Start and complete pack

Transaction 1

The inventory pack starts to be produced, but only some information is known:

Parameter	Description
Inventory pack number	This is either provided by the user or generated automatically by MES.
Created from date	Inventory packs are created over a duration. The created from date is assumed to be the created to date of the previous pack, if there are no gaps in production. If there is no previous pack, then it is assumed to be the start of the production run.
Material	The material of the inventory pack.
Machine	The specific machine that is creating the inventory pack.
Position	The specific position on the machine that is creating the inventory pack. This is only relevant when inventory positions are configured.

The pack is started, but not yet complete. During this time, Infor MES sets the inventory pack to In progress:

MES can simplify this process by automatically starting a new pack when a production run is started. This is only possible if MES is configured to automatically generate the pack numbers and the line setting is configured to automatically start a new pack when a job starts:

Alternatively, the pack is manually started at a later point in time:

Transaction 2

Complete the open pack by specifying these details:

Data	Description
Inventory pack number	This is either provided by the user or generated automatically by MES.
Created from date	Inventory packs are created over a duration. The created from date is assumed to be the created to date of the previous pack, if there are no gaps in production. If there is no previous pack, then it is assumed to be the start of the production run.
Created to date	The date the pack was completed.
Quantity	The final quantity of the inventory pack after completion..
Unit	The unit used for the quantity.
State	The state of the inventory pack after completion.
Location	The location of the inventory pack after completion.
Start next pack	Option to automatically open the next pack. This is possible only if the pack numbers are generated automatically. Can be defaulted on the form, then hidden to remove the user decision.
End production run	Option to automatically end the production run after completion.

The pack is completed with all information provided:

Although the inventory pack record is created at the from date, the pack does not exist, and is not included in production figures or KPIs, until completion.

At this point, these pack details are defined:

• Valid state, for example, created, isolated, scrapped, and so on
• Location
• Quantity

In some cases, operators might need to change the state of the pack before it has been completed. The pallet might be isolated is there is poor quality material. When the pack is completed, the state is retained, then another pack can be started later:

Then the pack can be completed:

MES can simplify this process by automatically starting a new pack when the previous pack is completed. This is only possible if it is configured to automatically generate the pack numbers and the form, or API, specifies the Start Next Pack option.

Any In progress inventory packs at the end of a production run should be completed before ending the production run:

When the pack is completed, MES provides the option to end the job at the same time. This is only possible if this is the final In progress inventory pack across all positions.

MES detects In progress packs across all OUT positions when the production run is ended:

If packs are detected as in progress after the production run is ended, then MES warns you to allow manual closing of the packs before ending the production run. Alternatively, the you can ask MES to ignore in progress packs. This option might be used for where a new pack was created automatically after closing the previous pack, but the pack was never physically created:

This mode is typically used in batch and assembly processes. Whilst It is the more complex of the two options because it requires more operator interactions, the primary benefit is that inventory packs exist in advance of the being completed. This enables materials to be explicitly consumed into the inventory pack using serial traceability, often required for batch and assembly processes..