Want to provide an update:
Per the response from Epicor, it would seem that this isn’t an isolated “bug” in our current version; but is by design. Their feeling is that it only writes 2-3 lines to the log files (was writing 4-6 lines in my actual logs); and doesn’t do anything with those parts in terms of creating jobs or suggestions. However, as time goes on, all of those inactive parts really start adding up.
By using the DMT tool to set both the PartPlant_ProcessMRP & PartPlant_GenerateSugg fields to false for all of inactive manufactured parts, MRP Processed in 30% of the time it took on the previous run.
Epicor Support’s actual response to me:
“The problem occurred because by design Process MRP also runs the Generate Suggestions function. So any part with this Suggestions box checked will at least by looked at for related Demand / Supply information, and it is forced to at least write some basic information to the Part Processing log for the part even if there is nothing to calculate. It writes a minimum of two or three lines to the log for any part that has one or both of these boxes checked even if there is no data to process / calculate.”
To keep things clean moving forward, I created and tested Data Directives on the PartPlant table:
When the ProcessMRP field changes from True to False, to set the GenerateSugg field of the Changed Row to False
When the ProcessMRP field changes from False to True, to set the GenerateSugg field of the Changed Row to True
Works like a charm whether making the change in Part Maintenance, via DMT, or via an updateable dashboard. Will help keep things clean moving forward instead of constantly having to use the DMT tool every time.