My planner has a request to see if there is a way to use the same part number but have different dimensions. For example, we have a part that is a sheet of Aluminum, but we carry 2 sizes, 144x72 and 160x72. The production staff gets the drawing and based on what they get, they will decided which sheet they want to use I don’t agree with this practice but I’m new to the company, so I am trying to work with them on their current process. Now they want to add a 3 size (120x60) and asking how they can use the same part number to basically house all 3 sizes. I see the issue is the first two have the same widths, just different lengths. The 3rd size is completely different for width and length. Would using dynamic attributes class be useful here? I think it would be, but not certain it would resolve the issue. The other issue I have is how are they keeping up with the inventory for these items if the shop can decide what they are using. (whole different discussion).
I think what you’re looking for is advanced unit of measure.
Why Adv UOM? I saw something about it in a post, but it was referring to Engineering WB. They currently just put the part in the BOM, and the shop decides which sheet they are going to use.
With Advanced UOM, you define Dynamic Attributes that distinguish between the differing sizes you stock/buy/use so that a single part number can (theoretically) support an infinite array of attribute combinations yet also maintain inventory quantity AND cost at the single piece level.
The functionality was new sometime around 10.2.something. I have set it up twice, and I’ll say it’s getting better… but you want someone who has done it SUCCESSFULLY to help you out. The more thought you put into exactly HOW you want to use the functionality at the start (BEFORE you just start creating Dynamic Attributes), the easier and less hair-pulling the process will be.
With the Planning Adv UOM (a further add-on last I knew), MRP will actually generate suggestions for which attribute combinations should be purchased (or manufactured). I haven’t gotten that far.
If we’re just talking about a single part number with 3 different sizes, you can do that as well WITHOUT Advanced UOM by just using a different type of part setup. In the example you gave, set the part up using the AREA UOM Class. Within that UOM Class have a Base UOM of either SQIN or SQFT, and three other UOMs representing each of the three sizes. You will need to have a conversion factor so that each of these UOMs know how many SQIN (or SQFT) they are so that costing is correct. Set your Inventory UOM up as one of those three (the most common one), and check the box on the Part screen for “Track Multiple UOMs”. When your Purchasing folks create POs, they will need to select the correct UOM (it will default to whatever is in your Purchase UOM on the part master).
The relatively EXTREME limitation of this method is that there is ZERO ability to track partial sheets. Advanced UOM does that easily.
I have (fortunately) never set up AUOM (just worked with customers who’ve done it right and wrong), but Earnie is exactly right that you want someone who’s done it before and you want to really think about all of the scenarios you might have before beginning setup. Setting up Unit of Measure and AUOM in Epicor are low forgiveness tasks.
I’m gonna remember that one!
Unfortunately, I do not believe they have the AUOM license. They also are using Envision (which is a whole other topic) and the shop “claims” the sheet they used for whatever jobs they are processing. Scheduling put the job in and then floor picks the jobs they are going to do based on the sheet that will give them the most utilization. The issue is not purchasing perse but being able to inventory correctly. One other thing they backflush the part as well. My real question is how the shop floor can report which sheet is being used on the job. How do we get them to select the sheet? The part isn’t issued, it’s 'claimed" in the Envision software they are running and then it backflushes.
If you’re backflushing, then you need to change the UOM on the Job Material record for the sheet BEFORE the operation is clocked out of (which is when the backflush occurs, and will use whatever UOM is on the Job Material record).
Backflushing itself is a black box.
There may be an additional add-on IDK. But our vanilla AUOM module does planning sets and suggestions. Planning Sets are combinations of values of a subset of attributes marked for MRP while Attributes Sets are combinations of values of all attribute values used on a demand or part default AttrSet.
For example, we have a PLATE class with WID,LEN,STD,MTL,etc. STD:‘48x96’,‘60x120’, etc is marked for MRP. Demand has an AttributeSet like WID:24,LEN:40,STD:48x96 and we get suggestions for combined demand in PCS of 48x96. Meanwhile SqIn is the Base UOM and LB is the Purchase UM.
Thanks @Ernie. You have given me a lot to think about. I need to get a better understanding of the process and how Envision interacts with Epicor.