ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

ExpressMRP User's Manual

Version 1.1, March 2014

Table Of Contents
Introduction.....................................................................................................................3 Functional Modules Overview........................................................................................3 Session Administration.................................................................................................3 Session Backup And Restore............................................................................4 Data Import From E ternal Sources.................................................................! "a#les............................................................................................................................$ %roducts And Boms...........................................................................................& Stocks..............................................................................................................'' Materials (uantit) *onstraints.......................................................................'+ MR% *alculation.........................................................................................................'3 MR% For Sin,le %roduct.................................................................................'4 MR% For Multiple %roducts............................................................................'MR% %reparation...................................................................................'Sortin, Order And %riorities O. %roduction Orders.........................'$ MR% *alculation Options.................................................................'& Option /0alidate #e.ore calculation1.......................................'& Option /E plode MR% wit2 dependent orders1......................+3 Option /*onsolidate orders #e.ore calculation1......................+3 Option /Return consolidated orders as result1........................+3 Option /Appl) 4uantit) constraints1.......................................+' MR% *alculation Actions..................................................................+' Button /*onsolidate Orders1...................................................+' Button /Appl) (uantit) *onstraints1.....................................+' Button /0alidate Orders1.........................................................++ Button /*alculate MR%1.........................................................++ Button /Recalculate %artiall)1................................................++ MR% Results B) %roducts.....................................................................+3 MR% Results B) *omponents...............................................................+%urc2ase 5ist.........................................................................................+& MR% 5o,...............................................................................................3' Materials 6sa,e 5ist...................................................................................................3+ 7lo#al Options............................................................................................................34 7lo#al Option /%recision o. .loat .ields1........................................................3! 7lo#al Option /Displa) .ormat .or .loat .ields1.............................................3! 7lo#al Option /Ma imum strin, si8e1...........................................................37lo#al Option /De.ault strin, si8e1................................................................39

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization 7lo#al Option /Decimal separator1................................................................39 7lo#al Option /Re.res2 calculated data on start:up1......................................3$ *ommon And 7eneral Features....................................................................................4' Data import.................................................................................................................4' %rinta#le reports..........................................................................................................4+ Data e port..................................................................................................................43 Filterin,.......................................................................................................................44 Searc2in,.....................................................................................................................4Sortin, B) *olumn.....................................................................................................49 0isual indications........................................................................................................49 6ser:inter.ace customi8ation......................................................................................4$ Multi:plat.orm and porta#le desi,n............................................................................4$ Internal Structure And 7eneral %rinciples....................................................................4& Data#ase structure.......................................................................................................4& 6ser Inter.ace Elements..............................................................................................!3 Di..erent 0ersions And 5icensin, Issues......................................................................!4 *ontact..........................................................................................................................!! Evaluate; %urc2ase; Donate...........................................................................................!!

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

Introduction
ExpressMRP is a MRP (Material Requirements Planning so!t"are !or planing material #eman#s !or pro#uction. $t is simple an# intuiti%e, &et po"er!ul tool !or a#'hoc MRP calculations o!ten nee#e# in process in#ustries. (he program is especiall& suita)le !or #&namic manu!acturing companies that pro#uce man& #i!!erent pro#ucts, han#le %ariet& o! ra" materials an# o!ten change pro#uction sche#ules an# priorities. *ome examples "oul# )e pharmaceutical, cosmetic an# !oo# in#ustr&. $n such #&namic manu!acturing companies it is o! essential importance to !orecast material shortages in time, in or#er to )e a)le to react an# pro%i#e missing materials. +ith it,s user'!rien#l& an# highl& interacti%e inter!ace, it pro%i#es means !or !ast simulations o! #i!!erent pro#uction cases an# timel& procuring require# materials. $t is aime# to help pro#uction an# suppl& chain managers an# planners, that are !acing stress!ul struggle to #eli%er pro#ucts in time.

Functional Modules Overview

ExpressMRP !unctional mo#ules are organi-e# in ta)sheet pages an# su)pages, so it is eas& to na%igate )et"een them.

Session Administration
$n session a#ministration page, there are !unctionalities relate# to session )ac.ups an# restore o! #ata)ase #ata. ExpressMRP is )ase# on in'memor& #atasets that pro%i#e !ast calculation, "ith minimum #is.'"riting. /o"e%er, these in'memor& #atasets ha%e to loa# an# sa%e #ata !rom an# to some persistent storage. 0s primar& persistent storage o! #ata, ExpressMRP uses simple 1*V (1omma *eparate# 2ata ta)les, "hich can )e e#ite# "ith an& sprea#sheet so!t"are (such as Excel, 1alc, 3numeric, etc. or an& text e#itor. (his t&pe o! storage is chosen !or sa.e o! porta)ilit& an# non'#epen#enc& on an& #ata)ase ser%er or external li)raries. (he "hole #ata)ase engine is em)e##e# in the executa)le itsel!.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization $n'memor& #atasets are %isuall& represente# )& #atagri# controls place# on !orms. *ome in'memor& #atasets (Pro#ucts, 5oms, *toc.s, 6uantit&1onstraints, $mport scheme #atasets are sa%e# to un#erl&ing 1*V ta)les on an& insert7up#ate7#elete, "hile other #atasets are sa%e# to un#erl&ing 1*V ta)les onl& on application closing or "hen user sa%es it manuall& )& clic.ing correspon#ing 8*a%e9 )utton. $n an& case, all #atasets are sa%e# to un#erl&ing 1*V ta)les on application closing, an# are loa#e# on application start. 2uring application start, last sa%e# session is automaticall& loa#e# !rom the 1*V ta)les. 0s premium (pai# option, ExpressMRP o!!ers sa%ing an# loa#ing sessions to persistent, )ac.up storage 25: ta)les. 0n& num)er o! sessions can )e sa%e# an# later loa#e# into the acti%e session. (his ena)les user to simulate #i!!erent scenarios, sa%e them an# reuse them later.

Session Backup And Restore

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

$n the 8*ession )ac.up an# restore9 ta)sheet, on the le!t si#e, there is list o! sa%e# )ac.ups, "ith timestamp in!ormation o! #ate an# time o! )ac.up creation. ;ou can rename automaticall& assigne# name an# put some comment to an& )ac.up item. <n the upper part there are !our )uttons= < < < < 8Save Session ' triggers imme#iate sa%ing o! all #atasets to un#erl&ing 1*V ta)les 8Restore Previous Session ' reloa#s sa%e# 1*V ta)les into the #atasets 8Backup atasets ' creates ne" persistent )ac.up o! the current session 8Restore Backup ' restores a )ac.up (the one in the list on "hich cursor is positione# <n the right part, there is log o! )ac.up an# restoring acti%ities.

ata I!port Fro! External Sources

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

<n the #ata import page, &ou can #e!ine i!port sc"e!es an# sa%e them as #i!!erent i!port variants. $t consists o! !our main sections= < < < $n the upper le!t section, there is list o! i!port variants# $n the upper right section, there is lo$ o! import acti%ities. $n the central section, &ou can lin. internal (calle# 8#estination ta)les9 "ith external ta)les (calle# 8source ta)les9 . >e!t #atagri# is list o! internal ta%les, "hile right #atagri# is list o! external sources. (here is a #ialog !or appen#ing ne" external ta)le to the list o! external sources. 5& using assi$n!ent %uttons &ou can connect or #isconnect external ta)les to the correspon#ing internal ta)les. :or e%er& #estination ta)le liste# &ou can s"itch'on or s"itch'o!! "hether #ata is going to )e importe# or not, )& placing chec.'mar. into &'o Be I!ported& c"eck %ox. <n the right, in *ource (a)les section, there is a (ile navi$ator, )& "hich &ou !in# a 1*V !ile containing source #ata to )e importe#. (hen choose colu!ns deli!iter use# in original source !ile (?@? or ?,? an# clic. &Add (ile to list& %utton. (his "ill appen# the !ile into *ource (a)les #atagri# list. ExpressMRP "ill tr& to auto'#etermine !iel#s separator, )ut &ou can #e!ine it explicitl& too. Aext step is to )on# source an# #estination ta)le. Aa%igate )oth #atagri#s so that cursor is positione# on appropriate source an# #estination ta)les. (hen clic. &)& %utton in or#er to connect them. (his "ill cop& source ta)le name, path an# #elimiter !rom source ta)le ro" into #estination ta)le ro". $! &ou "ant to remo%e a )on#, Bust clic. &*+& %utton. &**++& %utton "ill

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization remo%e )on#s !or all #estination ta)les. <! course, &ou can manuall& e#it an# #elete ro"s in )oth sections. $n the lo"er section, &ou can lin. internal (ields ,colu!ns- "ith external (ields ,colu!ns-. >e!t #atagri# is list o! internal !iel#s, "hile right #atagri# is list o! external !iel#s. 5& using assignment )uttons &ou can connect or #isconnect external !iel#s to the correspon#ing internal !iel#s. (he principle is the same as "ith lin.ing ta)les. /ere &ou ha%e list o! #estination !iel#s on the le!t an# list o! source !iel#s on the right, !or current pair o! *ource72estination ta)les. Position cursor on le!t ro", na%igate appropriate ro" in right list an# clic. &)& %utton in or#er to )on# them. (his "ill cop& source !iel# name into the 2estination :iel# ro". Ao" ExpressMRP .no"s !rom "hich source !iel# to insert #ata into "hich #estination !iel#. ;ou can remo%e )on#s )& using &*+& an# &**++& )uttons.

<

5& #e!ining proper import schemes, &ou can highl& impro%e &our ExpressMRP experience. ;ou might #e!ine #i!!erent import %ariants !or #i!!erent occasions an# )usiness cases. :or instance, &ou might import !resh #ata !or all ta)les (Pro#ucts, 5ills <! Materials, *toc.s, 6uantit& 1onstraints once a "ee., )ut &ou might import !resh "arehouse stoc.s #ata t"ice a #a&. $n this case &ou "ill #e!ine one complete import scheme an# one partial !or onl& stoc.s. External #ata must )e pro%i#e# in normali-e# sprea#sheet 1*V !ormat (1omma *eparate# Values , "ith .cs% extension. (hat is the most compati)le !ormat !or structure# #ata trans!er !rom one s&stem to another. Aormall&, ERP s&stems pro%i#e tools !or exporting reports to cs% !ormat. $! not, &ou can al"a&s export it !irst to some other !ormat, such as .xls an# then con%ert it to cs% !ormat. ;ou might consi#er automation o! that process, )& pro%i#ing automate# sche#ule# exports in regular time !requencies. +hen preparing external sprea#sheet ta)le !or importing, )are in min# !ollo"ing general rules that must )e !ollo"e#= < 2ata must )e in normali-e#, t"o #imensional structure, consisting onl& o! columns an# ro"s. <nl& one hea#er is allo"e#, "ith column names. Multi#imensional, hierarchical structures are not allo"e#. < (a)le must not ha%e empt& ro"s or empt& columns, neither a##itional hierarchical hea#ers, except the one "ith column names. < Empt& spaces in column hea#ers are not allo"e# +hen ne" import scheme is a##e# to the list, ExpressMRP "ill automaticall& populate list o! internal ta)les an# !iel#s. (he !ollo"ing ta)les are automaticall& appen#e# to the list o! internal ta)les=

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization < .Products ' list o! pro#ucts, "ith )ase quantities. 5ase quantit& is the stan#ar# quantit& !or "hich correspon#ing )ill o! materials is expresse#. $t might )e, !or instance, 1.000 pieces or 500 .g an# similar stan#ar# quantit&, #epen#ing o! the nature o! &our pro#uct. $t is important that this quantit& matches quantities in the correspon#ing )ill o! materials. .Bo!s ' this is the ta)le "ith all )ills o! materials, in normali-e# sprea#sheet !ormat. .Stocks ' this is the ta)le o! a%aila)le stoc.s in the "arehouse. 2ata can )e summari-e#, )ut can also )e one item per )atch. ExpressMRP "ill summari-e it #uring MRP calculation !or itsel!. .Orders ' this is list o! pro#uction or#ers that can )e inclu#e# into the MRP calculation. ;ou might, !or instance, import &our monthl& pro#uction plan. ./uantit0 1onstraints ' this is a ta)le "here &ou can #e!ine quantit& constraints in pro#uction an# purchasing processes. :or instance, a pro#uct is pro#uce# in stan#ar# 500 .g )atches an# can )e pro#uce# onl& in multiples o! the stan#ar# )atch. <r a ra" material can )e purchase# onl& in )ags o! 25 .g. <r &ou can pro#uce some pro#uct "ith certain minimum quantit&, letEs sa&, 2.000 pieces, etc.

< < < <

(hough all mentione# internal ta)les are automaticall& appen#e# to the list, it #oesnEt mean that &ou are !orce# to lin. all o! them to the external ta)les. ;ou are !ree to #e!ine import scheme as &ou "ish. <nl& those ta)les !or "hich &ou assign external ta)le an# chec. the chec.)ox F(o )e importe#9, "ill )e processe# "hen import action is triggere#. <nce #i!!erent import scheme %ariants are #e!ine#, &ou can execute an& o! them )& placing cursor on an import %ariant an# clic.ing &I!port data& %utton. (his "ill start importing process #e!ine# )& current import scheme %ariant. :or current import schema ExpressMRP "ill na%igate through all #estination ta)les "hich are mar.e# as acti%e, chec. "hich source ta)les correspon# to "hich #estination ta)les, "hich source !iel#s correspon# to "hich #estination !iel#s an# !inall& import #ata to #estination ta)les.

Tables
$n the 8(a)les9 page, &ou can na%igate an# insert7up#ate7#elete items in the input #ata ta)les= 8Pro#ucts9, 85oms9 (5ills <! Materials , 8*toc.s9 an# 86uantit& 1onstraints9. (hough ExpressMRP is primaril& #esigne# to process #ata importe# !rom external sources, &ou can use it as stan#'alone program too. (his means &ou can insert an# up#ate #ata manuall&, through the pro%i#e# #atagri#s, "hich are %er& similar to sprea#sheet programs.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

Products And Bo!s

(his page consists o! t"o sections #i%i#e# )& splitter. $n the upper section, there is #atagri# "ith 2Products ta%le, "hile in the lo"er section, there is #atagri# "ith the 2Bo!s ,Bills O( Materials- ta%le.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization +hen &ou na%igate pro#ucts items, the 5<M* #atagri# is automaticall& re!reshe# to sho" the correspon#ing )ill o! materials. (his means that re!erential integrit& an# !iltration is en!orce# )et"een the t"o ta)les %ia common .e& !iel#, "hich is the !iel# 8Pro#uct9. Aormall&, this is a pro#uct co#e, "hile long #escription7name o! the pro#uct is entere# in the !iel# 8Pro#uct #escription9. (he 5ills o! Materials #atagri# lists components "ith its )ase quantities !or the )ase quantit& o! the correspon#ing pro#uct. 1urrentl&, onl& one )ill o! materials is allo"e# per pro#uct. $! &ou ha%e #i!!erent alternati%e 5<M* !or the same pro#uct, &ou ha%e to #e!ine #i!!erent import schemes !or them. <ther"ise, i! &ou import multiple 5<M* !or the same pro#uct, the& "ill )e liste# as one composite )ill o! materials. $n man& cases, there are separate theoretical )ills o! materials an# )ills o! materials "ith scrap ("astage inclu#e#. ;ou shoul# #e!ine separate import schemes !or them. 5& clic.ing 23alidate data %utton, &ou can start proce#ure that "ill anal&-e list o! pro#ucts an# correspon#ing )ills o! materials, to chec. !or in%ali# recor#s. (he proce#ure "ill chec. "hether )ase quantities o! pro#ucts an# components are %ali# (must )e num)er %alues #i!!erent than null or -ero an# "ill chec. "hether a )ill o! materials is present !or the pro#uct. $! there is no correspon#ing )ill o! materials, pro#uct item "ill )e #elete#. (his pre%ents errors an# crashes cause# )& inconsistent #ata. ;ou can create printa)le report o! the )ills o! materials !or all pro#ucts or onl& currentl& selecte# pro#uct, )& clic.ing appropriate 2Report %utton.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

Stocks

$n this #atagri#, &ou can na%igate an# e#it stocks o( !aterials, !rom the ta)les 8*toc.s9.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization 2epen#ing on the structure o! the external source ta)le, this might )e stoc. alrea#& summari-e# )& materials or it coul# )e list o! )atch or series stoc.s, as sho"n in the #emo. Aote that ExpressMRP 8*toc.s9 ta)le is una"are o! )atch or serial num)er structure. :or ExpressMRP, e%er& item is Bust a quantit& that "ill )e summari-e# #uring MRP calculation. 0ll the complexit& is remo%e# to #e!inition o! #i!!erent import schemes. $n man& cases, )usinesses #i!!erentiate #i!!erent statuses o! stoc.s, such as= 8unrestricte# stoc.s9, 8restricte# stoc.s9, 8stoc.s on qualit& inspection9, 8)loc.e# stoc.s9, 8stoc.s in transit9, 8or#ere# stoc.s that are not &et ph&sicall& present9, etc. ExpressMRP #oes not #eal "ith stoc. status, it treats all importe# stoc.s equall&. 0ll the complexit& is remo%e# to #e!ining appropriate import scheme. $n such cases, i! #i!!erent statuses or )atch7serial num)er is use#, &ou might pro%i#e #i!!erent import %ariants !or #i!!erent stoc. statuses. :or instance, &ou might #e!ine an import %ariant !or importing onl& unrestricte# stoc.s, another import %ariant "oul# )e !or importing sum o! unrestricte# stoc.s an# stoc.s on qualit& inspection, another import %ariant coul# )e importing o! sum o! all stoc. statuses, etc. $t is solel& up to &ou to #e!ine &our )usiness cases through the import scheme %ariants.

Materials /uantit0 1onstraints

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

$n the 86uantit& 1onstraints9 #atagri#, &ou can e#it &our #ata a)out 4uantit0 constraints to )e applie# #uring MRP calculation. $! no quantit& constraint is !oun#, ExpressMRP "ill consi#er that an& quantit& o! pro#uction or purchasing is allo"e#. $! some quantit& constraint is #e!ine#, ExpressMRP "ill correct the calculate# quantit& accor#ing to the constraint. ;ou might "ant to #e!ine these constraints in cases "hen a pro#uct can )e pro#uce# in onl& certain quantities7amounts or a material can )e purchase# onl& in certain quantit&. ;ou can #e!ine "hether quantit& is discrete or not. 2iscrete means that quantit& is not continuous, )ut rather, can )e pro#uce# or purchase# onl& in certain #iscrete quants o! quantit&. :urtherl&, &ou can #e!ine !ini!u!, !axi!u! an# !ultiple quantit&. (he actual meaning o! these %alues #epen#s on "hether the quantit& is #iscrete or not.

MRP Calculation
(his is the central part o! the application. $t is #i%i#e# into t"o su)pages. (he !irst page is !or simple on'the'!l& chec.ing o! materials !or a single pro#uct, "hile the secon# one is !or the true MRP calculation on the list o! acti%e pro#uction or#ers an# gi%es cumulati%e result !or a%aila)ilities an# shortages o! components.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

MRP For Sin$le Product

(his page ena)les &ou to search !or a pro#uct, speci!& a quantit& an# imme#iatel& see "hether &ou ha%e enough materials or not. (he calculation sho"s the calculate# )ill o! materials "ith current stoc.s an# a%aila)ilit& o! materials !or the speci!ie# quantit& o! the pro#uct.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization $n this simple MRP calculation, the pro#uct an# correspon#ing materials are chec.e# in#epen#entl& to other pro#ucts an# pro#uction or#ers. $n this calculation, ExpressMRP consi#ers all quantities on the stoc. a%aila)le !or the currentl& selecte# pro#uct. (he page consists o! the three sections= < (he upper section is the list o( products. ;ou can !in# a pro#uct an# speci!& the quantit&. < (he central section sho"s the correspon#ing %ill o( !aterials, "ith currentl& a%aila)le stoc. !or e%er& component, as "ell as calculate# shortages o! components. < (he lo"er section pro%i#es su!!ar0 in(or!ation a)out "hether the speci!ie# quantit& can )e pro#uce# or not an# "hich is the quantit& that coul# )e pro#uce#. (his !unctionalit& is %er& han#& !or a#'hoc calculation an# printing the )ill o! materials !or an& custom quantit& )esi#es the )ase quantit&. (he list o! pro#ucts is automaticall& generate# on application start, ta.ing #ata !rom the 8Pro#ucts9 ta)le. <n na%igation through the list o! pro#ucts, calculate# )ill o! materials is automaticall& generate# !rom the ta)le 85oms9. +hen &ou change pro#uction quantit&, the )ill o! materials is recalculate#. $! &ou change a componentEs require# quantit&, correspon#ing pro#uction quantit& is automaticall& recalculate# an# the "hole )ill o! materials is recalculate# too. /o"e%er, &ou can also !orce recalculation manuall&, )& pressing )uttons 8>oa# an# calculate9 or 81alculate9. 25oad and calculate %utton "ill reloa# pro#ucts list an# )ill o! materials, "hile 21alculate %utton "ill reloa# onl& )ill o! materials !rom the correspon#ing #atasets. 2Recalculate partiall0 %utton "ill Bust recalculate quantities, "ithout #eleting existing recor#s an# re'appen#ing ne" recor#s. Ise this "hen &ou "ant to exclu#e some components !rom the calculation. ;ou can manuall& #elete components items, i! &ou "ish to ignore some components !or "hich &ou, !or instance, .no" that the& are not o! interest or that are not important. ExpressMRP "ill then recalculate result exclu#ing the component. 5& clic.ing the 2Report %utton, &ou can create printa)le report o! the result o! calculation.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

MRP For Multiple Products

(his is the core page o! the application, pro%i#ing true MRP calculation !or the list o! acti%e pro#uction or#ers. $t consists o! se%eral su)pages= < < < < < 2MRP Preparation ' page !or preparing list o! pro#uction or#ers an# #e!ining options !or calculation 2MRP Results B0 Products ' presents results o! MRP calculation in the "a& that results are sorte# !irst )& pro#ucts, then )& components, "here pro#ucts are master #ataset, "hile components are sla%e #ataset. 2MRP Results B0 1o!ponents ' presents results o! MRP calculation in the "a& that results are sorte# !irst )& components, then )& pro#ucts, "here components are master #ataset an# pro#ucts are sla%e #ataset. 2MRP 5o$ ' pro%i#es in!o a)out progress an# steps o! the calculation 2Purc"ase 5ist ' sho"s list o! materials an# quantities to )e purchase# in or#er to satis!& #eman#

MRP Preparation

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

(he 8MRP Preparation9 su)page consists o! !our sections, separate# )& splitters= < $n the le!t upper section, &ou can na%igate through the pro#ucts (ta)le 8Pro#ucts9 an# appen# currentl& selecte# pro#uct to the list o! acti%e pro#uction or#ers, )& clic.ing the 2Append Selected Product %utton.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization < $n the right upper section, &ou can na%igate through importe# list o! pro#uction or#ers (ta)le 8<r#ers9 an# appen# currentl& selecte# or#er or all o! them at once to the list o! acti%e pro#uction or#ers, )& clic.ing 2Append Selected order or 2Append All Orders %uttons. <n the central section &ou can execute some actions )& pressing correspon#ing )uttons, or #e!ine calculation options, )& chec.ing or unchec.ing correspon#ing chec.)oxes. <n the lo"er section, there is list o( active production orders that "ill )e inclu#e# into MRP calculation.

< <

5esi#es appen#ing ne" acti%e pro#uction or#ers, either !rom the list o! pro#ucts, either !rom the list o! importe# pro#uction or#ers, ne" or#ers can )e inserte# manuall& too. $t is enough to enter pro#uction co#e in the !iel# 8Pro#uct9 an# clic. 8Post9 )utton. ExpressMRP "ill !in# other #ata !rom the Pro#ucts ta)les, i! the pro#uct exists.

Sorting Order And Priorities Of Production Orders

+hen a ne" item is appen#e# to the list o! acti%e pro#uction or#ers, itEs position in the list #e!ines itEs priorit0. $t is important to un#erstan# that in ExpressMRP, sorting or#er o! the pro#uction or#ers is e%er&thingJ 2uring MRP calculation, a%aila)le stoc.s are going to )e assigne# to pro#uction or#ers accor#ing to their position in the list. ;ou can re#e!ine priorities o! pro#uction or#ers )& mo%ing or#ers up an# #o"n in the list. ;ou can #o it )& using right positione# panel wit" %uttons !or rearranging pro#uction or#ers.

(here are !our )uttons "hich "ill mo%e currentl& selecte# pro#uction or#er to another position in the list. (he !our )uttons are= 2Move to (irst position6 2Move upward6 2Move downward6 2Move to last position.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization ExpressMRP #oes not #eal "ith time hori-ons, start an# en# #ates o! pro#uction, etc. Rather, all acti%e pro#uction or#ers are consi#ere# equall& in time. (he priorit& o! or#ers is solel& #e!ine# )& position o! an or#er in the list. ExpressMRP is essentiall& time'agnostic. (o #eal "ith time'hori-ons, &ou might consi#er #e!ining #i!!erent import schemes !or #i!!erent time'hori-ons. :or instance, lets sa& &ou are simulating &earl& plan o! pro#uction. ;ou might #i%i#e pro#uction plan into quarters. ;ou can then #e!ine !our cumulati%e lists o! or#ers, !or e%er& quarter o! the &ear. ;ou might then consecuti%el& import an# process quarter )& quarter. :or e%er& quarter &ou can execute MRP calculation, sa%e the results (sa%e reports in p#! #ocuments, export results to Excel sheets an# create persistent )ac.ups !or e%er& quarter. $! time aspect or an& other a##itional in!ormation is o! importance to &ou, consi#er importing that in!ormation into the 81omment9 !iel# o! the 8<r#ers9 ta)le.

MRP Calculation Options

5& s"itching che.c)oxes on or o!! &ou can ena)le or #isa)le certain options that "ill a!!ect results o! the MRP calculation.

Option Validate before calculation

$! this option is ena)le#, )e!ore starting actual MRP calculation, ExpressMRP "ill na%igate through the list o! acti%e pro#uction or#ers an# chec. #ata %ali#it& an# consistenc&. (his is strongl& recommen#e#, )ecause, since ExpressMRP is #esigne# to rel& on external #ata sources, it cannot en!orce strict rules upon #atasets #uring import phase. (his means that ExpressMRP highl& #epen#s on goo#'qualit& importe# #ata, "hich might not )e the case. $! input #ata is not consistent an# %ali#, this might cause application crash #uring MRP calculation. (he !ollo"ing is chec.e# #uring %ali#ation= < +hether there is a correspon#ing pro#uct in the ta)le 8Pro#ucts9

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization < < +hether there are correspon#ing recor#s in the )ills o! materials (ta)le 85oms9 +hether pro#uct or#er quantit& is %ali# (must not )e 0 or null

2uring %ali#ation process, ExpressMRP "ill tr& to auto'correct certain errors. $! &ou can rel& on integrit& an# qualit& o! importe# #ata, &ou might s"itch this option o!!, in or#er to spee#'up MRP calculation.

Option Explode MRP

it! dependent orders

$! this option is ena)le#, ExpressMRP "ill anal&-e calculate# #eman#s to see "hether in calculate# #eman#s there are materials that can )e pro#uce# internall&, meaning that there is a correspon#ing )ill o! materials in the ta)le 85oms9 an# correspon#ing pro#uct in the ta)le 8Pro#ucts9. $! this is the case, ExpressMRP "ill auto'create ne" pro#uction or#ers !or such materials. (his is common situation "hen &ou ha%e pro#ucts "ith su)parts or semi'!inishe# pro#ucts pro#uce# in'house. $! this option is ena)le#, &ou might appen# to the list o! acti%e pro#uction or#ers onl& pro#ucts7or#ers on the top'most le%el (!inishe# pro#ucts , "hile ExpressMRP "ill auto'generate #epen#ent pro#uction or#ers !or su)parts or semi'!inishe# pro#ucts. ExpressMRP is capa)le o! calculating such #epen#ent #eman#s an& le%el #eep.

Option Consolidate orders before calculation

$! this option is ena)le#, )e!ore starting MRP calculation, all pro#uction or#ers !or the same pro#uct "ill )e summe# an# !use# into a single consoli#ate# pro#uction or#er "ith cumulati%e quantit&. (his is strongl& recommen#e# in case o! using quantit& constraints, )ecause results "ill )e more optimi-e#. $! quantit& constraints are use# on man& small or#ers !or the same pro#uct, ExpressMRP "ill appl& constraints separatel& on e%er& pro#uction or#er, increasing their quantities to satis!& minimum quantities. (his might lea# to unexpecte#l& high resulting quantities. $n such cases it is more appropriate to consoli#ate or#ers !irst an# then appl& quantit& constraint upon the cumulati%e pro#uction quantit&.

Option Return consolidated orders as result

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization $! this option is chec.e#, then MRP calculation "ill return minimum num)er o! resulting pro#uction or#ers, )ecause resulting pro#uction or#ers !or the same pro#uct "ill )e !use# together into one cumulati%e or#er. (he same applies to the resulting purchasing list.

Option Appl" #uantit" constraints

$! this option is ena)le#, MRP calculation "ill ta.e into account quantit& constraints #e!ine# in the ta)le 86uantit& 1onstraints9 an# appl& them to pro#uction or#ers an# resulting purchasing list. $! option is #isa)le#, ExpressMRP "ill calculate quantities as i! no quantit& constraint is #e!ine#. 6uantit& constraints are applie# on t"o places= on the pro#uction or#ers quantities, on the resulting purchase quantities in the purchasing list. 0ppl&ing quantities can result in increasing pro#uction quantit&, #i%i#ing pro#uction or#er into se%eral pro#uction or#ers, etc. $t is important to )e a"are that quantities are al"a&s roun#e# up, ne%er roun#e# #o"n. 6uantit& constraints are not applie# on the require# quantities o! components, )ut onl& on the pro#uction or#ers an# purchasing quantities !or materials.

MRP Calculation Actions

$n the central section o! the MRP preparation ta)sheet there are se%eral )uttons, )& "hich &ou can trigger #i!!erent actions relate# to MRP calculation.

$utton Consolidate Orders

$! )utton is clic.e#, ExpressMRP "ill !use all separate or#ers !or the same pro#uct into one cumulati%e pro#uction or#er.

$utton Appl" %uantit" Constraints

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization $! )utton is clic.e#, ExpressMRP "ill iterate through all items in the list o! acti%e pro#uction or#ers an# appl& quantit& constraints on pro#uction quantities. 0s the result, quantities might )e change# an# some or#ers might )e #i%i#e# into se%eral ne" pro#uction or#ers.

$utton Validate Orders

$! )utton is clic.e#, ExpressMRP "ill iterate through all items in the list o! acti%e pro#uction or#ers an# chec. their %ali#it& an# consistenc&. ExpressMRP "ill chec. "hether there are correspon#ing pro#uct in the ta)le 8Pro#ucts9, correspon#ing recor#s in the )ills o! materials (ta)le 85oms9 an# "hether pro#uction quantities are %ali# (must not )e 0 or null .

$utton Calculate MRP

(his )utton triggers !ull MRP calculation. 2epen#ing on "hich o! the options are s"itche# on, ExpressMRP "ill per!orm some or all o! the !ollo"ing e%ents in MRP calculation sequence= < < < < < < < validation o! pro#uction or#ers explodin$ pro#uction or#ers list "ith auto'generate# pro#uction or#ers !or #epen#ent su)parts or semi'!inishe# pro#ucts consolidation o! pro#uction or#ers appl&ing 4uantit0 constraints to pro#uction quantities calculation o! material re4uire!ents6 availa%ilities and s"orta$es o! components calculation o! 4uantities t"at could %e produced (inal consolidation o! resulting pro#uction or#ers an# purchasing or#ers

$utton Recalculate Partiall"

+hen (ull MRP is starte#, all pre%iousl& appen#e# recor#s in the components #eman# list are !irst #elete# an# then !resh ne" recor#s are appen#e#, accor#ing to the )ills o! materials. +hen partial MRP recalculation is triggere#, the existing recor#s in the components #eman# list are not #elete#, )ut onl& quantities are recalculate#. Partial recalculation is use!ul in cases "hen &ou manuall& #elete some components !rom the components #eman# list an# then "ant to recalculate MRP "ith the component exclu#e#. :or instance, !ull MRP calculate# that a pro#uction or#er can not )e pro#uce# )ecause o! a missing component, )ut &ou .no" that this component is not important or &ou are sure that it is or#ere# an# "ill come in time, so &ou "ant to

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization ignore this component. $n that case, &ou coul# manuall& #elete the component a!ter the !ull MRP is !inishe# an# recalculate the MRP partiall&. 5esi#es manual #eletion o! recor#s, &ou might also change pro#uction quantities or e%en change require# quantit& !or a component. /ere is the tric. ' i! &ou change quantit& o! a pro#uction or#er, ExpressMRP "ill instantl& recalculate require# quantities !or all the components issue# !or the pro#uction or#er. 0n# %ice %ersa is also true ' i! &ou change require# quantit& !or a component, ExpressMRP "ill instantl& recalculate an# change pro#uction quantit& !or the pro#uction or#er an# then recalculate recalculate requirements !or all the components )elonging to the pro#uction or#er. /o"e%er, it "ill not imme#iatel& recalculate a%aila)ilities an# shortages. $n or#er to propagate e!!ect o! the ne" quantities an# recalculate summar& a%aila)ilities an# shortages, &ou ha%e to start partial MRP calculation. (o summari-e, #i!!erence )et"een !ull an# partial MRP calculation is that !ull MRP calculation !irst #eletes all recor#s an# then re'appen# ne" recor#s accor#ing to the )ills o! materials, "hile partial MRP recalculation #oes not #elete neither re'appen# components items, )ut rather recalculates quantities onl&.

MRP Results B0 Products

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

<n this page, MRP calculation results are sho"n in t"o #atagri#s in master7#etail relationship, "here master #ataset presents production orders, "hile sla%e #ataset presents co!ponents. (he page consists o! t"o sections. (he upper section contains #atagri# "ith pro#uction or#ers, "hile the lo"er section contains #atagri# "ith components. +hen &ou mo%e cursor in the master #atagri# "ith pro#uction

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization or#ers, the sla%e #atagri# is re!reshe# to sho" onl& components )elonging to the currentl& selecte# pro#uction or#er. $n the pro#uction or#ers #atagri#, &ou can see planne# pro#uction quantit&, calculate# quantit& that coul# )e pro#uce# an# in!ormation "hether targete# planne# quantit& can )e pro#uce# or not. $n the components #eman#s #atagri# &ou can see in!ormation !or e%er& component, a)out )oth in#i%i#ual an# summar& component,s requirement, a%aila)ilit& an# shortage. 0lso, &ou get in!ormation "hether there is enough component !or the current or#er an# !or all other or#ers issuing the component. Aote ho" in!ormation rich are these t"o #atagri#s, pro%i#ing in the same time )oth in#i%i#ual an# summar& in!ormation !or e%er& pro#uction or#er an# issue# component. MRP results )& pro#ucts can )e printe# as short or #etaile# report. S"ort Report sho"s onl& pro#uction or#ers "ith their targete# pro#uction quantit&, in!ormation "hether the& can )e pro#uce# an# the calculate# maximum quantit& that coul# )e pro#uce#.

etailed Report sho"s )oth pro#uction or#ers an# calculate# )ills o! materials, "ith total an# in#i%i#ual requirements, a%aila)ilities an# shortages.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

MRP Results B0 1o!ponents

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

(his page consists o! t"o section "ith #atagri#s in master7#etail relationship. $n the master #atagri# o! the upper section, summar& in!ormation a)out components #eman# is sho"n, "hile correspon#ing in#i%i#ual requirements an# a%aila)ilit& o! components per pro#uction or#ers is sho"n in the sla%e #atagri# o! the lo"er section.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization $n the master #ataset "ith co!ponents, &ou can see su!!ar0 in(or!ation a)out e%er& component, pro%i#ing #ata a)out total require#, a%aila)le an# shortage quantit& !or a component. $t is in#icate# "hether there is enough component !or total de!and. $n the sla%e #atagri#, all in#i%i#ual production orders issuing currentl& selecte# component are sho"n. E%er& ro" presents one pro#uction or#er issuing the component, "ith individual requirement, a%aila)ilit& an# shortage o! the component. Results can )e printe# in short an# #etaile# Report. S"ort Report sho"s cumulati%e, total reuirements, a%aila)ilities an# shortages o! components.

etailed Report sho"s also correspon#ing in#i%i#ual pro#uction or#ers !or e%er& component.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

Purc"ase 5ist

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

Purchase list contains summar& in!ormation a)out components quantities to )e or#ere# !rom external suppliers. 2epen#ing on the "hether option chec.)ox !or returning consoli#ate# or#ers "as s"itche# on or o!!, resulting purchasing list can )e consoli#ate# or not. $! the result is non'consoli#ate# purchase list, &ou can al"a&s consoli#ate it )& clic.ing the %utton 21onsolidate. $! quantit& constraints are #e!ine# an# correspon#ing option "as ena)le#, purchasing quantities "ill )e roun#e# accor#ing to the quantit& constraints. Purchase list can )e printe# as report, on "hich )oth total shortage quantit& an# purchase quantit& is sho"n.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

MRP 5o$

<n this page, all acti%ities an# progress o! MRP calculation is logge#, so &ou can see "hat is going on. (he log in!ormation might help &ou in )etter un#erstan#ing logic o! MRP calculation an# returne# results.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization Note: Visual appearance of the logging process during MRP calculation is slightly different on different operating systems. In Windows, the log list is auto-scrolled when reaches end of the screen. owe!er, on some operating systems with certain li"raries #$%&', for instance(, it seems that auto-scrolling is not wor)ing properly.

Materials &sage 'ist

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

(his page consists o! t"o sections, "ith #atagri#s in master7#etail relationship. $n the upper section, there is master #atagri# sho"ing list o! materials, "ith a##itional in!ormation a)out current stoc. o! the component. $n the lo"er section, there is sla%e #atagri# sho"ing list o! pro#ucts in "hich current component is use# accor#ing to the )ill o! materials. +ith help o! searching an# !iltering tools, this page pro%i#es eas& "a& to #etermine "hich pro#ucts issue some component. (he usage list o! materials can )e printe# as printa)le reports. ;ou can create report !or all components or onl& currentl& selecte# component.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

(lobal Options

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

<n this page, &ou can set some glo)al properties in!luencing ho" program "ill )eha%e= < Precision o! !loat !iel#s < 2ispla& !ormat !or !loat !iel#s < Maximum string si-e < 2e!ault string si-e < 2ecimal separator < Re!resh calculate# #ata $! &ou change glo)al options, the& "ill )e acti%ate# on next application start. $! &ou "ish to appl& changes imme#iatel&, clic. on the %utton 2Appl0 Options.

(lobal Option Precision of float fields

/ere &ou can #e!ine precision o! !loat !iel#s. $! &ou #onEt ha%e an& particular reason to explicitl& #e!ine !loat precision, lea%e it 0, so #e!ault %alue is going to )e use#.

(lobal Option )ispla" format for float fields

/ere &ou can #e!ine #ispla& !ormat !or !loat !iel#s, )& using stan#ar# Pascal72elphi s&m)ols !or !ormatting !loat %alues. Ise &7& an# &8& signs to speci!& !ormatting output.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization &7& #e!ines #igit place that can )e empt&, "hile &8& #e!ines a #igit place that must not )e empt&. &#& s&m)oli-es #ecimal separator ()oth #ecimal #ot an# #ecimal comma separator . *ome !ormatting examples= :ormat Examples o! output '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 7#7 1.1@ 1@ .2@ 2.4@ 14424125 (1,1@ 1@ .2@ 2,4@ 14424125 78#88 1.10@ 1.00@ 0.20@ 2.40@ 14424125.00 (1,10@ 1,00@ 0,20@ 2,40@ 14424125,00 76778#77 1.10@ 1.00@ 0.20@ 2.40@ 14,424,125.00 (1,10@ 1,00@ 0,20@ 2,40@ 14.424.125,00 0s &ou can see, &ou can easil& #e!ine deci!al and t"ousand separators, as "ell nu!%er o( deci!al di$its to )e sho"n in #atagri#s an# reports. :or instance, i! &ou "ant to present !loat %alues in a "a& that num)er can )e sho"n !rom no #ecimal #igits to maximum 4 #ecimal #igits, then !ormatting shoul# )e= 76778#777 $n this example, last three K means that i! num)er is integer, no #ecimal #igits "ill )e sho"n, i! there is one #ecimal #igit then one #ecimal #igit "ill )e sho"n, )ut i! there are C #ecimal #igits in num)er, onl& roun#e# !irst three #ecimal #igits "ill )e sho"n. $! !ormatting is 76778#888 instea#, then three #ecimal #igits "ill )e sho"n e%en i! it is integer num)er. Example1= num)er is 4,45CDGH i! !ormatting is 76778#777 or 76778#888 then it "ill )e sho"n as 4,45D Example2= num)er is 4,45 i! !ormatting is 76778#777 then it "ill )e sho"n as 4,45 )ut i! !ormatting is 76778#888 it "ill )e sho"n as 4,450.

(lobal Option Maximum string si*e

8Max*tring*i-e9 parameter limits maximum string si-e in textual #ata)ase !iel#s. (his "a& &ou can restrict memor& consumption, i! not enough memor& is a%aila)le. E%er& text !iel# has pre#e!ine# string si-e, !or instance, it is 10 characters !or measurement units@ 20 characters !or !iel#s= 8Pro#uct9, 81omponent9, 8Material9@ 50 characters !or !iel#s= 8Pro#uct 2escription9, 81omponent

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization 2escription9, 8Material 2escription9@ 1000 characters !or all comment !iel#s, etc. $n most cases, this "ill )e optimum. /o"e%er, these pre#e!ine# %alues #e!ine consumption o! memor& space. $t is not pro)lem i! &ou ha%e enough R0M a%aila)le on &our computer, )ut ma& )e pro)lem in cases o! limite# R0M a%aila)le. $n that case, &ou might "ish to #ecrease memor& consumption, )& limiting memor& space reser%ation !or text !iel#s. $! &ou set maximum string si-e, letEs sa&, to )e 100 characters, then all strings ha%ing more characters than 100 characters "ill )e trimme# to 100 characters. (his "ill mostl& in!luence comment !iel#s.

(lobal Option )efault string si*e

82e!ault*tring*i-e9 parameter expan#s string si-e in textual #ata)ase !iel#s. (his "a&, &ou can grant more memor& space to text #ata)ase !iel#s than it has )een originall& pre#e!ine#. E%er& text !iel# has pre#e!ine# string si-e, !or instance, it is 10 characters !or measurement units@ 20 characters !or !iel#s= 8Pro#uct9, 81omponent9, 8Material9@ 50 characters !or !iel#s= 8Pro#uct 2escription9, 81omponent 2escription9, 8Material 2escription9@ 1000 characters !or all comment !iel#s, etc. (hese pre#e!ine# %alues consume memor& space. (here!ore, )& #esign, string length is limite# to certain %alues, #epen#ing on the nature o! a !iel#s. :or instance, it is reasona)le to assume that !iel#s 8Pro#uct9, 81omponent9 an# 8Materials9 "ill contain materials co#e that "ill not excee# length o! 20 characters. $t is also reasona)le to assume that actual #escription names o! materials "ill )e less than 50 characters (!iel#s 8Pro#uct 2escription9, 81omponent 2escription9, 8Material 2escription9 , etc. /o"e%er, i! this assumption "as "rong in &our particular case, an# some o! the string !iel#s #onEt ha%e enough space to contain require# %alue, then &ou can increase a%aila)le space )& setting parameter 82e!ault *tring *i-e9 to )e greater than the minimum num)er o! characters require# to correctl& #ispla& in!ormation. $! the %alue o! this parameter is not null an# is not 0, ExpressMRP "ill increase string si-e !or an& string !iel# i! itEs pre#e!ine# string si-e is lesser than the %alue o! 82e!ault *tring *i-e9 parameter.

(lobal Option )ecimal separator

(his parameter #etermines character to )e use# as #ecimal separator. $t can )e #ot (?.? or comma (?,? or &ou can lea%e it empt&. $n case o! empt&, ExpressMRP "ill use local s&stem settings !or #ecimal separator.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization $! &ou set, !or example, ?,? as #ecimal separator an# import #ata use ?.? as #ecimal separator, ExpressMRP "ill tr& to replace all #ots "ith commas #uring import process. $MP<R(0A( A<($1E= Remem)er that in ta)les !or #ata import, numeric !loat %alues shoul# contain onl& #ecimal separator an# no thousan# separator. $! &ou ha%e thousan# separator in 1*V !ile, remo%e it )e!ore #ata import into ExpressMRP. <ther"ise, ExpressMRP might not #istinguish #ecimal an# thousan# separator an# coul# crash.

(lobal Option Refres! calculated data on start+up

(his option #e!ines "hether calculate# #atasets are going to )e recalculate# e%er& time #uring application startup, or "ill )e Bust loa#e# !rom pre%iousl& sa%e# 1*V ta)les. :or instance, materials usage list is calculate# #ataset that is sa%e# on application closing an# loa#e# on application startup. /o"e%er, #ataset is not, )& #e!ault, recalculate# e%er& time application is starte#, unless this option is explicitl& ena)le#. $! ena)le#, ExpressMRP "ill recalculate materials usage list !rom scratch, other"ise, it "ill )e loa#e# !rom pre%iousl& sa%e# 1*V ta)le. ;ou might, ho"e%er, manuall& trigger itEs recalculation )& clic.ing 81alculate9 )utton. 5are in min# that i! this option is ena)le#, this might consi#era)l& slo"'#o"n application startup.

In(or!ations And Activation

<n this page, there are se%eral su)pages "ith in!ormation a)out the so!t"are an# #ialogs !or registering an# ena)ling commercial license that unloc.s premium !unctionalities. 0t the moment o! this "riting, premium, pai#, options inclu#e= printa)le reports, #atasets export to 1*V ta)les, sa%ing an# loa#ing persistent )ac.ups.

5icense

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

(his page pro%i#e licensing in!ormation.

1ontact And

ownload 5inks

<n this page &ou can !in# in!ormations a)out program, contacts, internet an# #o"nloa# lin.s.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

Re$ister9Purc"ase 1o!!ercial 5icense

<n this page, &ou get in!ormation a)out #o"nloa# an# purchase "e) pages lin.s. 5& clic.ing correspon#ing )utton, &our #e!ault )ro"ser "ill open lin.e# "e) pages.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization ;ou also get in!ormation a)out uni4ue !ac"ine ,co!puter- I representing &our computer. Ise this #esignation #uring purchasing process to retrie%e &our computer speci!ic commercial release co#e. <nce &ou get commercial release co#e, &ou can acti%ate it )& clic.ing the %utton 2Activate 1o!!ercial release 1ode, "hich "ill open #ialog "here &ou ha%e to enter &our release code. $! the release co#e is %ali#, pre!iu! (eatures "ill )e ena)le#.

1o!!on And :eneral Features

$n the !ollo"ing chapter, there is short o%er%ie" o! some common an# general !eatures o! the application.

)ata import
ExpressMRP pro%i#es intuiti%e inter!ace !or #ata import !rom external sources, through import scheme #e!inition !orm. 5& assigning external 1S3 ta%les and (ields ,colu!ns- to internal ta%les and (ields ,colu!ns -, it is eas& to #e!ine an import %ariant. <nce import scheme is properl& #e!ine#, &ou can reuse it an# repeate#l& execute import !rom the same external source o! #ata.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization (his ena)les eas& automation an# inter!acing "ith other )usiness so!t"are. 0ll that is nee#e# is to !ollo" these steps= < Pro%i#e (an#, pre!!era)l&, automate )usiness in!ormation exporte# in the !orm o! .cs% ta)les. < 2e!ine #i!!erent importing schemes in the 2ata $mport ta)sheet, )& connecting internal an# external ta)les an# !iel#s. < $mport #ata

Printable reports
0s premium option, ExpressMRP pro%i#es #i!!erent .in# o! summar& an# #etaile# printa)le reports. 5esi#es printing to paper, reports can )e sa%e# in #i!!erent !ormats (p#!, cs%, html, Bpeg, png, etc. !or archi%ing an# later reuse.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

)ata export
0s premium !eature, ExpressMRP pro%i#es 1*V (1omma *eparate# Values exporting utilit&, so &ou can export #atasets to 1S3 ,;#csv- spreads"eet ta%les. 0n& #ataset can )e exporte#.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization 0!ter export, &ou might !urther process the resultset or report in #i!!erent spreads"eet (1alc, 3numeric, Excel or #ata)ase programs.

Aotice &Export& %utton place# on most ri))ons a)o%e #atagri#s. +hen &ou clic. it, a pop'up "in#o" !or exporting #ataset "ill appear. (his ena)les &ou to export a #ataset to speci!ie# 1*V ta)le. Enter the !ull path an# name o! exporte# 1*V !ile, speci!& deci!al separator an# (ields ,colu!ns- deli!iter an# clic. &Save (ile& %utton.

,iltering
ExpressMRP pro%i#es simple inter!ace !or #e!ining an# sa%ing custom #ata)ase !ilters, "hich &ou can later reuse in repetiti%e )usiness cases, !or narro"ing resultset to speci!ic su)set o! #ata. 5& appl&ing custom !ilters to #atasets, &ou can narro" result to onl& those items that are o! &our current interest. :or instance, &ou might #e!ine #i!!erent !ilters !or listing= onl& ra" materials, onl& pac.aging materials, onl& transport )oxes that are missing, onl& those materials that are in shortage, onl& semi'!inishe# pro#ucts, onl& those pro#uct that contains certain string in its name, etc. 2e!ine )unch o! goo# !ilters !or !requentl& repeating )usiness cases an# &ou "ill sa%e &oursel! huge amount o! time.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

Aotice &Filter& %utton place# on most ri))ons a)o%e #atagri#s. +hen &ou clic. it, a pop'up "in#o" "ith sa%e# !ilters !or !iltering #ataset "ill appear. ;ou can choose appropriate sa%e# !ilter or cerate an# sa%e ne" one. :ilters are %er& po"er!ul "a& to narro" resultset o! MRP calculation an# can sa%e &ou lot o! time. Please, note that on calling !ilters pop'up "in#o", all !ilters are liste#, )ut it #oesn,t mean that all o! them can )e applie# to the current #ataset. <nl& those !ilters that ha%e %ali# expression !or the current #ataset can )e success!ull&

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization applie# on the #ataset. (here!ore, it is goo# practice to speci!& to "hich #ataset or #atasets a !ilter is applica)le, )& entering #escripti%e comment in the !iel# 81omment9. Filter expressions are constructe# )& com)ining= (ield na!e (column names !rom 1*V !iles , some operator or (unction (L, M, N, MN etc. an# value expression. Sin$le 4uotes ha%e to enclose strings. ?O? is <oker s0!%ol representing an& num)er o! an& characters. ;ou can also use lo$ic operators such as ?<R? an# ?0A2?. Examples o! !ilter expressions= 1omponent L ,4O, 1omponent*hortage(otal6uantit& N 0 Pro#uct2escription L ,(amsO, 1omponent*hortage(otal6uantit& N 0 0A2 1omponent L,2O, 1omponent L,5O, 0A2 1omponent2escriptionL,OPutO, 0A2 1omponent2escriptionL,OtranO, 1omponent*hortage(otal6uantit& N 0 0A2 1omponent L,5O, 0A2 1omponent2escriptionL,OPutO, 0A2 1omponent2escriptionL,OtransO, ;ou can "rite !ilter expression manuall& or use help o! com)o)ox lists "ith !iel#s an# expressions. &Append Field& an# &Append Expression& )uttons are use# to appen# chosen %alues to expression )elo". *a%e !ilter )& pressing ?Post? )utton. 0cti%ate !ilter )& clic.ing &Appl0 Filter&. Remo%e !ilter )& clic.ing &Re!ove Filter&.

Searc!ing
ExpressMRP pro%i#es simple searching pop'up #ialog, !or !in#ing particular %alue in a #ataset. ;ou can search an& #ataset )& an& !iel# (column , "hich &ou can choose !rom a com)o)ox.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

Aotice &Find& %utton place# on most ri))ons a)o%e #atagri#s. +hen &ou clic. it, a pop'up "in#o" !or searching "ill appear. 1hoose a !iel# on "hich search action "ill )e per!orme#, then clic. ?:in#?. $! ExpressMRP !in#s appropriate %alue, cursor "ill )e place# on correspon#ing ro".

Sorting $" Column

2epen#ing on "hether 2Use Indexes option is chec.e# or unchec.e#, pre#e!ine# in#ex use# !or sorting #ataset )& I colu!n is use# or not. E%er& #ataset has it,s auto'incremente# integer $2 column, uniquel& i#enti!&ing an& recor#. $! 8Ise $n#exes9 option is ene)ale#, it means that ne" recor#s are going to )e appen#e# to en# o! the list. <ther"ise, ne" recor#s "ill )e inserte# )e!ore the cursor. 5esi#es pre#e!ine# in#ex on $2 column, "hich has unique auto'incremente# integer %alue uniquel& #esignating e%er& recor#, &ou can create in#exes on an& other column on'the'!l&, )& simple clic.ing on the title o! a column. 5& clic.ing a columnEs title on the #atagri#, a #ataset is sorte# ascen#ing or #escen#ing )& that particular column(!iel# .

Visual indications

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization (hroughout the application, con#itional coloring o! the recor#s is use# to %isuall& emphasi-e some supplementar& in!ormation. (hough someho" am)iguous, general meaning o! coloring is !ollo"ing= ="ite color is #e!ault color o! recor#s. /o"e%er, in #atagri#s "here extensi%e coloring is use#, "hite colore# column (!iel# usuall& in#icates that the !iel# is e#ita)le. (his in#icates that &ou can manuall& change quantit& or enter some custom comment, !or example. Sk0>%lue color can in#icate either that the column (!iel# is not e#ita)le (it is rea#'onl& , either can )e use# to in#icate status o! pro#uction or#er or material, meaning that the pro#uction or#er can )e pro#uce# (all components are a%aila)le in require# quantities or that the total quantit& o! a component is enough !or all requirements. ?ellow colour in#icates shortages o! materials an# pro#uction or#ers that ha%e unsatis!ie# #eman#s. 1oloring is use# Bust !or pro%i#ing a##itional %isual in#ication, not as the primar& source o! in!ormation.

&ser+interface customi*ation
ExpressMRP main !orm is organi-e# in ta)sheet pages an# su)pages. :unctional elements on e%er& page are groupe# in sections that are place# on panels #i%i#e# )& splitters. ;ou can easil& mo%e those splitter "ith mouse an# thus customi-e the appearance o! the page. ;ou might increase one section an# #ecrease another section. (his "a&, &ou can customi-e user inter!ace to satis!& &our screen resolution an# speci!ic nee#s. (he same applies to data$rid colu!ns, "hich &ou can increase or #ecrease )& mo%ing colu!ns splitters. 0lso, &ou can change order o( colu!ns, )& #raggingQ#ropping columns. 0ll the user'per!orme# customi-ations are sa%e# #uring application closing as session properties, so next time application is run, those customi-ations are going to )e loa#e#. (he same applies to %alues in chec.)oxes. (he session properties are sa%e# in @M5 (iles place# in the su)!ol#er 8*essionProperties9.

Multi+platform and portable design

ExpressMRP is programme# in a multi'plat!orm "a&, so that there are compile# executa)les an# pac.ages !or #i!!erent operating s&stems, such as= +in#o"s, >inux, #i!!erent 5*2 s&stems, Mac<* R, etc. <n request, ExpressMRP might )e compile# !or other s&stems, too.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

Internal Structure And :eneral Principles )atabase structure

ExpressMRP #ata)ase is )ase# on in>e!or0 datasets "hich can sa%e an# loa# #ata !rom !lat text !iles in 1S3 ,1o!!a Separated 3alues- (or!at "ith .cs% extension. :iel#s are separate# )& semicolon (?@? , strings are enclose# in #ou)le quotes, "hile #ecimal separator #epen#s on &our locale settings. (housan# separator is not use# in sa%e# #ata, though it can )e use# !or !ormatte# #ata representation. +hen recor#s are appen#e#, e#ite# or #elete#, in'memor& #ataset are either imme#iatel& sa%e# to un#erl&ing !lat text !iles, either remain onl& in memor& until explicitl& sa%e#. $n an& case, #atasets are sa%e# #uring application closing. *ome #atasets (8Pro#ucts9, 85oms9, 8*toc.s9, 86uantit& 1onstraints9, #atasets !or import scheme #e!inition are imme#iatel& sa%e# on an& change, "hile others (#atasets use# !or MRP calculation an# materials usage list are sa%e# onl& i! explicitl& triggere# )& pressing 8*a%e9 )utton an# #uring application close. ExpressMRP automaticall& loa#s all #atasets !rom un#erl&ing text !ile# on opening application an# sa%es them into 1*V !iles on closing application. (he !ollo"ing !lat text !iles ussual& calle# 1*V ta)les (?1omma *eparate# Values? , are use# )& ExpressMRP an# are place# in application !ol#er, 82ata9 su)!ol#er= A- Pri!ar0 ta%les ' those that requires #ata input !rom a user or import !rom external 1*V !iles. (he& are imme#iatel& sa%e# on an& change )& user. ExpressMRPOptions-cs. ' stores %alues o! glo)al options, such as "hether #ot or comma is use# as #ecimal separator, !loat %alues #ispla& !ormat etc. ,ilters-cs. ' stores custom, user'#e!ine# !ilters. Products-cs. ' hol#s in!ormation a)out pro#ucts an# their )ase quantities. 5ase quantit& is a quantit& o! pro#uct !or "hich )ill o! materials is expresse#. :or example, 1 pcs or 1000 pcs or 100 .g... $oms-cs. ' stores in!ormation a)out the )ills o! materials, listing components "ith their )ase quantities, require# !or pro#uction o! )ase quantities o! pro#ucts.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization Stoc/s-cs. ' hol#s in!o a)out currentl& a%aila)le quantities on stoc.. Orders-cs. ' stores list o! pro#uction or#ers, "ith pro#uction quantities. 0mportVariants-cs.1 0mportToTables-cs.1 0mportTo,ields-cs.1 0mport,romTables-cs.1 0mport,rom,ields-cs. ' these ta)les store in!ormation a)out importing schemes, use# !or import !rom external #ata sources. B- Secondar0 ta%les ' those #atasets that ExpressMRP internall& generates !rom primar& ta)les. Most o! them are sa%e# to un#erl&ing cs% !ile onl& on closing application or explicitl& clic.ing ?*a%e? )utton. *ome o! them are sa%e# #uring MRP calculation. SingleMRPProducts-cs.1 SingleMRPComponents-cs.1 SingleMRP,ooter-cs. ' these ta)les are generate# )& MRP calculation !or in#i%i#ual pro#uct. MultipleMRPProducts-cs.1 MultipleMRPComponents-cs.1 M&ltipleMRPProductsSummar"-cs.1 MultipleMRPComponentsSummar"-cs. ' these ta)les are generate# )& MRP calculation !or multiple pro#ucts7pro#uction or#ers. &ni#ueComponents-cs.1 &ni#ueComponentsProducts-cs. ' these ta)les are generate# )& materials usage list calculation.

&ser 0nterface Elements

ExpressMRP has simple an# straight!or"ar# user inter!ace. 0pplication is consiste# o! one main !orm an# !e" auxiliar& !orms popping up "hen :in# (searching , :ilter or Export !unctionalities are acti%ate#. Main !orm is organi-e# in ta)sheet pages an# su)pages. (a)sheet pages contain one or more sections separate# )& splitters, "hich &ou can !reel& mo%e an# enlarge section o! interest. E%er& section contains #atagri#s "ith columns sho"ing #ata. 5& clic.ing column,s title &ou can sort a #ataset )& the column, ascen#ing or #escen#ing. 0)o%e e%er& gri#, there is a ri))on "ith )uttons !or #ata na%igation, sa%ing, loa#ing, exporting, searching, !iltering, reporting, starting calculation etc. <n application close, ExpressMRP sa%es positions o! e%er& splitters on pages an# columns in #atagri#s. (his "a&, ExpressMRP remem)ers &our %isual

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization customi-ations. <n next application start, it "ill loa# sa%e# customi-ations !rom !xml !iles "hich are store# in the application !ol#er, su)'!ol#er 8*essionProperties9. 1ommon )uttons use# throughout application are=

,ind2 ,ilter and Export buttons

Find %utton
+hen &ou clic. 8:in#9 )utton, a pop'up "in#o" !or custom searching on #ataset "ill appear. :rom com)o)ox list choose a !iel# on "hich search action "ill )e per!orme#, then clic. ?:in#?. $! ExpressMRP !in#s appropriate %alue, cursor "ill )e place# on correspon#ing ro".

Filter %utton
Aotice ?:ilter? )utton place# on most ri))ons, a)o%e #atagri#s. +hen &ou clic. it, a pop'up "in#o" !or !iltering #ataset "ill appear.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

:ilters are %er& po"er!ul "a& to narro" resultset o! MRP calculation to onl& those recor#s that are o! interest.

Export %utton
Aotice ?Export? )utton place# on most ri))ons a)o%e #atagri#s. +hen &ou clic. it, a pop'up "in#o" !or exporting #ataset "ill appear.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization

(his ena)les &ou to export a #ataset to speci!ie# 1*V ta)le. Enter the !ull path an# name o! exporte# 1*V !ile, speci!& #ecimal separator an# !iel# #elimiter an# clic. ?*a%e !ile? )utton.

Clear2 Sa.e and 'oad buttons

&1lear& %utton #eletes all recor#s !rom a #ataset, &Save& %utton imme#iatel& sa%es #ataset to un#erl&ing 1*V !ile, "hile &5oad& %utton loa#s #ata !rom un#erl&ing 1*V ta)le into in'memor& #ataset.

)atagrid na.igation buttons

0 #atagri# control representing a #ataset can )e na%igate# )& mouse scrolling, )& .e&)oar# or )& using 25na%igator )uttons in the ri))on a)o%e the #atagri#. 5esi#es na%igation )uttons, #)na%igator has )uttons !or insert, up#ate an# #elete o! recor#s in the #ataset.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization (he )uttons are= 8:irst9, 8Prior9, 8Aext9, 8>ast9, 8$nsert9, 82elete9, 8E#it9, 8Post9, 81ancel9, 8Re!resh9.

&se 0ndexes C!ec/box

Aotice 8Ise $n#exes9 chec.)oxes place# on ri))ons a)o%e #atagri#s. $! 8Ise $n#exes9 chec.)ox is chec.e#, recor#s in the #ataset "ill )e sorte# )& $2 column. $n practical sense, that means that "hen a recor# is manuall& inserte#, it "ill )e appen#e# to en# o! the list. $! 8Ise $n#exes9 chec.)ox is unchec.e#, the so'calle# 8#e!ault or#er9 is use#, meaning that recor#s are not sorte# )& $2 column or an& other column. +hen a recor# is manuall& a##e# )& pressing )utton 8$nsert9, the ne" recor# is inserte# )e!ore the current recor#, rather than appen#e# on the en# o! the list. 1lic.ing on an& column title "ill cause sorting ascen#ing or #escen#ing )& that particular column. $n )ac.groun#, that is achie%e# )& creating in#ex on the #atasetEs !iel#. Values (chec.e#7unchec.e# are sa%e# in session properties.

i((erent 3ersions And 5icensin$ Issues

ExpressMRP 2.R is o!!ere# as share"are so!t"are in "hich )asic !eatures are !ree, "hile pre!iu! options are ena)le# i! appropriate license# release code is purchase# an# entere#. Pre!iu!6 paid6 (eatures are the !ollo"ing= < < < Printa)le reports Exportin$ #atasets to sprea#sheets (!iles "ith .cs% extension creating an# loa#ing persistent %ackups

Ipon !irst installation o! ExpressMRP so!t"are, time an# num)er o! #a&s limite# trial perio# is starte#, in "hich premium !eatures are ena)le# !or e%aluation purposes. 0!ter trial perio#, &ou can !reel& continue using )asic !unctionalities o! the so!t"are, "ithout premium !eatures. $! &ou "ish to use the premium !eatures (printa)le reports, exporting, )ac.ups , &ou nee# to purchase commercial release co#e.

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ExpressMRP MRP software for production planning and optimization 0t the moment o! "riting, commercial release co#es can )e purchase# !or one machine 7!or perio# o! 12 months.

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