Knowledge Base > Part Number and Description Structure

Implications of different methods of setting up raw material parts

1. Size of the bar length contained in the part number and description

- UOM / UOP / Conversion:

Simply with the UOM as mm, UOP as length and the Conversion quantity always being the number of mm's in the length

- Ordering the material:

Order the material as the number of lengths you need

- Receipting material:

When the PO is receipted it is converted into mm, hence if you receipt more than one length it will show in stock as a collective number of mm, however you can receipt each length one at a time to make the individual batches of material that can be reduced as required

- Using the material on BOM:

(i) a specific length of bar might be required to make the top level part, in which case select this part number and enter the number of mm’s required on the BOM as the full length quantity.

(ii) If you know it is not going to be purchased as a specific length of bar, you have a choice of bars to use, but you would enter the most suitable one on the BOM. When it is taken through to a WO this can be changed to suit what’s in stock of similar lengths that could also used. To check what other lengths are available you can filter the inventory screen by parts of similar type and dimensions then check the active stock (N.B. Use the Grid Options to set the fields in the most user friendly way)

- PO shortage screen:

(i) Where the WO BOM requires a specific length the PO shortage screen, will show if there is not enough of that part number available and prompt to raise a PO for the total number of mm’s and therefore the number of lengths required.

(ii) Where the most suitable material part number has been selected on the WO, this might appear on the PO shortage screen as there is not enough in stock, however when creating the WO perhaps check alternative lengths that are in stock before deciding what item should be on the WO BOM. If there is not a suitable alternative in stock the PO shortage screen will prompt to order the BOM material.

- Issuing to WOs: The system will always look for the material specified on the BOM, hence it would be useful to have the WO BOM correct before issuing the material, which would be a planned issue, but you do have the option of an unplanned issue for different material if required. In the issue screen you will see all the different lengths available of different batches. It is possible to cut lengths and have shorter lengths in stock, so despite the fact the material part number and description show the length to be purchased in, the system will know how many mm’s are left of each

- Stock levels:

Unfortunately the total number of mm of the particular type, grade and dimension in stock will be spread across different part numbers, depending on the lengths ordered in

(i) Active stock column on Inventory browse shows the total number of mm’s physically in stock for that specific part, although the screen can be filtered to view like parts at the same time.

(ii) Drilling into each inventory part, the ‘stock status’ then ‘active’ shows the specific lengths that are available

(iii) ‘Stock Level Valuation Detailed’ report will show the specific lengths of all the batches in stock. As a housekeeping exercise it might be worth periodically writing off material which has gone below a certain length, so there are no large amounts of small lengths which affect the shortage screen etc.

2. Generic part number to cover the type and grade of part along with its main dimension, but not showing a length.

- UOM / UOP / Conversion:

The UOM cannot be changed after it has been created, so this is likely to be mm all the time.

For UOP and Conversion Qty. 2 Options:

(i) Keep the UOP as Length, but each time you order the part you need to remember to change the Conversion Qty to whatever the length is you are ordering, also adding the length you are ordering to the line notes of the purchase order

(ii) When ordering the part change the UOP each time to reflect the length being order rather than add to the line notes of the purchase order, so the order would read 2 x ‘6m length’, or 1 x ‘2.6m length’. The conversion quantity would have to be changed each time and new UOP created in List Maintenance when required

- Ordering the material:

The UOP and Conversion are saved against the PO so the system knows what quantity of the UOM to add to stock at the receipt stage. To order the part, add the generic part number to the purchase order then use the View Part button to change the UOP and Conversion qty details for this purchase order, and then add the length to the line notes if required. This causes problems if trying to order different lengths of the same part on the same PO.

- Receipting material:

Same as the previous method, when the PO is receipted it is converted into mm, hence if you receipt more than one length it will show in stock as a collective number of mm, however you can receipt each length one at a time to make the individual batches of material that can be reduced as required. It is essential the UP and conversion quantity are correct when initially saving the PO.

- Using the material on BOM:

On the BOM simply add the generic part number and as the BOM quantity enter the exact length of material required to make each top level part.

- PO shortage screen:

When using the one generic part number the system will look at the collective requirements from different WOs and compare this to the current supply of the part. If there is a shortage it will prompt to purchase. The main supply and demand of this part of a particular type, grade and dimension are dealt with in one part and no need to look elsewhere.

- Issuing to WOs: The WO BOM will contain the generic part number, and the issue screen will show all the different lengths of material to choose to issue from.

- Stock levels:

The stock levels of a particular grade, type and dimension are on one part number.

(i) Active stock column on Inventory browse shows the total number of mm’s physically in stock

(ii) Drilling into the inventory part, the ‘stock status’ then ‘active’ shows the specific lengths that are available