Re: Product allocation -- BPCS-L

You are not missing anything. This is the way BPCS allocation processing works (alpha location code order for allocation assignments). You can specify a DEFAULT or FORCED location, but this LIMITS allocation to JUST that location (no other locations will be allocated from using batch allocation - probably not what you want - I have used a FORCED location as a sort of forward pick line "location" with non-BPCS reports used to identify requirements and transfer product to this location prior to allocation runs, but this may not work for you).

ZONE/PICK SEQUENCE settings in the LOCATION MASTER (ILM) are for the "Batch Pull" Picklist ONLY. It simply orders the picklist based on your specified sequence to route the picker in the most efficient path. It has absolutely nothing to do with allocation creation rules. This is too bad, but the way it is.

All I can recommend (without modification to standard BPCS code) is to name your locations in the order that you'd like BPCS to allocate from them. I'm not suggesting that this is a good solution, but it is a work-around. Maybe the FORCED location will work for you. By the way - if you're lot controlled - BPCS allocates oldest lot (first expiring) regardless of location. If the lot exists in two locations, BPCS will allocate the product in the lowest # code location first and then move on in location code order. Basically location is the second sort (after lot expiration date).

Hope this helps,

Devin

Devin Bowen

Enterprise Application Solutions

www.easolutions.net

----- Original Message -----

From: RickCarter@holley.com

Sent: Friday, March 02, 2001 1:00 PM

To: BPCS-L@midrange.com

Subject: Product allocation

AS400 Mixmode BPCS 6.1.01 version
Here's a question I received from our Materials Mgr. Can anyone tell him
how to do what he want's to do or what he's missing with his attempt to do
so.

Can you send out a note on the BPCS Internet Holtline to see if anyone
knows how to make the system allocate inventory from certain locations
first for customer orders. We want the system to allocate the lower rack
locations first and if there is not enough stock in the lower rack
locations, allocate the balance to any other rack locations where it finds
inventory.

We have done the following:
We have set the "ZONE/PICK SEQUENCE Search" flag in the Warehouse Master
(IWI) file to '1' (Use Zone/Pick Sequence instead of Alpha Search).
We have entered a code in the ZONE and PICK SEQUENCE Fields in the Location
Master (ILM) for the lower level locations we want to allocate first.

It seems the system is completely ignoring the above and allocates strictly
in location sequence (Alpha Search).

Don't know if there are other flags that need to be changed or if the above
BPCS logic just doesn't work.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

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