BPCS/LX Tip of the Week: Getting the Most Out of the Shop Order Inquiry Program – Part 1

Understanding: How many hours remain in total and at each operation?

First let’s look at some key BPCS Master File data starting with the routing file.

How many routing steps (operations) are set up that reflect how the product is produced in the factory? If you take a short cut and set up only one operation for the entire process, then you will limit the information seen on the SO inquiry program. Set up the operation steps to reflect what you want to report back to from the factory floor.

Will each of the routing steps run in one work center, or in different work centers? To keep it simple you may want to set up work centers as departments. For example:

• Assembly
• Machine
• Paint
• Etc.

For each operation setup consider how you have set up the following:

• Load Codes – for example a code 5 is used if reporting both setup time and run labor time. These codes are maintained in the work center file
• Basis Code – typical codes are P for pieces per hour,  3 is used for hours per 1,000 pieces
• Setup hours – if you set them up, you also want to report them
• Run hours – Direct Labor
• Machine hours

How you set up these fields will have an impact on how you report transactions and what is seen on the SO inquiry screen.

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