What is a batch instance?

At a visual level an instance is a single line in your inventory list. It represents a quantity of stock that has the same dimensions and the same history. Any item within an instance is considered to be equally suitable as any other from the same instance. This is the level that provides your batch traceability and the level from which stock allocations are made by the scheduler.

The system knows where your batch instances came from and where they went. Each instance has a source that is one of:

Invented

This is used to indicate the instance was ‘invented’ by direct entry to the inventory list. This means the system does not know where it came from. This is mostly used to load your existing stock when you first start using the system.

Bought

This indicates the instance was purchased from a supplier. The system can show you the purchase order raised to buy these instances.

Made

This indicates you made the instance. The system can show you the works order raised to make these instances.

Returned

This indicates the instance was returned as excess kit from a works order or a sub-contract purchase order. This most often happens when a bar, extrusion or sheet is cut up to do a job and some is left over. The left over pieces will be a different size to the original so they are returned to a different instance. The system can show you the works order or purchase order that returned the stock.

Sub-contracted

This indicates a sub-contractor produced the instance. The system can show you the sub-contract purchase order raised to make these instances.

Transferred

This indicates the instance is a stock transfer from another instance. This is mostly used to correct book-in errors or to re-work failed stock. The system can show you the original instance the stock came from.

Each instance also has a state. This can be either reserved or committed or done.

A reserved instance is one that has been planned, but no works order or purchase order has yet been raised. Reserved instances are created by the scheduler when it examines your order book. In a sense, a reserved instance represents an intention to acquire the stock. This stock is not real; you can’t go and count it because it doesn’t exist.

A committed instance is one where the works order or purchase order has been raised, but the stock has not yet arrived. In a sense, a committed instance represents work in progress. This stock is not real; you can’t go and count it because it doesn’t exist in its finished condition yet.

A done instance is stock that does exist now or did in the past. Done stock that is still on the shelf can be either good or failed or dead or expired (see What is stock?). Only good stock is available for use to fulfil orders.