Define Supply Model

You can setup 'Supply Model. Open' (MMS056), 'Available Object Ctrl Parameters. Open' (CMS016), and 'Supply Model. Open Lines' (MMS059) connected to the supply model. The settings are part of the Global CTP settings process used in the customer order promising process.

The Global Capable to Promise (Global CTP) is an extension of the standard Available to Promise (ATP) control at customer order entry.

The supply model contains the rules for sourcing in the Global CTP process.

Outcome

The supply model is created in the supply model file (MSPLMO).

A supply model is defined in 'Supply Model. Open' (MMS056). The priorities controlling how to search for valid supply model lines are set up. Default values are also set up to simplify the process of specifying supply model lines in the supply model lines file (MSPLMX).

An entry for a Supply Model ID is also created in the Generic Object Control Table (CROBJC). The keys are program ID (MMS059) and the Start value 1='The Supply Model ID'.

Supply model lines are defined in 'Supply Model. Open Lines' (MMS059).

The supply model contains the primary rules for how the Global CTP is executed when used in the Customer Order Promising process. If the supply model is set up correctly, the manual tasks when checking for stock, materials, and resources are minimized. Also, alternative ways to fulfill the customer demand is automatically proposed by specifying multiple alternatives in the supply model.

Before you start

  • Define warehouses in 'Warehouse. Open' (MMS005).
  • Specify and design all structures related to items, customers, suppliers, and logistical entities in M3 BE.
  • Specify distribution chains in (CTS020).
  • Specify order types for purchasing, manufacturing, and distribution.

Set up program parameters

  1. Start 'Supply Model. Open' (MMS056).
  2. Press F13='Settings' to specify (MMS056/P).
  3. Specify 1 or 2 as part of the panel sequence to include 'Supply Model. Open Lines' (MMS059) or 'Available Object Ctrl Parameters. Open' (CMS016) in the workflow.
  4. To automatically copy supply model lines and texts when you copy a supply model, select this alternative.
  5. Press Enter or click Next to verify the new settings or press F12='Previous' to reject.

Specify supply model head

  1. Specify a supply model identity of your choice, with a maximum of 8 characters, and click New to display the E panel. Alternatively, you can select an existing identity for editing or viewing.
  2. On the E panel, specify a supply model name and description to facilitate identification of the supply model. A description is required.
  3. Mark or unmark the parameters for default values when specifying supply model lines. The values specified here is copied to each new line in the supply model.

Specify fields for the control table

  1. Start 'Available Object Ctrl Parameters. Open' (CMS016/B) by selecting a Supply Model ID from (MMS056/B) and 'Open Related' = Control Table.
  2. On the E panel, all priorities (Pty) with existing lines connected to it is protected for change. For example, priorities with existing lines is not deleted until all connected detail lines is deleted. By using the Sequence ID to perform resequencing, the protected priorities can also be changed.
    Note: If you do not use all priorities, you can leave some gaps to add new priorities between existing ones.
  3. Position the cursor in fields '1', '2', and '3', and select F4- 'Browse'. Select fields to include in the key for each priority.
    Note: The search for valid supply model lines starts at priority 1 and moves up to 10.

    This table shows the sample priorities and fields:

    Priority Field 1 Field 2 Field 3
    2

    Postal Code

    (ODPONO)

    Item Group

    (MMITGR)

    4

    Postal Code

    (ODPONO)

    6

    Country Code

    (ODCSCS)

    Priority 4 enables you to match customer and delivery addresses that have a specific postal code to alternative warehouses in nearby regions. By adding priority 2, specific item groups for the same postal codes are routed to other warehouses. This configuration is useful when the item groups are stored in a central warehouse or when the item groups are always purchased.

    Priority 6 catches all customers not belonging to the defined postal codes in priority 2 and 4. For instance, it is used for export sales which only need a setting for country, etc

  4. The sequence fields enable you to perform resequencing of your priorities. If you need another level between two priorities, add one by adding a Sequence number in between the two.
  5. Press Enter to confirm your new settings on (CMS016/E). Use F12-'Previous' or F3- 'Exit' to reject your new settings.

Connect supply model lines

  1. Start 'Supply Model. Open Lines' (MMS059/B).This program is called through option 11='Model Lines' in 'Supply Model. Open' (MMS056).
  2. Select the supply model and the priority to work with. Press Enter to display the available priorities.
  3. Select an alternative to which you would like to connect a supply model line. Start with alternative 1 before alternative 2, and so on. Also, select the Start values and dates used as keys for this priority. The 'From' date and 'To' date are optional. Click New to display the E panel.
  4. Specify a quantity on the E panel. The quantity is expressed in the basic unit of measure from the item master file. The quantity is used as a 'From' value when qualifying supply model lines for an ordered quantity. Click New to display the F panel.

Specify parameters for a supply model line

On the (MMS059/F) panel, all controlling parameters for a specific supply model line are specified. All required fields must be specified before it is validated and saved.
  • Resource check parameters: The parameters for ATP, CTP, MTP, and TTP are validated in relation to the selected Supply Source. For instance, MTP and CTP can only be selected if the Supply Source is manufacturing.
  • Delivery rules parameters: The parameters for backorder, partial delivery, selected alternative, and split on alternative control the creation of a proposal for delivery. They help you manage the situation when the optimal solution with everything delivered on time, from one place cannot be met.
  • Backorder and partial delivery: This table shows the relation between the 'Backorder' and 'Partial delivery':
    Backorder - Yes Backorder - No
    Partial Delivery - Yes

    40 pcs/01.09.15

    30 pcs/01.10.12

    40 pcs/01.09.15
    Partial Delivery - No 70 pcs/01.09.15 0 pcs
  • Backorder and partial delivery: This example shows which alternative is selected when 'Split on alternative' is set to both 'Yes' and 'No' for different alternatives:

Parameters to set

This table shows the each panel, its fields, and their descriptions:

Program ID/Panel Field Description
(MMS056/E) Auto Option, Backorder, Partial Delivery, Split on Alternative Displays the default values when specifying new Supply Model Lines in 'Supply Model. Open Lines' (MMS059).
(MMS056/E) Search for supply options

Shows whether to always search and display all possible supply alternatives for a supply model.

Activating this parameter corresponds to using action F20='Dsp possible' in 'Supply Alternative Management. Open' (CTS100) if the search is stopped when the first valid alternative is found.

(MMS056) Overlapping dates Indicates whether to enable supply model alternatives that have overlapping validity periods. Use this field to enable temporary sourcing alternatives that have overlapping dates and override the standard rule.

When searching for valid supply model alternatives, overlapping alternatives are compared, and the alternative with the latest 'From date' is selected. The 'From date' must be earlier than the requested delivery date, and the 'To date' must not have passed.

Note: Overlapping dates negatively affect performance. To minimize this effect, you must maintain the alternatives and remove outdated alternatives.
(CMS016/E) Fields for object control Shows the prioritized order for retrieving valid Supply Model Lines during the execution of the Global CTP. Up to 10 priorities with different combination of fields is setup for a single supply model.
(CMS016/E) Sequence Displays the sequence of your priorities. If you need another level between two priorities, add a new one by adding a sequence number in between the two.
(MMS059/B) Priority Indicates the priority with which you have selected to work.
(MMS059/B) Alternative Shows the primary key field in the Supply Model Lines. Alternative 1 is first searched and tried before alternative 2 and up is explored. The priority is subordinated to the alternatives.
(MMS059/B) From and To date Indicates the time period for which a specific line in the supply model is valid. The dates are part of the key, which means two identical lines or same object values, apart from the dates, may exist simultaneously.

This possibility enables you to specify lines for future changes while a current line is still valid. Future changes in the supply chain is set up and tested in advance.

This possibility enables you to specify lines for future changes while a current line is still valid. Future changes in the supply chain is set up and tested in advance.

(MMS059/E) Quantity Displays the ordered quantity. It is used to differentiate the rules for sourcing depending on the ordered quantity. The quantity is used as a 'From' value.

For example, a user needs to deliver large quantities in full pallets directly from the central warehouse. Simultaneously, the user needs to deliver small quantities from the local warehouse to respond promptly.

(MMS059/F) Supply source Indicates the source from which a supply is initiated. These are the sources:
  • Stock
  • Manufacture
  • Purchase
  • Internal Distribution
  • Internal distribution without order initiation.

Depending on the selected source, the other parameters in the supply model lines are checked differently.

(MMS059/F) From Warehouse Shows the warehouse from which distribution is to occur.

The 'From' warehouse must be specified for all supply sources. A purchase order or manufacturing order should be delivered to this warehouse. If 'Supply source' is set to 'Stock' (0) or 'Distribute internally' (3), the ATP check is performed against this warehouse.

The valid alternatives are:
  • xxx = Warehouse
  • *DW = Warehouse from demanding order

These are the examples:

  • If *DW is specified and 'Supply source' is set to 'Stock' (0), the supply model execution performs an ATP check on the warehouse specified on the demand order line
  • If *DW is specified and 'Supply source' is set to 'Purchase' (2), the supply model execution calculates the lead time from the supplier to the warehouse specified on the demand order line.
(MMS059/F) Distribution Order Type Displays the distribution order type. If the supply source is set to 'Distribute internally' (3), 'Manufacturing' (1) or 'Purchase' (2) in combination with internal distribution, the distribution order type must be specified.
(MMS059/F) Distribution Chain Indicates the internal distribution flow from one warehouse to another warehouse in multiple steps.

The Distribution Chain is defined in 'Distribution Chain. Open' (CTS020).

The distribution chain is specified in combination of 'From' and 'To warehouse', or separately without any 'From' and 'To warehouse'.

(MMS059/F) To Warehouse Shows the warehouse to which distribution is to occur.

Either 'Distribution chain ID' or 'To warehouse' must be specified for supply sources equal to 'Distribute internally' (3).

'To Warehouse' must be specified if the supply source is set to 'Internal distribution without order initiation' (7).

For supply source 'Manufacture' (1) or 'Purchase' (2), this field is optional. Either 'Distribution chain ID' or 'To warehouse' could be defined to achieve a scenario where the acquisition order supplies a distribution order which supplies a demand order.

The valid alternatives are:

xxx = Warehouse

*DW = Warehouse from demanding order.

Example:

If *DW is specified and supply source is set to 'Purchase' (2), the supply model execution calculates the lead time as follows:

  • Lead time from supplier to the 'From' warehouse.
  • Transportation days and hours from the 'From' warehouse to the warehouse specified on the demanding order.
  • Transportation days from the warehouse specified on the demand order to the customer.
(MMS059/F) Purchase Order Type / Manufacturing Order type Displays the rules for the supply source.

Depending on which supply source is defined, either a purchase order type or a manufacturing order type must be defined to set the rules for that specific supply.

(MMS059/F) Supplier Number Shows the supplier number, which must be specified if supply source is set to 'Purchase' (2).

The valid alternatives are:

xxxxxxxxx = Supplier number

*SYS = Supplier number should be retrieved either from the item balance table or the item master table.

(MMS059/F) Line Type Indicates the customer order line type.

The valid alternatives are:

0 = Normal order line

1 = Order line that creates a purchase, manufacturing, or distribution order that is directly connected to the customer order line.

2 = Order line that creates a purchase order that is directly connected to the customer order line, but with a delivery address according to the customer order. Direct delivery from supplier to customer is preferred.

(MMS059/F) Priority Shows the priority for the alternative.

If a priority is specified for a supply model alternative, it is used as input to determine the delivery method on the supplying purchase order. This is finished by using priority as a control field in 'PO Delivery Method Selection. Open' (PPS033). If a delivery method is found in (PPS033), it is displayed in (CTS100), 'Supply Model Availability. Display' (CTS200), and in the API OIS340MI (Supply Model simulation). The priority specified for the alternative is also displayed and published on the same places.

The specified priority is used in the route retrieval and is also applied on the customer order line and the supplying orders. If (CTS200) is used, the priority on the sourced order line is not updated.

(MMS059/F) Available-to-Promise Check Indicates whether the ATP check should be performed. This code is automatically set to 'Yes' if 'Supply source' is set to 'Stock' or 'Distribute internally'.
(MMS059/F) Capacity-to-Promise Check Indicates whether the work center capacity check should be performed. The capacity check is performed against the rough-cut capacity planning. This code should only be set to 'Yes' if 'Supply source' is set to 'Manufacturing'.
(MMS059/F) Material-to-Promise Check Indicates whether the availability check of the material connected to a product should be performed. The check is performed against the rough-cut capacity planning. This code should only be set to 'Yes' if 'Supply source' is set to 'Manufacturing'.
(MMS059/F) Transportation-to-Promise Check Indicates whether the transport capacity check should be performed.

The field is not active in this version of M3 BE.

(MMS059/F) Auto Option Displays whether the result from the supply model execution should be displayed during order entry.
(MMS059/F) Backorder Indicates whether backorder is approved or not.

If backorder is not approved, only quantity available at requested delivery date would be proposed.

(MMS059/F) Partial Delivery Indicates whether partial delivery is approved. If partial delivery is not approved, the whole quantity is delivered when available, regardless of the requested delivery date.
(MMS059/F) Selected Alternative Indicates whether the alternative should be prioritized if neither of the possible alternatives can fulfill the demand as requested.

The normal scenario for shortage handling is to select the alternative with the shortest lead time. If the alternative is marked as selected, the supply model execution overrules the lead time check and fulfill the demand from this alternative.

Scenario:

An item is normally make-to-order, that is, we do not keep it in stock. However, sometimes we get returns, which we would like to check for in advance of manufacture of a new item. The setup could be as follows:

Alt 1: Check for stock at the local warehouse.

Alt 2: Check manufacturing resources and initiate an MO.

If you set alternative 2 as 'Preferred alternative', you can propose and initiate an MO in case of no stock, regardless of capacities or lead times.

(MMS059/F) Split on Alternative Indicates whether the demand order accepts delivery from multiple alternatives.

If an alternative is defined with split on alternative, parts of the demand is delivered from this alternative, while other parts is delivered from other alternatives.

If split on alternative is not approved, the demand is fulfilled from this alternative. If more than one alternative is defined without split on alternative, the demand is fulfilled from the alternative with shortest lead time.

(MMS059/F) Replace Item Indicates whether the item should be replaced with another item. The replacement is combined with all the supply sources available. For example, you can set up an alternative where you purchase a replaced item.
(MMS059/F) Item number (Replacement) Indicates which item number should be used as a replacement if the 'Replace item'is set to 'Yes'.

The valid alternatives are:

xxx = Valid item number

*SYS = The original item number should be replaced according to the related item numbers (MMS020). Only related items with replacement type 2, 3, and 4 is used. If more than one item number is defined as a related item, the supply model execution proposes to deliver the first item. This item fulfills the demand according to the requested delivery date. If none of the related items fulfills the demand, the item number with the shortest lead time is selected.

(MMS059/F) Supply Info Displays the supply information connected to the alternative.

In 'Supply Model Information. Open' (CTS040), information about a supply model alternative is defined.

The information is only displayed in (CTS100), 'Supply Model Availability. Display' (CTS200), and in OIS340MI (Supply Model Simulation API), if connected to a supply model alternative.

(MMS059/F) Delivery Method Shows the delivery method for the alternative.

If a delivery method is specified for a supply model alternative, it is used as input to the route retrieval to the customer order line. Although when a supply alternative is selected, it is the delivery method specified on the route that is applied on the order line.

The delivery method specified on a supply model alternative is displayed in (CTS100), 'Supply Model Availability. Display' (CTS200), and in the API OIS340MI (Supply Model Simulation).

In (CTS200), only supply alternatives set up with no or the same delivery method as the order line is used. For other alternatives, the delivery method of the customer order lines must be manually changed prior to selecting the supply alternative.

Wildcards for postal code in supply model

When Postal code (PONO) is used as control object in 'Supply Model. Open Lines' (MMS059), it is possible to use a wildcard (asterisk) when setting up control values.

If a wildcard is used in (MMS059), it is only the characters prior to the wildcard that are compared against the postal code on the order when searching for a valid supply model alternative through (CTS100), 'Supply Model Availability. Display' (CTS200) or 'Supply Model. Simulate' (OIS340). The alternative with the most matching characters before the wildcard is selected.

Example:

Supply model defined with alternative 1 valid for Postal code 12* and alternative 2 valid for Postal code 123*.

Scenario A: A customer order with postal code equal to '12345' is specified. Supply model alternative 2 is selected since it has the most characters that match the postal code on the order.

Scenario B: A customer order with postal code equal to '12456' is specified. Supply model alternative 1 is selected since the third character specified in supply model alternative 2 does not match the postal code on the order.