    13d.2.7 Cafeteria Payment Alert - Scanning not allowed
    This alert is triggered by scanning a barcode is scanned before the current transaction is Saved and cleared. Auto Save is 'OFF', which requires Save to be executed before the next card is scanned.

    13d.2.8 Additional Alerts / Accounts Settings
    Accounts module Restrictions, Alerts and Settings generate additional Cafeteria alerts for specific individuals.  See Sec. 6e, Accounts, Settings
     

       Food Item Alert


      Fig. 6 - Food Item Alert, text modified to show food item

     
     
      Lost/Stolen Card Alert
     

      Fig. 7 - Lost or Stolen Card
     
     
      Meal not Permitted
     

      Fig. 8 - Lunch or Breakfast not permitted
     
     
< Previous Section | Next Section >