You can attach master data information to production orders in Business Central at three levels: the production order header, the production order lines, and the production order components. This gives you a structured way to carry instructions, files, and notes through to the shop floor.
You can view all this information in one place using the production order information view, which is available in the mobile shop floor solution. It collects data from the header, lines, and components so your production staff can see everything related to an order without digging through separate cards.
Master data on production order lines can be transferred from sales orders. If you use the function to update master data from sales orders, leave that to your salespeople to avoid overwriting data at the wrong level.
Master data on components can default from the item card and transfer to the production order, or you can enter it manually per component line.
Three levels of master data on production orders
Master data information can be added to production order headers, production order lines, and production order components. Each level serves a different purpose.
On the production order header, you add master data that relates to the overall production order, meaning anything that applies to the order as a whole. You can edit this manually, adding lines, deleting lines, and so on.
On the production order lines, you can add master data information too. Be aware that this data can also come from the sales order. If you have more than one production order line, each line can carry its own master data information, and they may differ from line to line.
On the components, you can add master data information to each component line. For example, on a frame component you might add a note saying to use a frame from a mountain bike if there are none left. That instruction stays attached to that specific component line.
Where component master data comes from
Master data on components can come from two sources. It can default from the item card and be transferred to the production order, or you can enter it manually on each component line.
This makes it a useful place to capture information that is specific to a single component, whether that is a handling instruction, a substitution note, or any other detail your production staff need.
Updating line master data from sales orders
There is a function to update master data on the production order lines directly from the sales order. Because this pulls data from the sales side, we normally recommend that you save this work for the salespeople rather than handling it in production.
Seeing all master data in one view
The production order information view lets you see master data from the header, the lines, and the components together. You can choose to look at master data only from the header, master data on all the component lines, or all the master data related to the entire production order, covering the header, the lines, and the components.
Looking at everything at once gives you a complete picture. This can be a lot of information, and it may include files that you need to download or open.
Access from the shop floor overview
The same information is available from the shop floor overview. When you open the shop floor overview and search for a specific production order, you see the operations for that order. From the menu, you can open exactly the same production order information.
This makes it possible for your people in the production area to get to the information very quickly. It could be a file coming from the sales order with a picture, or an instruction manual coming from the item card.
Q&A
At what levels can you add master data to a production order?
You can add master data information at three levels: the production order header, the production order lines, and the production order components. The header level covers information for the overall order, the line level can carry data from sales orders, and the component level can default from the item card or be entered manually.
Where does master data on a component line come from?
It can default from the item card and be transferred to the production order, or you can enter it manually on each component line.
Who should update master data from the sales order?
Business Central has a function to update master data on the production order lines from the sales order. We normally recommend leaving this to the salespeople rather than handling it in production.
Where can production staff see all the master data for an order?
They can use the production order information view, which is available in the mobile shop floor solution, and access the same information from the shop floor overview. The view collects master data from the header, lines, and components, and can include files such as pictures from the sales order or instruction manuals from the item card.