Reservation types

There are three types of reservations you can associate with your parts:

• UID-based

• Quantity-based

• Flexible UID-based

The default reservation type is defined on the Global Options tab in the NPI client application (Configuration > Settings area), but can also be set at the part number level in the Part Library if you want to override the default.

Note

See Set up the default reservation type and Set up a reservation type in the Part Library for more information.)

UID-based reservation type

The UID reservation type dictates that the FactoryLogix reservation system will reserve specific instances (UIDs) of the materials in the correct quantities needed for production. When transport orders are generated, they will call out specific UIDs for order pickers to pull from stock.

Important

There are special user permissions which may allow an order picker to pull a UID that is different from the one specified. See Work with transport orders for more information about these user permissions.

Quantity-based reservation type

The Quantity reservation type is commonly used for bulk parts such as hardware that are typically stored in bags or boxes in large quantities.

When the Quantity reservation type is used, the specific UID (based on FIFO rules) is displayed on the transport order along with the quantity needed for the batch. When pulling this item, the operator will scan the UID, then indicate the quantity being pulled from that UID. FactoryLogix will then generate a new UID to represent the subset of the parent inventory item and decrement the quantity on hand by the pulled amount—this way, only the actual quantity required is transported to the factory floor rather than the entire box of parts.

Flexible UID-based reservation strategy 

The Flexible UID reservation type is used for items where some flexibility is warranted—as long as the part being pulled from stock is correct (that is, the item has the correct part number), order pickers are permitted to pull any part they want. In these cases, FactoryLogix doesn’t even specify a UID to pull, just the specific part number.

Use case example

You are building a modular server rack that calls for three Samsung 980 Pro 1TB NVMe SSDs. In the warehouse, there is a shelf location containing 150 of this exact item. With the Flexible UID reservation strategy, the order picker is permitted to pull any three of those devices from stock for the batch, regardless of FIFO dates. FactoryLogix will validate that the correct part is being pulled but will not dictate a specific UID to be pulled.