BOM script behavior

[dalers]

Now that BOMs can be imported, I'm starting to learn my way around managing them.

I'll probably have more questions....

1. Is there a reason why a "where-used" inquiry leads the user to Costed Bill of Materials Inquiry (BOMInquiry.php) instead of BOM management (BOMs.php)?

For example, search for where part "1521-104K" is used using menu item [Manufacturing > Inquiries and Reports > Where Used Inquiry].

Select BOM 1790-0125-L and get a costed BOM report (BOMInquiry.php).

I'm probably biased but I was expecting BOMs management. Are there any rules / guidelines for whether a query should link to a "management" script or a "report" script?

2. The Part Numbers in an Indented Bill of Materials Listing (BOMIndented.php) don't link to SelectProduct.php like they do in a BOMInquiry.php listing. I edited BOMIndented.php so the parts link. Do you prefer this? If so I will submit a PR.

3. The Part Numbers in a BOM viewed with BOMs.php also don't link to SelectProduct.php. Would it be preferred if they did?

[timschofield]

Now that BOMs can be imported, I'm starting to learn my way around managing them.

I'll probably have more questions....

1. Is there a reason why a "where-used" inquiry leads the user to Costed Bill of Materials Inquiry (BOMInquiry.php) instead of BOM management (BOMs.php)?

For example, search for where part "1521-104K" is used using menu item [Manufacturing > Inquiries and Reports > Where Used Inquiry].

I think most of these links go all the way back to when Phil wrote the manufacturing code and have never been changed. In this particular case though it is very possible that the user who runs a where used inquiry won't have security access to BOMs.php as that allows editing of the BOM

I'm probably biased but I was expecting BOMs management. Are there any rules / guidelines for whether a query should link to a "management" script or a "report" script?

2. The Part Numbers in an Indented Bill of Materials Listing (BOMIndented.php) don't link to SelectProduct.php like they do in a BOMInquiry.php listing. I edited BOMIndented.php so the parts link. Do you prefer this? If so I will submit a PR.

Your change to SelectProduct.php makes sense to me.

3. The Part Numbers in a BOM viewed with BOMs.php also don't link to SelectProduct.php. Would it be preferred if they did?

Agreed, seems reasonable to me.

Tim

[dalers]

In this particular case though it is very possible that the user who runs a where used inquiry won't have security access to BOMs.php as that allows editing of the BOM

My suspicion also. I had been wondering what would be the purpose of BOMInquiry.php if the cost calculations in it were added to BOMs.php, then we would have one less script. The security issue is what prevents that.

I feel this hinders the power user who wants to readily navigate seamlessly through the product structure (parent / child / sibling) and who will have the edit privileges. Is there a way to accomodate both? What if BOMs.php behaved differently depending on whether or not the user has edit privileges? E.g. the current mode is "edit mode" assuming you have edit privileges, which you would still get, and if you didn't have edit privileges you would get "view-only mode".

[dalers]

3. The Part Numbers in a BOM viewed with BOMs.php also don't link to SelectProduct.php. Would it be preferred if they did?

Agreed, seems reasonable to me.

Ok, I will create an issue and assign it to me so I don't forget. #936

[dalers]

As no one objected I sent a PR for "Add PN Links to BOMIndented.php" #935 (my point 2 above).

How does everyone feel about my point 3 above, add links to the "Code" and maybe also the "Description" fields in BOMs to the (and afterwards the selected) product (also SelectProduct.php)?

[dalers]

This expands on the earlier discussion to link part numbers listed by BOMs.php to inventory items....

IIUC, currently it is not possible to directly navigate from a stock item to maintaining a BOM for the stock item (assuming the stock item is “Manufactured”) or to maintaining a BOM containing the stock item. It is also not possible to navigate directly from a stock item listed on a BOM being maintained to the stock item itself (discussed previously).

Direct navigation would improve product tree navigation for power users whose security role allows maintaining BOMs.

@timschofield @pakricard @andrewgaluski @andrewcouling @efeoli Do you agree with the following proposal? Would it break your current use? Have I missed someting? Is there a better way?

1. Modify BOMs.php to

• add new functionality to search for parent BOMs listing a given part number
• provide links from Codes in a BOM listing to the inventory item using SelectProduct.php (already discussed and tim concurred)

2. Add menu item [Item Maintenance > Maintain BOM] in SelectProduct.php menu when an item is selected.

• links to BOMs.php to search for BOMs with a similar name as the selected item (existing functionality).

3. Add menu item [Item Maintenance > Maintain Parent BOM] in SelectProduct.php

• links to BOMs.php to search for BOMs that list the selected item

Much of this workflow will be obvious to experienced users but will be described for completeness.

Product structure for purpose of discussion

Navigate from Item (standard operation, no surprises but included for completeness)

The user is presumed to have a security role that allows managing BOMs.

1. Search for item (menu item [Inventory > Maintenance > Select an Item])

2. Select an item

3. View selected inventory item.

Spacer lines are used in the mockup between menu items to create groupings but may not be possible in practise.

To Item BOM (if the stock item is “Manufactured”)

If the Item is “Manufactured” it may have a BOM.

Select (new) menu item [Item Maintenance > Maintain BOM] and select desired BOM.

To Parent BOM (if the stock item is used on a BOM)

Any item may be included in a bill of materials for a “Manufactured” item.

Select (new) menu item [Item Maintenance > Maintain parent BOM] and select desired BOM.

Requires new functionality in BOMs.php to search for parent BOMs.

To BOM Sibling or Family Descendent Item

Viewing a BOM, navigate to a desired item by clicking its Code.

Click the code to navigate to the inventory item using SelectProduct.php (selecting the item directly the same was as BOMIndented.php)

(discussed previously and Tim concurred)

-> inventory item.

(new) Standalone Behavior of BOMs.php

[dalers]

Even I'm not sure if I understand that.... ;-)

All that's really important is adding a direction parameter to BOMs.php search:

(I am struggling for the best wording for the option checkbox)

What's left are a couple menu items added to SelectProduct.php that directly link to managing the BOM of the selected Product Code, or to a parent BOM.

[andrewgaluski]

I do not have any issues with the proposed changes