The simple MRP in Business Central lets you split a single demand across several supplies. Instead of being forced to cover a requirement from one source, you can keep the planning lines after carrying out and change the replenishment system line by line.
You enable this by checking the “Keep lines after carrying out” field on the planning line. This keeps your line in the planning worksheet so you can cover the same demand from multiple vendors, multiple transfer locations, or a mix of purchase, transfer, and production.
You can also split a supply across different delivery dates from the same vendor. When you carry out, Business Central asks whether to create a new line or add to the existing line for that vendor. Lines for the same vendor end up on the same purchase order with different delivery dates.
How to split a demand across several supplies in the simple MRP
Start by taking a normal planning template to find your critical items. In this example, the location is Copenhagen, which is a sales shop. Normally you would transfer items into that shop, so all items are suggested as transfers from the production location.
When you calculate the suggested quantity to order, the default handling is to transfer all those quantities into the shop. But you might not want to cover everything from one source.
Take the first item as an example. You only have one unit on your main location, so you want to transfer that single unit and get the rest from somewhere else. Select one unit in the planning line and check the “Keep lines after carrying out” field.
Before carrying out, you can open the planning worksheet to confirm it is empty. When you carry out, Business Central creates a line for that one unit and puts it into the planning worksheet as a transfer line. If you carry that out, it creates a transfer order.
Covering the remaining demand from different sources
For the remaining quantity, you can choose a different source. You can transfer from another location, purchase from a vendor, or produce the item yourself.
If you buy two units from a vendor, carrying out adds those units to the planning worksheet with a purchase replenishment system. You can then get another quantity from a different vendor. As long as the vendor number or the transfer-from location is different, Business Central simply adds new lines in the planning worksheet.
Splitting supplies from the same vendor across different dates
You can also order from the same vendor for two different dates. Say vendor 50,000 ships three units now, but you also want ten more units later in September because you are preparing for a big sale.
When you carry out and there is already a line for that vendor, Business Central asks whether you want to create a new line or add to the existing line. If you choose to create a new line, you end up with two lines for vendor 50,000 with two different dates.
When you carry these out together, they go onto the same purchase order. The vendor then sees they have to deliver three units on one date and ten units on the other date.
This way the simple MRP journal lets you split a single demand across different supply channels, vendors, locations, and delivery dates from one place.
Q&A
How do I split one demand across several supplies in the simple MRP?
Check the “Keep lines after carrying out” field on the planning line. This keeps the line in the planning worksheet so you can cover the same demand from multiple vendors, transfer locations, or a mix of purchase, transfer, and production.
What does the “Keep lines after carrying out” field do?
It keeps the planning line available after you carry it out, instead of removing it. This lets you handle the remaining quantity separately and choose a different replenishment system or source for it.
Can I order the same item from the same vendor for two different delivery dates?
Yes. When you carry out and a line already exists for that vendor, Business Central asks whether to create a new line or add to the existing one. If you create a new line, you get two lines for the same vendor with different dates, and they end up on the same purchase order.
What happens when I add lines for different vendors or locations?
As long as the vendor number or transfer-from location differs, Business Central adds the lines separately in the planning worksheet, so each source is handled on its own.