Planning Options

The MRP window proposes several options related to the planning processes. The effects of these options are as follows:

Selection of external requirements to include in the MRP calculation:

It is possible to include in the MRP calculation:

•      Sales forecasts (and all the sales orders),

•      Only sales orders (approved or not),

•      Or only approved sales orders.

It is thus possible to perform several MRP and work load calculations in order to analyze the impact of each of these requirements categories on the production planning.

 Ignore S&OP inventory variations: inventory variations defined by the S&OP Disaggregation are not taken into account by the MRP procedure

Automatic split of long Work Orders: if the requirements calculation determines an order quantity greater then the maximum batch quantity specified in the item Parameters tab, the requirement is divided into as many batches as necessary to satisfy the constraint. All the corresponding work orders are generated with the same dates. If several machines are available, these work orders can be treated simultaneously.

Do not plan Work Orders during the lead-time: the lead-time specified in the item record corresponds to a “normal” time to produce or to purchase the item. If a requirement is planned in a time shorter than the lead-time, it will be impossible to meet the due date: as a matter of fact, the release of component work orders or the purchase orders should be placed at a date earlier than the current date. If this option is activated, the due date will be determined as the current date plus the lead-time. This can result in requirements not covered by orders between the current date and the lead-time.

Do not plan Work Orders during the time fence: the time fence is the time length required to manufacture an item (under the assumption that some of its components are available). If a requirement is planned in a shorter time than the time fence, it will not be possible to respect the due date. The release of component work orders or the purchase orders should be placed at a date earlier than the current date. If this option is activated, the due date will be determined as the current date plus the time fence. This can result in requirements not covered by orders between the current date and the time fence.

Operation overlapping: this option activates the overlapping of successive operations of a routing during infinite capacity scheduling and detailed scheduling. See below a complete description of overlapping mechanisms.

 Include Work Center safety time: this option includes in the infinite capacity scheduling the “Wait time before” time defined in the work center record. The operation is scheduled on the work center at its arrival date plus this time. This enables one to smooth the work loads on the work center.

 Lead-time calculated from routings: see below Advanced Planning Options.