The quick answer
A receiving inspection is built from three saved pieces. An inspection defines the data fields, the standards and the rules that compare them. A specification groups inspections and carries conformance rules, each with an action such as Return To Vendor. A specification context on the item ties the specification to a location and a transaction type. Review them under Quality > Setup > Inspections and Specifications, then on the item's Quality Specification Context subtab.
The screenshots show sample data. Person and company names are fictional. Use your own items, locations and people when following the steps.
This guide reviews records that are already saved. It doesn't receive a purchase order, fail an inspection or show the Return To Vendor rule being applied.
Before you start
In this example, Alex Morgan at Example Supply Co. reviews how MTR-310 Bilge Pump Motor is set up for receiving inspection at Reno Plant. You need:
- The Oracle Quality Management SuiteApp installed, so the Quality center tab shows its Setup pages.
- A role that can open the Quality setup pages. Creating or changing these records needs permissions on the Quality records, not just a role named Quality, so New buttons can be disabled without them. Menu labels can vary by SuiteApp version and role.
- An existing inspection, specification and specification context. The screenshots are from a 2020 release demonstration, so labels and layouts can differ slightly in your release. The Receipt From Purchase Order transaction type below reads Item Receipt in newer Assign Inspections filters.
01. List the inspections
Go to Quality > Setup > Inspections and click List Inspections. Each row is one inspection with its description, type, method, detail frequency and whether it is mandatory. Find Motor Voltage Check, a Quantitative inspection that uses a Multimeter.
02. Review the data fields
Click Edit on Motor Voltage Check. Inspection Type is Quantitative and Inspection Method is Multimeter. On the Data Fields tab, the data fields are the values collected during the test: Ground Lead Connected (Boolean) and Voltage Reading (Decimal). The fields are the first thing you define for an inspection.
03. Review the standards and rules
Open the Standard Fields tab. The standards are Pass (Boolean), Voltage UCL and Voltage LCL (Decimal), the upper and lower control limits. Then open the Rules tab. Each rule names a data field, a comparison and a standard: Ground Lead Connected Is True against Pass, Voltage Reading Less Than Or Equal To Voltage UCL, and Voltage Reading Greater Than Or Equal To Voltage LCL.
04. Open the specification
Go to Quality > Setup > Specifications and click List Specifications. Click Edit on Receiving MTR-310. A specification groups the inspections performed together for an item. On the Inspections tab, three are assigned in sequence: Incoming Visual (10), Housing Dimensions (20) and Motor Voltage Check (30), each with its inspection method.
05. Review where it applies and what happens on failure
Open the Contexts tab. Associated Items shows where the specification applies: Location Reno Plant, Item MTR-310, Transaction Type Receipt From Purchase Order, Transaction Frequency 0, Source/Destination N/A and Is Default Yes. One specification can be associated with more than one item.
Then open Conformance Rules. Each rule names an inspection, an Action and Halt On Failure. Incoming Visual and Housing Dimensions use Quarantine. Motor Voltage Check uses Return To Vendor. Halt On Failure is Yes on all three.
06. Open the Return To Vendor rule
Click Edit on the Motor Voltage Check rule. Sequence is 30, Inspection is Motor Voltage Check, Action is Return To Vendor and Halt On Failure is ticked. Open the Action list to see the other choices, Quarantine and Notify Supervisor, and the - New - entry for adding an action. Close it without changing the value.
An action is a value that Quality Management workflows respond to. Return To Vendor normally starts a vendor return authorization process, and only if a compatible workflow is configured, released and allowed to run. Shipping the goods and the vendor credit are separate steps, and quarantine also needs bins or inventory statuses set up. Don't read the rule as proof that stock moves.
07. Find the item's specification context
Find MTR-310 with Global Search and open the item record. On the Purchasing/Inventory tab, open the Quality Specification Context subtab. The row shows Receiving MTR-310, Receipt From Purchase Order, Location Reno Plant, Default Yes and Pre-Inspection Action Quarantine. Click Edit to open the Quality Specification Context record. It holds the Item, Location, Transaction Type, Specification and Pre-Inspection Action, plus Apply To Default, Vendor, Customer and Work Center, which limit where the context applies.
Check the result
- Motor Voltage Check has two data fields, three standard fields and three rules.
- Receiving MTR-310 assigns three inspections and applies to MTR-310 at Reno Plant.
- Its Motor Voltage Check conformance rule shows Return To Vendor with Halt On Failure ticked.
- The item's Quality Specification Context lists Receiving MTR-310 with Pre-Inspection Action Quarantine.
Common questions
What is the difference between an inspection, a specification and a context?
An inspection defines the data to collect and the standards and rules it is checked against. A specification groups inspections and holds the conformance rules. A context names the item, location and transaction type that trigger a specification.
In what order do I set these up?
Define the data fields first, then the standards and the rules that compare them, and save the inspection. Then group inspections into a specification, add its conformance rules and add the context.
What does Halt On Failure do?
It is meant to stop further processing after that inspection fails, and its exact scope can depend on your release. It doesn't move stock, create a return or notify anyone by itself.
Does a Return To Vendor rule return the goods by itself?
No. The action is a value that a configured and released Quality Management workflow responds to, usually by starting a vendor return authorization. The shipment and vendor credit are separate steps. Check the result on a real failed receipt in your account.
What does the pre-inspection action on a context do?
It records an action, such as Quarantine, on the inspection that the context creates. Stock is only held if a compatible workflow is active and your bins or inventory statuses are set up.
Can I apply a specification to only one vendor?
Yes. Entering a vendor or a customer on the context limits it to that party. Apply To Default applies it to the vendors supplying the item, still subject to the context's location and transaction type.
Why can't I create a specification or context?
Creating or changing these records needs permissions on the Quality records, not just a role named Quality. Without them the New buttons may be disabled.
Does this review prove that a receipt will create an inspection?
No. It shows the saved setup only. Compare the context's transaction type and location with a new test receipt. Editing a context doesn't create inspections for receipts that already exist.