If you use the production module in Business Central, you can assign quantity to the component lines on a production order. Component lines count as demand, just like sales order lines, and the assigned quantity tells the system that a specific quantity is reserved or committed to that demand.
You control whether the assignment happens automatically or manually. The setup sits in the Item Availability General Setup under the Assign Quantity tab. If you enable auto-assign for production order lines, the system only assigns quantity automatically on released production orders.
When you change the quantity on a component line, the system assigns up to the available quantity. If less is available than you need, it assigns what it can and leaves the rest unassigned.
How assigned quantity relates to demand on production orders
Assigned quantity relates to demand lines. If you use the production module, a production order has component lines, and those components are demands. This works the same way as demand on sales order lines.
When you enter a quantity on a production order and refresh the order, the system can automatically assign quantity to the component lines. You can also do the assignment manually instead.
How automatic assignment works when you change quantities
On a production order line, you enter the components. In a typical scenario you might set an expected quantity of 18 on the production order. The assigned quantity base then fills in automatically and relates to the remaining quantity.
If you change the quantity on one of the component lines, the assignment adjusts. Say you need 20 per piece for one component, the expected quantity becomes 360. If only 210 is available to assign, the system assigns 210 and leaves the rest open. The system never assigns more than the available quantity.
Setting up automatic assignment for production order lines
You make the setup in the Item Availability General Setup, on the Assign Quantity tab, in the section at the bottom. Here you can enable auto-assign for production order lines.
This setting only applies to released production orders. The system assigns quantity automatically for released production orders, not for firm planned orders through this setup.
Assigning quantity manually on production orders
You are not limited to automatic assignment. You can enter the assigned quantity manually, the same way you do on sales order lines.
There is also a function on both the released production order and the firm planned production order where you can assign manually to that one specific production order.
Q&A
What is assigned quantity on a production order?
Assigned quantity relates to demand lines. On a production order, the component lines are demands, and the assigned quantity tells the system what quantity is committed to those component demands.
Where do you set up automatic assignment of production order lines?
You set it up in the Item Availability General Setup under the Assign Quantity tab, in the section at the bottom where you enable auto-assign for production order lines.
Does automatic assignment apply to all production orders?
No. The automatic assignment only applies to released production orders. Firm planned production orders are not assigned automatically through this setup.
What happens if there is not enough quantity available to assign?
The system assigns only the available quantity. For example, if you need 360 but only 210 is available, it assigns 210 and leaves the rest unassigned.
Can you assign quantity manually instead of automatically?
Yes. You can enter the assigned quantity manually, just as you can on sales order lines. There is also a function on the released and firm planned production orders to assign manually to that single order.