Supply Usage Tolerance

This field allows you to configure the APS system to be able to use a supply (such as a purchase order line item) to satisfy a demand that is due earlier than the supply is due (see “Use Supply Usage Tolerance”). This field appears as an item-specific value on the Items form and as a global value on the Planning Parameters form.

You can define the tolerance time window in terms of hours or days, depending on whether you enter a positive or negative number in Supply Usage Tolerance:

  • Positive number: the system searches for supplies starting from the demand's due date/time + the tolerance number of hours. For example, if the demand's due date is 3/5/2004 at 9:00, a value of 4 means the demand can use any supplies that are available between the current date/time and 3/5/2004 at 13:00.
  • Negative number: the system searches for supplies starting from the demand's due date at 00:00 (midnight) + (24 hours * -1 * the tolerance value). For example, if the demand's due date is 3/5/2004 at 15:00, a value of -4 means the demand can use any supplies that are available up to 3/9/2004 at 00:00. In the same example, a value of -1 means the demand can use any supplies available up to 3/5/2004 at 24:00 (the same day).

The system uses this parameter only if the Use Supply Usage Tolerance option (see “Use Supply Usage Tolerance”) is selected on the Planning Parameters form.

Note: A value of 0 entered on the Items form bypasses the item-level tolerance; the system instead uses the global tolerance value.

Default (Infinite APS): -10, Launch control is the practice of creating or firming purchase orders and job orders when planning recommends. With Infinite APS planning, finite capacity is not considered so there is an increased chance that extra plans for job orders and purchase orders will be generated. This is because the actual need dates don’t match the dates of existing supplies. Therefore, a higher Supply Usage Tolerance is recommended.

Recommended (APS): -1, In a finite environment, launch control is practiced and capacity is taken into consideration, there is less chance to create extra plans for jobs and purchase orders because dates are more in line, thus making customer service a higher priority.