While you technically don’t have to use Master Production Numbers (MPNs), it is highly recommended! Clients are able to get away with not using them, but they end up not fully utilizing the software. MPNs link PdOs together so the system knows they’re related. Some things that MPNs do for you:
- Allows you to move multiple PdOs at once when connected by the same MPN (http://support.orchestrated.com/hc/en-us/articles/206420098-Scheduler)
- Run reports such as Production Order Status by MPN (http://support.orchestrated.com/hc/en-us/articles/206432598-Production-Order-Status-by-MPN) or Production Yield Summary (http://support.orchestrated.com/hc/en-us/articles/207138727-Production-Yield-Summary) which wouldn’t work without an MPN attached
- Increases speed/accuracy when expressing production orders through the Production Worksheets by quickly locating the MPN for each PdO to process (i.e. MPN “50” is easier to trace all the way through than “IPA101” when “IPA110” and “IPA107” appear on the worksheet list)
For more information, see:
http://support.orchestrated.com/hc/en-us/articles/206419358-Master-Production-Numbers-Overview
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