Differentiating Between Batch and Material

Use

A batch features properties that provide a unique identification of the batch.

All the reproducible criteria are criteria concerning the material to which this batch belongs, and

not criteria of the batch itself. For example, to produce repeated batches with a viscosity that is

within a particular range, we thus need to set up a material master record with precisely this

range of viscosity and with recipes that control production.

In addition, the same batch might be filled in different types of packaging. A batch of resin might

be filled for example in 10 liter canisters as well as in 50 liter barrels. To be able to trace a

product precisely, we will need to set up material master records for each type of packaging of

each product. You allocate the batch packaged in a 10 liter canister to that material of the

product which features the definition ’packaged in 10 liter canisters’, that is the packaging type,

e.g. a canister or barrel is considered an attribute of the material and is thus of importance to the

definition of material master data.

Warehouse Management

The various batches of our product Resin are now packaged and stored as grade I, grade II and

grade III materials. It is important that the various grades of the product are differentiated, so that:

The batch can be traced or located

The batch can be delivered to customers with specific requirements

Sales order

In customer order processing, customer requirements are dealt with on a differentiated basis for

The grade of the material required

The type of packaging

Costing

As far as the manufacturer is concerned, the difference between grades of material and types of

packaging also affects costing, as different sales prices can be assigned, depending on these

factors. A higher grade of material, for example, might be more expensive to produce. A more

complicated type of packaging will almost certainly mean higher costs.

Taking the material requirements situation into consideration, our batches are now packed and

filled in the various types of packaging, according to material requirements. It is important to note

that the descriptive specifications of our batches, defined in the laboratory, are retained in the

packaging procedure.

Features

The connection between production and the filling/packaging process can be shown

uniquely using a BOM. You can define allowed packing types for each product.

Long-term and short-term planning, and thus material requirements planning, is clearer

and can thus be carried out on a more precise basis.

Based on a customer order, Sales can specify the precise requirements using the

material number:

– the precise batch is identified

– the corresponding packaging type is chosen

– the corresponding grade of the product is identified.

The various types of package, as well as the operating supplies, can be planned and

assigned by material requirements planning, according to requirements. These

packaging types and supplies are set up in BOMs, which are used for planning and

allocation purposes.

Production orders can be used to distribute and allocate the costs for each grade and

type of packaging. Hybrid costing is not required.

Operations such as filling, packaging, etc., can be allocated uniquely to the finished

product.

The same applies for criteria such as grade or viscosity. Here, too, the finished product

can be costed according to the grade. Higher grades of material usually require higher

manufacturing costs.

Handling in the stores is also more straightforward. Picking and packing activities for

production, sales and shipment are easier and more reliable. Thus picking errors are

avoided, and from the logistics point of view, costs are cut.

Stocktaking is simpler, quicker and can be carried out with less errors. Although a large

amount of maintenance work is required, this is soon compensated by the cost savings

during stocktaking and handling in the storage location.

Activities

When defining the material master data, you must take the following points into account:

Only materials, not batches, can be assigned to a BOM, a routing or a

master recipe

Only materials, not batches, can be planned in Material Requirements Planning

The number of material master records you need to define depends on the respective profile of

requirements. This includes such factors as:

The level of detail required in the system for storing batches.

This is significant from the point of view of batch tracing.

The level of differentiation you require for planning purposes.

For example, customer requirements: Are all grades of your material required in all

different types of packaging, or is only one grade of material sold in differentiated

packaging?

Further processing of the batch.

Is the batch a finished product or a semi-finished product to be used in a further process? In

this case, are the various grades or packaging vessels of significance?

You set up a separate BOM for each grade and packaging type for

Material requirements planning

Production order processing

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