Heads up! Production Resources units need to match the unit of the BOM they are attached to.
What are Production Resources?
Production Resources in the context of an ERP system are the tangible and intangible assets used to produce goods. They include machinery, and any other inputs required for production. In Bottleneck’s ERP system, production resources are specifically defined to include the equipment and tools, such as fermentation tanks and bottling lines, with defined capacities and operational parameters that contribute directly to manufacturing processes.
Creating Production Resources within your Bottleneck Environment
To start leveraging Bottleneck's Production Resources feature, you must first create the different Production Resources throughout your manufacturing process. This is done through the Production Resources function where managers can add new resources, defining specific attributes such as name, description, minimum and maximum capacity, and the facility where the resource is located. For instance, a new bottling line with a minimum capacity of 0 gallons and a maximum of 1,000 gallons can be added, ensuring that the production planning reflects actual production capacity.
Attaching Resources to Relevant BOMs
Once production resources are defined, they can be linked to the relevant Bills of Materials (BOMs). This is a crucial step as it aligns the resources with the products they’ll be producing. Within the BOM for a product, like the ‘Kombucha 24 Pack - 12oz Bottle - Cranberry Flavor’, you can add a production resource to the Resource Requirements section. This ensures that when a production order is issued for that BOM, the system is aware of which resources are necessary and checks for their availability.
Splitting Work Orders
In scenarios where a single work order exceeds the capacity of a production resource, or where multiple resources can be used in tandem, Bottleneck allows for the splitting of Work Orders. Bottleneck will provide you with a number of options for splitting your Work Order such as 1 to 3, 4, 5, etc.. This means a large order can be divided into smaller, more manageable segments that can be processed simultaneously or sequentially, depending on resource availability. Splitting work orders ensures continuous production flow, improves efficiency, and reduces the lead time of manufacturing operations.
Under Capacity Constraints
An under capacity warning serves as an immediate checkpoint for production planners. It prompts a reassessment of the work order, encouraging a closer look at the following:
Production Schedule Adjustments: The planner might need to adjust the production schedule to align with the resource's capacity.
Resource Reallocation: If possible, the planner can look to reallocate the work order to another resource with sufficient capacity.
Order Accumulation: In some cases, it may be necessary to accumulate orders until there is enough demand to meet the minimum capacity requirements of the resource.
Over Capacity Constraints
An over capacity warning serves as an indicator that you are over scheduling your Production Resources. For example, if you create two work orders which depend on the same production resource, they cannot have overlapping schedules or else you are met with a warning which you can manually override.
Conclusion
The integration and management of production resources stand at the heart of any robust manufacturing operation. Bottleneck’s ERP system provides a comprehensive suite of tools that allow for meticulous management of these vital assets. From the initial setup of equipment with specific capacity parameters to the strategic attachment of these resources to Bills of Materials, the system ensures a seamless flow from planning to execution.