Question: Why doesn't the system allow us to assign multiple part numbers for the same customer to one internal part number?
Answer: While a seemingly simple request, it would take a massive overhaul of the inventory module to accomplish. Additionally, we would have to add provisions wherever a customer part number is used, for the user to elect which one to use in every instance. For example, when printing an invoice, we offer the option to include a customer part number. If we made this change, we would be forced to have the user define which one every time a part shipped out.
Often our users customers want their own part numbers on the packing list and invoice, not our users internal part numbers. We offer that capability, should the user elect to print customer part numbers on the forms (even though shipping turnkey internal part numbers), and if there were multiple customer part numbers, the user would have to pick one each time a product is shipped. How would the shipping clerk know which one to pick if there were multiple customer numbers?
We create a consigned version each time a user adds a customer part number. This item then serves to provide links for AVL processing by customer. While technically, this record is for the details of the permissible AVL’s for the customer, it is also used when consigned items are involved. When MRP runs, it checks each product for a customer connection. Then it checks to see if there is a customer part number for the product, and if there is, uses the “consigned” part number to determine the AVL’s that can be used in the part. This is true regardless of the part source (Buy, Make, etc.). If we have multiple customer part numbers (which would be multiple consigned records for a given internal part), we would have to come up with some way for MRP to know which “consigned” part to use for AVL. And, we have to be aware that the user may have different AVL approvals for different customer numbers, either intentionally or by oversight.
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