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Manufacturing & Production

Manage the conversion of Raw Materials into Finished Goods with our integrated MES.

The Manufacturing module transforms Stratagem into a full Manufacturing Execution System (MES). It manages the conversion of Raw Materials into Finished Goods.

1. Defining the Recipe (BOM)

Before you can produce anything, you must define the Bill of Materials.

Creating a BOM

  1. Go to BOM Management > Create BOM.
  2. Select Product: Choose the finished good you are building.
  3. Add Components:
    • Raw Materials: Non-sellable items like packaging or ingredients.
    • Products: Sellable items used as sub-assemblies.
  4. Production Steps: Define the workflow (e.g., "Cutting", "Sewing") and estimated cycle times.

2. Scheduling Production

Create a Manufacturing Order (MO) to start a job.

  • Automatic Check: Stratagem instantly checks component availability.
  • Smart Schedule: Click "Smart Schedule" to auto-assign start/end dates based on business hours and estimated cycle times.

3. The Operator View

This is a simplified, tablet-friendly interface for staff on the shop floor.

Operator Workflow

  1. Tabs: Operators see "Ready to Start" (materials allocated) vs "In Progress".
  2. Start Job: Clicking Start logs the actual start time.
  3. View BOM: They can view component lists and step instructions without leaving the screen.
  4. Complete: Log finished units.

4. Cost & Inventory Impact

Manufacturing is not just about tracking time; it's about tracking value.

  • Backflushing: When an MO is completed, the system automatically deducts component stock and adds finished good stock.
  • Cost Roll-up: The cost of the finished good is calculated as the sum of all component costs.

💡 Expert Tips

  • Auto-Schedule: Use the "Auto Schedule" button on the main Manufacturing page to optimize your production calendar based on due dates.
  • Raw Materials: Keep your Raw Material costs updated. If the price of cardboard goes up, your finished product margin should reflect that immediately.
  • Partial Completion: Encourage operators to log completions daily, even for large jobs.

Other Resources

Automation & Workflow
Inventory Intelligence (The Buy Table)