Within Epicor iScala the manufacturing process is used to plan, control and execute all manufacturing activities based on MRP II concepts and work orders. Most repetitive manufacturing and re-manufacturing environments are supported, from simple assembly through to complex production lines with multiple work centers. This is accomplished by combining the many features including bills-of-materials (BOM) with multiple assembly levels and variants and multiple costing models e.g. standard, actual, FIFO etc. Costs can even be simulated depending on which routings, variants, work centers etc. are selected. Epicor iScala Manufacturing includes integration to production systems through the Manufacturing Application Integration connectivity solution and can be enhanced with graphical capacity planning and other Epicor iScala tools.

BASIC MANUFACTURING DATA
Within the manufacturing process detailed information can be managed for stock items, BOMs, work centers, tools calendars, configurations, kitting and routings.

ACTUAL AND STANDARD COSTING
The Epicor iScala manufacturing process supports both standard costing and actual costing, based on batch control or true FIFO (First-in Firstout) as required. Actual costs are linked to production time for the costing of work centre and tool usage, resource usage for wages, material costs etc. and scraping. It can also include sub-contracted cost if required. Variations against standard cost can be tracked and reported along with the value of work-in-progress (WIP), enabling management to actively manage and control the production process.

MASTER PRODUCTION SCHEDULE (MPS)
Within the Epicor iScala manufacturing process the MPS is based on the aggregation of current demand from other Epicor iScala processes, such as sales orders, stock levels and future forecasted demand. The MPS then creates a product plan based on this demand. Capacity requirement planning is then run to quickly check that planned production is realistic based on available capacity in the factory or assembly plant.

MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS PLANNING
Once the master production schedule has been approved and released Epicor iScala generates a material requirement plan. The MRP utilizes the BOMs, routing, lead times, existing stock levels and other pre-defined information to create a work order proposal and, if there is insufficient raw material for the proposed production, a purchase order proposal. An action list is also produced that identifies any orders that need to be speeded up, changed or cancelled. Each proposed work or purchase can then be selected and converted into a confirmed order. Confirmed purchase orders are fully integrated into Epicor iScala Material Management.

ORDER PLANNING
Using the material requirements planning process is just one way within Epicor iScala to create work orders. Other methods include creating repeat work orders or generating them directly from sales orders. Once created, work orders can be released from the work order proposal list ready for capacity planning or placed in a job queue and then later released based on demand and capacity.

CAPACITY REQUIREMENT PLANNING (LOADING) AND SHOP FLOOR CONTROL
In a perfect world there would be infinite capacity and all purchase orders would be delivered on time. Epicor iScala’s CRP and SFC features help production staff to work within real-world limits, quickly identifying capacity or resource shortages and balancing production across available work centers. Shop floor staff can use these features to check their production schedules and, in real-time, see when daily plans have been changed by their manager.

CONFIGURATION TOOL
Within a bill of material there may be a number of assembly options and optional part. The selection of these items is made either at the time of the sale or when the engineer finalizes the specification. The Epicor iScala configuration tool can be used to assist the sales staff and engineers to review these alternatives, make the appropriate selections and then store the selection against the sales or work order as appropriate.