This section covers the system setups required to use Materials and Inventory related modules.  These setups are fundamental to Inventory Control Management, Inventory Handling and Materials Requirements Planning.  They affect everything from data entry and conversion of existing (legacy) part numbering systems to the layout of the Stockroom.  It is absolutely essential to review all aspects of these Materials setups prior to beginning data entry, because once entered, many setup fields cannot be backed out without  Manex's assistance. 

Data Entry

MANEX System Setups and Defaults are designed to minimize the user’s keystrokes when entering actual data. Careful choice of a scheme for item master numbering of products and parts will allow MANEX to automatically create item master part numbers and enter default data when the user selects Class and Type and enters a Description.

Conversion of Legacy Product and Part Number System

The first decision to be made prior to System Setup is whether to try to use your existing product and part numbers in Manex.  Because Manex item numbering is significantly different than most legacy numbering systems, this decision is best made after you understand Manex's numbering system structure, options and functionality. 

·         Manex uses Classes (similar to Commodity Codes)  to "classify" all Items entered in the Item Master.  Each Class is further broken down into Types.  All screens and printouts of Items (Products and Parts) show the Class and Type for each Item; therefore it is not necessary to include Class and Type information in the Description field for an item.

·         An "intelligent" prefix (3 digit numeric suggested) is usually assigned as an identifier of a particular Type of part under a particular Class which allows grouping of like items for:

1.       Automatic entry of Default (common) information during data entry of items in the Item Master.

2.       Prevention of double-assignment of part numbers to items already having numbers.

3.       Rapid searches for existing part numbers in the database.

4.       Organized viewing of items in screen displays and reports

5.       Ease of assignment for planning, purchasing and inventory management.

6.       Simplifying receiving, stocking, locating and kitting.

7.       Maintenance of standard costing by commodity.

8.       Assignment of Buyers by commodity.

·         Using Autonumbering of the "root" or main part of a part or product number creates a unique identifier for each number which:

1.       Is never reused, once it has been assigned to prevent two different items from having the same part number.

2.       Becomes a unique identifier to provide an audit trail of any and all transactions and changes.

3.       Has no significance other than unique identification to allow assignment without encoding.

4.       Should be all-numeric for ease in finding, sorting and arranging items.

5.       Should be at least 5 digits to allow for a minimum of 99,999 part numbers to be assigned.

·         Manex suggests that you use your customers' product numbers as Manex product numbers in order to:

1.       Allow transferring open Sales Orders and Work Orders into Manex with the least amount of confusion.

2.       Retain established numbers for customer recognition on Sales Orders, Packing Lists and Invoices.

3.       Minimize the need for reprinting of labels, travelers, serial plates and pcb artwork.

4.       Provide a link between the old Bills of Material and the new ones.

·         Legacy Part numbering systems that have been maintained manually usually cannot be imported directly into Manex because they:

1.       Contain duplicate part number assignments, use the same part number root more than once and are not uniform in structure.

2.       Use item descriptions with non-standard nomenclature, sequence, separators, abbreviations and data.

3.       Have Manufacturer's data such as part number, name and/or specifications imbedded in the part number, prefix or description.

4.       Use Customer part numbers instead of internally created numbers.  These numbers can create confusion when created by one customer but used for another customer.

5.       Were not under Engineering Change Control to insure correct assignment or change of Revision Level.

6.       Have different versions or revisions all with the same part number.  A new Manex part number should be assigned for each item that differs in form, fit or function.

Stockroom Layout

The simplest layout for a stockroom is in part number sequence.  To make this work, Prefixes must be systematically assigned to each Item Class and Type.  This type of layout:

·         Eliminates the need for assignment, data entry and maintenance of aisle, row and shelf location codes for every item.

·         Allows expansion for added items without re-entry of location codes.  Expansion may be achieved by just shifting everything down, using empty or expansion spaces.

·         Simplifies Cycle Counting and Physical Inventories by having only one location for each part number.

·         Concentrates all of the same parts and all like items together for uniformity of storage of similar packaging.

The materials application module setup section allows you to prepare tables for specific material related modules your company has purchased.  Once setup in the system, you will be able to use these tables and or perform certain functions automatically.  Sample data is provided as a guideline in preparing the Pre-Installation Work Sheets.  These Sample setups are not necessarily the only ways to setup Manex Materials, but they have been compiled as the result of many successful Manex installations and may save you many hours of "re-inventing the wheel".  This section will first explain each of the Material Setup screens, then describe how to fill out the work sheets, and finally, how to enter the data into the MANEX system.