Glossary -> Links
Links are the heart of a PFEP system. A Link connects a specific Part Number with a specific Point-of-Use, along with information about how often this Part is used (i.e. 50% of the time we use these bolts to attach an optional component) and how many of these Parts are used at a time (i.e. when used, we use 4 of these bolts each time we attach that optional component) and where this Part comes from (i.e. Warehouse Address).
Because one of the primary goals of this entire process is to enable your Assembly Lines to run smoothly, without Part shortages, you may want your PFEP system to also track information about what to do if there is a Part shortage. Do you want to have valid substitutions already on file? Do you want particular buyers or engineers automatically notified? Should this be tracked at the Part, Link or WorkCenter level? (This is a hypothetical example about ATMs. It makes sense to try to use the same relatively low-cost bolt in as many places as possible. That Part, the bolt, would be the responsibility of a single buyer. On the other hand, that bolt might be used at the WorkCenter that builds the outer cases, as well as at a WorkCenter that connects internal components. In that case, there might be one engineer responsible for the outer case of the ATM, but another one in charge of the internal components. When a material handler notices that the company is running low on the bolt, they probably will want to notify the buyer. (Of course, the Inventory management system should have already done so, but...) If there is going to be a shortage, then material handler would want to discuss other options with the engineers involved. The engineer in charge of the internal components might be okay with "whatever works" and possibly only chose the particular bolt because it was used elsewhere. On the other hand, the engineer in charge of the outer case would probably insist on a very specific type of substitute bolt (i.e. one that is strong enough to withstand a certain amount of force). It's possible that if the coming Part shortage is caught soon enough, the current stock of heavy-duty bolts could all be used for the outer case and a substitute could be used for the internal components. If your company can already handle these situations, great. If not, then you should consider if your PFEP system could help you with these situations in the future.
Because one of the primary goals of this entire process is to enable your Assembly Lines to run smoothly, without Part shortages, you may want your PFEP system to also track information about what to do if there is a Part shortage. Do you want to have valid substitutions already on file? Do you want particular buyers or engineers automatically notified? Should this be tracked at the Part, Link or WorkCenter level? (This is a hypothetical example about ATMs. It makes sense to try to use the same relatively low-cost bolt in as many places as possible. That Part, the bolt, would be the responsibility of a single buyer. On the other hand, that bolt might be used at the WorkCenter that builds the outer cases, as well as at a WorkCenter that connects internal components. In that case, there might be one engineer responsible for the outer case of the ATM, but another one in charge of the internal components. When a material handler notices that the company is running low on the bolt, they probably will want to notify the buyer. (Of course, the Inventory management system should have already done so, but...) If there is going to be a shortage, then material handler would want to discuss other options with the engineers involved. The engineer in charge of the internal components might be okay with "whatever works" and possibly only chose the particular bolt because it was used elsewhere. On the other hand, the engineer in charge of the outer case would probably insist on a very specific type of substitute bolt (i.e. one that is strong enough to withstand a certain amount of force). It's possible that if the coming Part shortage is caught soon enough, the current stock of heavy-duty bolts could all be used for the outer case and a substitute could be used for the internal components. If your company can already handle these situations, great. If not, then you should consider if your PFEP system could help you with these situations in the future.
