Walkthrough: Variants

This article describes how to use the Contoso Coffee demo data to learn about variants.

Scenario

You're the production planner at Contoso Coffee, and you must update the demand forecast for each variant of item SP-SCM1006, AutoDripLite. Because each variant has a different color, you must make sure that you use the correct bill of materials (BOM) for them. To calculate supply, run the planning worksheet.

Steps

1. Set up the stockkeeping units (SKUs) for item SP-SCM1006, AutoDripLite. Assign a BOM to a SKU with the variants RED and WHITE.

   1. Choose the icon, enter items, and then choose the related link.

   2. Open the item SP-SCM1006, AutoDripLite.

   3. Choose the Create Stockkeeping Unit action.

   4. Set the Create Per field to Location & Variant.

   5. Set a filter for the MAIN location, and then choose OK.

   6. Choose the Stockkeeping Units action.

   7. Update the production BOMs for the following stockkeeping units:

      1. For RED on MAIN, set SP-SCM1006-RED.
      2. For WHITE on MAIN, set SP-SCM1006-WHITE.
      3. Leave the Production BOM No. field empty for BLACK on MAIN.

2. Update your inventory setup to respect demand forecast on locations and variants.

   1. Choose the icon, enter Inventory Setup, and then choose the related link.
   2. Turn on the Use forecast on location toggle.
   3. Turn on the Use forecast on variant toggle.
   4. Close the Inventory Setup page.

3. Create a new monthly demand forecast named AUTODRIP. Filter the forecast by the item SP-SCM1006 and location MAIN. Set the demand for May for each variant.

   1. Choose the icon, enter Demand Forecast, and then select the related link.

   2. Create a new demand forecast named AUTODRIP.

   3. Choose the Edit Demand Forecast action.

   4. In the View by field, select Month.

   5. In the Item Filter field, select SP-SCM1006

   6. Turn on the Use forecast on location toggle.

   7. In the Location Filter field, select MAIN.

   8. Turn on the Use forecast on variant toggle.

   9. For each line, update the values in the May column, as follows:

      1. For RED on MAIN, set 100.
      2. For WHITE on MAIN, set 200.
      3. For BLACK on MAIN, set 300.

   10. Close the Demand Forecast page.

4. Run MPS planning in May for the demand forecasts. Review the components to ensure that item paint (color) is correct for each variant.

   1. Choose the icon, enter Planning Worksheets, and then choose the related link.
   2. Choose the Calculate Regenerative Plan action.
   3. Turn on the MPS toggle.
   4. Turn off the MRP toggle.
   5. In the Starting Date field, select May 1.
   6. In the Ending Date field, select May 31.
   7. In the Use Forecast field, select AUTODRIP.
   8. Choose OK.
   9. For each created line, choose the Components action and review which paint is used.

Related information

Introduction to Contoso Coffee Demo Data