In order to simplify the tutorial, the ERPlite source code version download includes sample data (DbM_be.mdb) required for exporting to MRPlitePlanner. This sample data facilitates learning the import/export functionality, without having to enter tons of data.
The basic exporting process is:
1. Create the Shop Floor Control Configuration Data.
ERPlite Switchboard -> Itemaster/BOMs -> SFC Configuration
1.1. Step 1: Time Definition
Note that only a portion of the Time Definition data is exported to MRPliteplanner. You need to edit the Time Definition data in Planner to make it identical to the data stored in ERPlite, once you have opened Planner.
1.1.1 Enter the Company Time Definition (use the sample data shown below until you understand changes that you would like).
1.1.2 Enter the Calendar Definitions.
Note: Calendar name is exported to Planner as a field in the Labor and Equipment groups. Thus, the spelling of Calendar name above must be the same as in Planner (to keep it simple, avoid special characters like spaces embedded in names or on the front or end of names.
1.2. Step 2: Define Labour Groups
1.3. Step 3: Define Equipment Groups
Following are two sample Equipment Groups from the sample data:
1.4 Step 4: Define Operations
The sample data assumes a simple final assembly process:
START -> ASSEMBLY->LOADTEST->FINISH
Following are the Operations definition screens for this process:
Step 4: Define Routing Lists in ItemMaster
Following is a completed routing list:
Note that the routing for the PRD1000 is a non-linear extension of the simple routing list above.
The flow is :
START->ASSEMBLY->LOADTEST-> FINISH OR REWORK and send back to LOADTEST.
The output of LOADTEST is specified as the % that FINISH and the % that go to REWORK.
In order to construct the routing list, the OPERATIONS have to have been previously defined (step 4 above). The first operation must start with START:
Then the following screen results:
Pick the first TO operation after start (say ASSEMBLY):
Note that the details of the chosen operation are displayed on the right. The Operations Name cannot be edited on this screen (greyed out), because it must be defined in an earlier step. However, you can customize the description and some other parameters of this operation.
Continue adding operations until you get the final routing list:
2. Create the Scheduling Data.
ERPlite Switchboard -> MRPlitePlanner -> Export
The Time Definition tab is displayed:
Note: Sorry, but due to a software problem, only 1 plan can be saved and used at present.
When you click on the Forecast Demand tab, you may get the following error message. Ignore it and click on OK.
Then, the Forecast Demand screen displays. Click on the ProductID pulldown menu and select an product to be forecasted:
Then:
Enter the forecast:
Repeat for all forecasted products.
3. Export the data to MRPlitePlanner.
ERPlite Switchboard -> MRPlitePlanner -> Export.
When you are finished creating the data, then click on the EXPORT button on the above screen to export the data to the following set of files, in the directory C:\DbM\ExportedFiles\MRPlitePlanner
SP_PlanX_Components.txt (called BOMs in ERPlite)
SP_PlanX_CustomerOrders.txt
SP_PlanX_Demand.txt
SP_PlanX_Equipment.txt
SP_PlanX_Inventory.txt
SP_PlanX_Labour.txt
SP_PlanX_MfgOrders.txt (called WO's in ERPlite)
SP_PlanX_Operations.txt
SP_PlanX_Parts.txt
SP_PlanX_PurchaseOrders.txt
SP_PlanX_Routings.txt
SP_PlanX_TimeParameters.txt **
** (NB Do not import the TimeParameters file. see note in step 4.)
These files are tab delimited, ascii text files. That is the fields are separated by tabs (as opposed to commas).
4. Open the MRPlitePlanner .
File -> N ew
Currently, it is not possible to import the Time Definition data from ERPlite. On the top toolbar, click on Time. Then, enter the time and calendar data to agree with the entries in ERPlite.
5. Use the File -> Save As command to save the template under the name of your plan (say Plan1).
6. Import the data stored in Step 3 above, according to the process described in the MRPlitePlanner On-Line Help page called :
MRPlitePlanner->Help->Help Topics->Index->Import Command
Note that to import the sample data, you need to:
MRPlitePlanner->File->Import->Routing Style = Non-Linear
MRPlitePlanner->File->Import-> Start Import
A multi-tab form is presented with a tab for each file to be imported.
Do not import the Time Definition file (see note above).
For each tab,
Select Activate Import.
Browse to select the pathname of the source data file. In our example the pathname will be like C:\DbM\ExportedFiles\MRPliteplanner\SP_PlanX_Parts.txt, not ...SP1_Parts.txt as shown in the screen snap below.
Select tab for "Data elements separated how?".
The other options can be left at their default for the tutorial.
Click "Apply" to import the data.
Repeat step 6 to Import all tabs except: Customer Orders, Manufacturing Orders, and Purchase Orders. These tabs work, but no sample data has been included in the download.
For your first import exercise, we recommend importing the data one file at a time. However, this will be tedious to do on an ongoing basis. Instead, Click "OK" once the parameters are set for each tab. This will store the parameters. Then, you simple set the "Activate" button for each tab that you want to import and then click "Apply' to import all selected files. Since ERPlite always stores the files in the same directory, this stored list of parameters can be used over and over for the same plan files(SP_Planx) in the example).
Importing data from MRPlitePlanner
7.1 Close MRPlitePlanner and reopen it (this step is necessary at present to initialize MRPlitePlanner for the MRP calculations.
7.2 Generate the MRP calculations:
MRPlitePlanner->Compute
8. Open the Planned PO report:
MRPlitePlanner->Reports->Purchase Orders due for release
9. Save the report as a txt file:
MRPlitePlanner->File->Save Output
Save the file under a meaningful name in a directory of your choice.
10. Import the Planned PO's to ERPlite:
ERPlite Switchboard -> MRPlitePlanner -> Import.
Use the explorer like window to find the pathname of the file stored in step 9 above.
11. The imported table of PO's has a checkbox to let you decide if you want to import all or some of the planned orders. You also can consolidate planned PO's into one or more groups.
This gives you another opportunity to consolidate orders, before creating the planned orders in ERPlite.
12. Repeat steps 8 to 11 for Work Orders (Manufacturing Orders).
If you have any questions, contact support@erplite.com.