Definitions

Routing operations can be defined for both types of workcenters - standard and miscellaneous cost (outside processed). The routings within these workcenters can be primary or alternate routings (that is, alternate processing steps). Alternate routings facilitate the replacing of operations; since they may or may not be related to a primary routing, they increase the possible number of routings available in manufacturing an item. Comments can be maintained for both primary and alternate routings.

Within standard workcenters seven types of operation are available: standard, master, overlapping (3 types), and fixed time (2 types). Refer to the Operations Types and Descriptions table in the Features topic for a summary of these operation types, which are discussed in detail below.

Standard Operations

(Type 1) are the basic operation type. Neither the setup nor the run of a standard operation can begin until the previous operation has been completed. The run time of a standard operation is dependent on the order quantity.

Master Operations

(Type 2) consist of two or more detail records that will be summarized for reporting purposes. Except for effectivity dates, a master operation cannot be altered directly; the individual detail records must be maintained. A master includes all preceding primary operations until another master or a change in workcenter. All suboperations for a master must have the same crew flag, and they must be either all fixed or all non-fixed time operations.

Overlapping Operations

Overlap the previous operation. If the operation is Setup Only Overlap (Type 3), only the setup overlaps the previous operation; run time cannot overlap. For the remaining operation types, an overlap quantity or percentage of the order quantity is specified. This quantity or percentage must have been completed from the previous operation before the overlapping operation can begin.

If the operation is Run Time Overlap (Type 4), the run time of the overlapping operation begins when the specified overlap quantity or percentage has been completed at the previous operation. Setup can be performed prior to the completion of the specified overlap quantity or percentage. If the operation is Setup and Run Time Overlap (Type 5), the setup of the overlapping operation cannot begin until the overlap quantity or percentage has been completed at the previous operation. Run time may also overlap the previous operation.

For either of the latter two overlapping operations (Types 4 or 5), an overlap quantity of zero can be specified, indicating that the operations are parallel.

Fixed Time Operations

Require a fixed amount of time to run; their duration is independent of the order quantity (for example, quarantine). The setup of a fixed time operation may (Type 7) or may not (Type 6) overlap the previous operation. If it does, no overlap quantity or percentage can be specified. Run times cannot overlap.

Fixed time operations may be assigned a miscellaneous cost for product costing.

JIT Operation Steps