Product groups

A product group comprises products with the same basic characteristics. Stages and product groups combined to form a macro-structure (and process steps and products form a corresponding micro-structure) for the product model.

These are types of product group:

• End products are the main product of an end product stage. These product types cannot be used as inflow products or as by-products. End items can be defined for an end product.
• Coupled products are the main product of a coupled stage. These product types are semi-finished products and are stored in critical resources (tanks). These can be used as inflow products, however not as by-products.
• Decoupled products are the main product of a process step in a decoupled stage stored in non-critical resources (for example, inventory points). Decoupled products can be used as inflow products or by-products.
• Materials are produced in decoupled stages and form inflow to end, coupled and decoupled stages. This product type is usually used for basic ingredients kept in stock.