The information in this FAQ applies to the following:

• ProHelp® EPM, Releases 5.2.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.0, 5.1.0, 5.0.0

Labor Time is the amount of labor time in seconds calculated for the shift. It is the product of an amount of time and a labor factor.

Two System Configuration values (on the Labor tab) are used to determine the calculations used for Labor Time for IMACs. The first specifies whether Total Time or Run Time will be used. The second specifies one of three calculation modes:

• Based on Standard From Process Sheet

At the end of a shift, the Process Sheet's Labor Factor is multiplied by the appropriate amount of time. This data is entered automatically by the poller. This is the option most used by customers and is the only option available for MIUs.
• Based on Actual Factor Calculated from IMAC Operator ID entries

At the end of a shift, the Composite Factor (see below) from operator ID entries at the IMAC is multiplied by the appropriate amount of time. This data is entered automatically by the poller.
• Disabled

No entries are made automatically. Presumably a user would use the Labor and IDs Edit Facility to manually enter this data.

The Composite Factor used above is calculated as the sum of the reciprocals of the machines worked factor entered at an IMAC.

As an example, suppose two people are working at a machine. One is a dedicated operator (who will enter the number of machines worked as 1) and the second is a packing person who works at two machines (who will enter the number of machines worked as 2). The Composite Factor for this machine is 1/1 + 1/2 = 1.5. Therefore, the Labor Factor for this machine is 1.5 times Total Time (or Run Time).

Thus, when the System Configuration option Automatic Labor Hours Set is configured for Based on Actual Factor Calculated from IMAC Operator ID Entries, operators must specify the number of machines they are working when they login. This functionality is not available with MIUs. To handle all unsual circumstances (e.g., a machine shutting down, operator going home early, etc), the user can utilize the Labor and IDs Edit Facility.