BOMs, routings and change requests

A BOM lists what one product is built from and the routing steps to build it, revision by revision. A released revision is locked; changes go through a change request and, if you require it, approval.

Where it is

Settings for this

Manufacturing → Settings — Require approval for BOM changes; let people approve their own changes.
Manufacturing → Work centres — Where each routing step runs and what an hour there costs.
Settings → Team → Roles — Create and edit BOMs; Approve or reject BOM changes.

Create a BOM

Open Manufacturing → BOMs and press New BOM.
Pick the product you make. Start empty, or copy the components of a kit you already sell. It starts as draft Rev A.
Components: Add component for each part with its Qty / build, unit (converted to the part's stock unit), Scrap %, how it is issued (Backflush on completion or By hand) and whether it is a Phantom (a sub-assembly exploded into its own parts). Copy from kit adds a kit's parts.
Yield per build: how many one build makes.
Routing: Add operation for each step with its Seq, Work centre, Setup (min, per build), Run (min, per unit), instructions, whether it needs QC, and optional Outside work (a sublet product and contractor).
Options (optional): extras an order can pick, each with its own components and what it is Sold as. Options carry components only, not extra routing.
Attach drawings, specs and work instructions under Documents. They show on the order, its workshop job and the traveller.

Standard cost (ex GST) shows the base build's cost, to people who can see costs.

Release it

A draft can't be built. When it's right:

If approval is off, or you can approve: Release Rev A (or Release now).
Otherwise: Submit for approval, give a reason, and an approver presses Approve & release (or Reject with a reason; it goes back to draft).

The first release needs someone who can approve BOM changes.

Change a released BOM

A released revision is locked. To change it:

Press Start change → Rev B. It copies the released revision into a new draft and asks for the reason. The released one stays in use until the change is approved.
Edit the draft.
Tick Apply to open orders if open orders should move onto the new revision.
Submit for approval (or release directly if approval is off). Withdraw pulls it back.

Once released, the old revision is Superseded. Compare revisions shows what changed, and Change history records every release with its reason and approver.

Change requests

Manufacturing → Change requests lists every change, newest first: Awaiting approval, Drafts, Decided, All. Click one to open the BOM on the proposed revision, where approve and reject are.

If something's not right

Release or Submit is greyed with "Add a component first": a BOM needs at least one component.
"You raised this change, so another approver has to decide it": self-approval is off. Owners and admins are the exception.
"Waiting for a manager to approve": you can't approve; someone with Approve or reject BOM changes must.
"Set up work centres in Settings → Workshop": no work centres to pick for an operation.
Delete BOM only shows while every revision is still a draft. It can't be undone.