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3.1.2. Run Buffer Status by Item

When you run buffer status by item, you are running the constraint management system. This utility, when it is run, scans through your data and then updates the buffer status for the specified item using the most current information. Because buffer status information is time-sensitive, you must run the system frequently (i.e., daily) to keep your statuses up-to-date. In fact, the various buffer status displays will not even show status information if constraint management has not been run on the day when you're trying to view buffer status information. This built-in requirement prevents you from using information that is not current.

Note

The critical buffer status in the constraint management system is 66%. In other words, any time you consume 66% of a buffer, then it's time to act immediately to resolve the situation. The 66% value is a percentage that is widely used in academic research and practical real-world implementations of the Theory of Constraints—a theory pioneered by Eliyahu Goldratt.

After the buffer status utility has been run, you may view the constraint management displays which pertain to the item—and then decide whether to take immediate action based on the newly-updated status value.

To run buffer status by item, go to Schedule > Constrain Management > Update Status > by Item. The following screen will appear:

Run Buffer Status by Item

When running buffer status by item, you are presented with the following options:

Item Number

Enter the item number of the item whose buffer status you want to update.

UOM

Inventory unit of measure.

Site

Specify site where buffer status update should occur.

The following buttons are unique to this screen:

CREATE

Runs the buffer status update by item, using the specified parameters.