Example of authorisation rules using rule groups

In this company, high value purchase orders (over £10,000) have to be authorised by the Finance Director. Orders over £20,000 have to be authorised by the Finance Director and the Managing Director. Orders under £10,000 have to be authorised by the relevant department manager.

1. The following authorisation rules are set up:

   Authorisers	Lower value >=	Upper value <	Order originators	Rule group
   Account Manager	£0	£10,000	Accounts	0
   Sales Manager	£0	£10,000	Sales Department	0
   Finance Director	£10,000	-	Anyone	1
   Managing Director	£20,000	-	Anyone	2

   These rules mean that:

   • Orders up to £10,000, placed by the Sales department, must be authorised by the Sales Manager.
   • Orders up to £10,000, place by the Accounts department, must be authorised by the Accounts Manager.
   • All orders over £10,000 must be authorised by the Finance Director.
   • All orders over £20,000 must be authorised by the Finance Director and the Managing Director.
2. The following orders are entered:
   • Order A for £12,000 for the Sales department.
   • Order B for £25,000 for the Sales department.
3. The Finance Director opens the Authorise orders windows and authorises both of the orders. The authorisation status of the Order A changes to Authorised. Order B remains as Not authorised. As the order is more than £20,000, it must also be authorised by the Managing Director.
4. The Managing Director opens the Authorise orders window and authorises Order B. Order B is now authorised.