There are a few options any company can use to manage wires and wire harnesses.  The list below is ordered by user friendliness from least to most. While not comprehensive, it does include the most common approaches possible.

1. Manual/External Documentation - This method allows users to enter the consolidated information about each assembly (i.e. total length of each type of wire, all connectors, etc) as a BoM and let MRP handle the material flow. However, it requires external documentation for processing each wire and assembling the harness. This method is flexible, customizable, and will work with nearly any ERP system. However, it is very manual, not very efficient, and doesn't work well at high volumes and complexities.
   
   
2. In System Static Documentation - This is similar to the first method but allows users to load details about the assembly within the system. This allows for more efficient distribution and better documentation control. However, it is still not very efficient and requires additional systems or processes for preparing each wire.
   
   
3. Custom External Applications - A custom application to enter and manage individual wires can add all the required functionality and may be able to validate information to ensure accuracy. Although this contains the required information, it isn't integrated and would require additional security controls and add an extra step for entering and updating the information. However, it may be possible to create custom reports to combine ERP and custom application information into a single report for production purposes.
   
   
4. User Defined Fields - If the system will allow, user can utilize user defined fields (UDF) for store and processing information on each wire. With sufficient fields, users will be able to store wire gauge, length, termination and strip details. If this is not all in a single text field, the information can be exported for additional processing at the wire cutting machines.
   
   
5. Full Feature Implementation - If the system will allow it, this method is the most efficient. It will allow for storing all pertinent information about each wire without creating subassmblies. It will allow exporting for processing by the cutting machines. And, it potentially could help in grouping similar wires by gauge, color, length, termination, etc. This is the most automated and ideal.