Demand Processing

The interface consists of three direct links between Future Three and MAC-PAC.  The first link involves the passing of demand from Future Three to MAC-PAC's Master Scheduling module.  Future Three receives demand information for an item from an auto maker through EDI communications and converts that information into AS/400 physical files.  During a batch run, Future Three formats MAC-PAC's Projected Demand File in Master Scheduling with the demand information.  The Future Three demand sent from Future Three is identified by unique demand types on the Projected Demand File.

Four types of demand are sent from Future Three to MAC-PAC. 

·     Ship.  The auto maker has authorized the shipment of this quantity.

·     AB.  The auto maker has authorized manufacturing of this quantity.

·     Material.  The auto maker has authorized the purchase of raw materials used to make this quantity.

·     Plan.  The auto maker forecasts that it will require this quantity.

These types are only used for grouping purposes.  There is no netting logic between them nor is there an interface between the demand types and modules such as Requirements Planning or Purchasing¾which could allow you to change, add, or delete purchasing requisitions be based on the demand type.

Each type of demand is stored on MAC-PAC's Projected Demand File with a different MAC-PAC demand type.  These four demand types are defined on Reference File category D26, Future Three Interface Defaults.  A system option on this category determines whether this demand is sent at the customer/item level (i.e., a new set of demand is sent for each customer) or at the item level. 

Note that Future Three demand is not considered actual demand by the Tentative Master Schedule Maintenance Program (MS160E) in Master Scheduling.  Actual demand (planned sales orders) is netted against the forecast that the user has entered.

Future Three demand (the total of all four demand types) is added to the net demand, unplanned sales orders, and parent requirements to give you the total demand for the part.  This can have an impact on forecast netting.  Future Three demand will not be netted against the forecast, however you can enter a forecast that will have actual demand (planned sales orders) netted against it, but there can also be Future Three demand for the part that will be added to the net demand.

The Future Three demand is always stored in weeks on the Projected Demand File.  Demand for as many weeks into the future as are available is sent to the Projected Demand File each time a demand update is done.