Master Demand Schedule

A master demand schedule (MDS) contains information on the number of items to be delivered, the periodic, weekly or daily quantity that is planned, and the supplying warehouse.

The diagram below illustrates the scope of the master demand schedule. The scope depends on how the master demand schedule is used.

Follow these steps

  1. Basis

    A master demand schedule can be used as a basis or demand source for:

    • Forecasting
    • Material Plan
    • Master planning simulation
    • Rough-cut capacity planning.

    The master demand schedule's demands can be split into periods, weeks or days.

  2. Enter master demand schedule

    Master demand schedules are entered in 'Manual forecast/MDS. Open' (FCS350).

    A master demand schedule can be created by copying an old one in 'MDS. Copy between Versions' (MPS110) or by copying a forecast in 'MDS. Copy from Forecast' (MPS100).

  3. MDS versions

    An MDS can be entered in several versions. An MDS with a blank identity can also be entered for use as a demand source for a final material plan.

    Several master demand schedules can create many different forecast versions, which can be used to simultaneously simulate and analyze different scenarios.

    If a master demand schedule is used as a demand source for material planning, option 3 = Master Demand Schedule must be entered in the Source of demand source – material plan calculation field in 'Forecast Logic. Open' (FCS305/F). Specified master demand schedule versions can be used jointly with master planning simulation.

  4. Transfer forecast to plan

    A forecast can be transferred to a specific master demand schedule.

    After transfer, it can be adjusted manually in accordance with production planning, so it can be used as a basis for demand calculations and order proposals.

  5. Transfer master demand schedule to forecast

    A master demand schedule can be copied to a forecast in 'MDS. Copy to Forecast' (MPS130). This way, a previous MDS, for example from the previous year, can be used in the forecast of the coming year.

Description

A master demand schedule can be created from a forecast, another master demand schedule, item history, or via manual entry.

The master demand schedule can be used in the following:

  • Material Planning
  • Rough-cut Capacity Planning
  • Master Planning Simulation
  • Forecasting

Then a new round can begin. For example, a new master demand schedule is created from a forecast, which is then used to create a new forecast, and so on.

Description

The sales department makes a forecast for the coming year's sales.

This forecast is transferred to a master demand schedule in order to complete a capacity analysis, the goal of which is to analyze how much capacity is required for the forecast.

The master demand schedule is also used in several versions of production planning. The different versions are modified to analyze how time and volume can be adjusted to the expected manufacture load.

The purchasing department uses the different versions to make a master plan simulation. The different versions are used to compare purchasing demands in volume and time.

When the production function decides which of the different versions to use as the master demand schedule, the selected schedule is copied and then used as basis for the daily work.