How do you use the shortage list in Business Central?
When you release a production order, you might want to check the shortage list first to check that everything is in inventory so you can start the production order. Normally, you would do that from a firm planned production order or maybe even a release production order, but I think it’s often a good thing to actually check the production order before releasing it and only releasing it if it’s possible.
This is what happens in the video
Checking the shortage list before releasing a production order in Business Central
When you release a production order, it pays to check the shortage list first. The shortage list tells you whether all the components you need are actually in inventory, so you know whether you can realistically start the production.
You can run the shortage list from a released production order, but it is often a good idea to check it on the firm planned production order before you release it. That way you only release the order if it is actually possible to produce. In this example, we run it from a released production order, but the functionality works the same way on a firm planned production order.
How the shortage list works
On both the released production order and the firm planned production order, you have a function called shortage list. When you run it as a report, it shows your components with the quantity on hand and the remaining quantity, which is the demand quantity you need for the production.
For example, you might need 200 pieces of item 1300, but you only have 180 in stock. That leaves you short by 20 pieces, and the shortage list shows exactly that gap for each component.
What the shortage list should tell you
The goal is for the shortage quantities to be zero before you start the production order. If everything on the list reads zero, you know all the required components are available and the production can run without interruption. If you see a shortage, you know which items you are missing and how many, so you can deal with it before committing to the order.
Q&A
What is the shortage list in a production order?
The shortage list is a function on the production order that shows your components with the quantity on hand and the remaining demand quantity. It highlights any gap between what you need and what you have in inventory.
When should you check the shortage list?
You can check it on a released production order, but it is often better to run it on the firm planned production order before releasing. That way you only release the order if all components are available and production is possible.
What should the shortage quantities be before starting production?
They should be zero. When every component on the shortage list reads zero, all required materials are in inventory and you can start the production order without running short.