Arrange Materials with Sequence Numbers in NetSuite CPQ

TL;DR

You can now arrange stand-alone materials on work orders using the new Sequence Number field in NetSuite CPQ Configurator (version 1.9.1). This allows for better organization of materials in both work orders and the Audit menu.

How Does the Sequence Number Feature Work?

With the introduction of the Sequence Number field, you can specify the preferred order of stand-alone materials added to work orders. This field is crucial for optimizing the layout and tracking of materials, particularly in complex configurations where routing steps might otherwise dictate the order.

• Default Behavior: If you leave the Sequence Number field empty, the default value of 0 will be applied.
• Sorting: Materials assigned to routing steps will be sorted according to their operation sequence, while those without a specified sequence number will follow the ascending order of their assigned sequence numbers under the Audit menu’s Materials option.

Practical Application of Sequence Numbers

Example Use Case

Consider a configurable item like a desk, which might consist of various stand-alone materials such as the desktop surface and side panels. By using the Sequence Number field, you can control the arrangement of these materials on the work order, ensuring all components are properly listed and organized.

Additional Configurations

You can define materials in several ways:

• Existing Items: Use items already present in your NetSuite environment.
• Resolve Expressions: Retrieve different items based on user selections without creating multiple records.
• Item Creation Records: Automatically generate materials upon user configuration submission.

Important Notes

• Installing NetSuite CPQ Manufacturing is necessary for utilizing materials derived from configured items in work orders.
• Users can view active materials in the Audit menu, providing easy access to material details during product setups.

Who This Affects

• Administrators: Responsible for configuring materials and item creation rules.
• Developers: Implementing and customizing material arrangements within the configurator.
• Inventory Managers: Ensuring materials are organized for efficient work order processing.

Key Takeaways

• The Sequence Number field allows tailored ordering of materials on work orders.
• Essential for enhancing organization in production workflows.
• Built specifically for users of NetSuite CPQ Configurator version 1.9.1.

Source: This article is based on Oracle's official NetSuite documentation.