A possible workaround, if you have the configurator available, would be to make part QWE a configurable part and ask which material to use to make the part in the configurator screen. This of course is done in Order Entry and not directly on jobs, so if part QWE isn't an order line it might not work for you. However, I thought I would throw it out there.
In our product we have alternate materials that can be used to produce the product. For instance we have parts that one of the materials may be plastic or metal or one version vs. another, we use the configurator to make that determination based on a number of factors including the customer preference, pricing class, etc. For us, it works quite well.
Essentially you build a "Super BOM" for part QWE with all of the possible materials that could be used, then have "keep when" statements based on selections in the configurator, then the configurator adjusts the materials and processes accordingly.
In our product we have alternate materials that can be used to produce the product. For instance we have parts that one of the materials may be plastic or metal or one version vs. another, we use the configurator to make that determination based on a number of factors including the customer preference, pricing class, etc. For us, it works quite well.
Essentially you build a "Super BOM" for part QWE with all of the possible materials that could be used, then have "keep when" statements based on selections in the configurator, then the configurator adjusts the materials and processes accordingly.
--- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "vistapdmmatt" <mh@...> wrote:
>
> I've submitted an Enhancement Request
>
>
> --- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "vistapdmmatt" <mh@> wrote:
> >
> > Kerry,
> >
> > The material would be choosen by a planner before the job is released to the floor. The decision is made based on a number of factors such as customer's need and resource avaialbaility.
> > Yes, both materials may be in-stock at the same time. We would not switch between materials during an on-going job.
> > The process does not change, just the raw material.
> >
> > What I'd really like is to have 1 method that has the material setup as the "default" material or something. Then at the time of job creation, I'd like to be able to switch the material. I realize that I can actually do this, but I want a quick an easy way to say that Part QWE can only be made from a particular set of parts, rather than having to look though all of the parts. Does this make sense?
> >
> > I want the material setup like a printer on a computer. Most of the time I use printer 123, but every once in a while, I'm going to use print XYZ.
> >
> > I do not want to create Alternative Methods because it creates a lot more work. If the default method gets changed (i.e. comments or something), then all the alternate methods need the same changes made.
> >
> > Thanks for your suggestions. I'm going to think about the phantom assembly idea a little.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Matt
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "Kerry_Muntz" <kerry_muntz@> wrote:
> > >
> > > How does your company choose between the two materials? Is it just a matter of whichever one is in stock? Will you ever have stock of both raw materials, and if so, how do you wish to choose which one to use? Are any processes different between the usages of each material?
> > >
> > > It sounds like you have some product that it would be a bad idea to use one of the raw materials for? If so you must have some rules about that. Are both raw materials purchased?
> > >
> > > How often will it be necessary to switch materials?
> > >
> > > Sorry, more questions than answers right now, but here's some ideas: One thing we have done is to create a bom to effectively convert one raw material from one type to another. This was particularly useful when we would usually purchase item XYZ, but in times of shortage we could "manufacture" XYZ ourselves, from raw material ABC. Sometimes this would be a true manufacture (eg cutting extrusion to length) but other times it was effectively a phantom assembly. This is useful in that you can very clearly segregate which boms could use the phantom.
> > >
> > > For other substitutions we've done bom changes to the temporary (set to run out) material, with sufficient comments to know that on run out, to change back to the original material.
> > >
> > > Another tool we've done is to have sufficient part descriptions, such that it was easy for procurement to know that parts could at a pinch be used due to similarity.
> > >
> > > --- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "vistapdmmatt" <mh@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I'm wondering of someone can help with this scenario.
> > > >
> > > > I have 2 raw materials...ABC123 and XYZ123. Both of these materials can be used to make Part QWE.
> > > >
> > > > I don't think I can use part substitutions because neither parts will always be a substitue for the other.
> > > >
> > > > Is there a way to setup Part QWE to use either of these materials? The catch is that I don't want to use an Alternative Method because the method is complicated. If one method changes, then I'd have to update both methods.
> > > >
> > > > Thoughts?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > >
> > > > Matt
> > > >
> > >
> >
>