Equipment Status in P17714

Hello,

When we change the work order status, the Equipment status is getting blanked out.

This is due to the fact that the "New Equipment status" is defaulting as blank in P17714.  If someone doesn't check this and click save, then the equipment status in F1201 will get blanked out.

Is there a way to default the "New Equipment Status" with the same value of "Current Equipment Status" in P17714, so that the equipment status will not get blanked out when there is change in WO status?

Thanks in Advance