Summary

Exolvo uses ranking rules to determine the processing order for records such as payroll rules, award rules and allowances. These rules apply to almost all entities, but deductions use different ranking rules so deduction ranking is explained separately. See Deductions - Details (i).

Ranking fields can contain one to six alphanumeric characters. Exolvo applies rules to these values to create the ranking order.

Standard Ranking Rules

Exolvo uses the ranking field to determine the processing order of that record. It compares each ranking field character in the entity records from left to right, and ranks them in the following order:

• Unranked or <Null>
• Blank (or the “space” character)
• Numeric
• Uppercase letter
• Lowercase letter

Exolvo processes unranked records first.

Numbers are ranked higher than letters. For example, Exolvo processes a record with Rank = 1A before a record with Rank = A1.

Numeric ranking begins with 0, so Exolvo processes a record with Rank = 01 before a record with Rank = 1 (which Exolvo reads as 10).

The lowest ranking character is a lowercase letter “z”. For example, Exolvo processes a record with Rank = Z01 before a record with Rank = z01.

If records have the same ranking, then their processing order is undetermined. Exolvo may apply a different order when you next process a pay. If the results from one process are used in a subsequent step, then your ranking must ensure that the records are always processed in the correct order.

Important: These standard rules do not apply to deductions, reports and spreadsheets.

Best Practice Guidelines

If you set up your ranking rules well, then Exolvo will process pays correctly and provide you with consistent results. Use the following guidelines when you set up ranking:

1. Do not use spaces in ranking fields because Exolvo ranks them before numbers and letters.
2. Leave room in your ranking system for additional ranking values. For example, set up the first diary rule with Rank = 10, and the second diary rule with Rank = 20. If you need to add any other diary rules, then you can easily rank them between the existing rules.

   Note: Exolvo may apply multiple ranking types in some situations, such as payroll rules.

3. Remember the following aspects of the ranking order:
   • Exolvo processes unranked fields first.

     Important: Deductions are an exception because unranked fields are processed last.

   • Exolvo ranks numbers before letters, and uppercase letters before lowercase letters.

     Important: Report group reports are an exception because letters are ranked before numbers.