ERP Tutorial ERPSupply ChainTutorialDP Sound SystemsStep by Step

2026-07-05 📖 8 min read 👁 12 views

This post covers the Planning & MRP module in TechnoPKG ERP — tested live at technopkg.com/erp/planning. We run MRP, review the output across four tabs, and interpret the exceptions and item-level planning data.

The Planning & MRP Page

Navigate to ERP → Planning from the sidebar. The page has a planning horizon selector (8 Weeks / 6 Months) and two action buttons: ▶ Run MRP and ↑ Export.

Four view tabs:

1. Demand vs Supply
2. Order Gantt
3. Exceptions
4. Item Planning

Step 1 — Run MRP

Click ▶ Run MRP.

The result popup confirms the calculation ran. Click OK to dismiss and view the results.

Step 2 — Dashboard Metrics (8 Week View)

After running MRP with our new Sales Order (SO-2026-0705-0505) included:

Step 3 — 6 Month View Comparison

Switching the horizon to 6 Months shows a different picture:

Coverage by Category (6 months):

• Speakers — 🟢 good
• Amplifiers — 🔴 critical (very short bar)
• Mixers — 🟢 moderate
• Accessories — 🟢 very strong
• Sub-assy — 🟡 moderate risk

Step 4 — Exceptions Tab

Click the ⚠️ Exceptions tab. Filter buttons: All | Late | Shortage | Excess.

MRP Exceptions — live data:

Actions required:

• SP-15-WOOF-001 — expedite the overdue planned order immediately
• AMP-500W-PRO — raise a purchase order before W5 or reschedule demand
• CABLE-XLR-50FT — chase supplier on PO 4521 (3 days overdue)
• TWTR-1-DOME — review future PO quantities, consider cancelling excess
• RACK-4U-CASE — cancel PO 4498 to avoid deepening the overstock

Step 5 — Order Gantt Tab

Click Order Gantt. The Planned Order Timeline shows W1–W8 for each item:

Legend: PO = Purchase Order · MFG = Manufacturing Work Order · ✅ = Coverage period

Step 6 — Item Planning Tab

Click Item Planning. The item-level grid shows the full supply/demand picture:

Critical items requiring immediate action:

AMP-500W-PRO:

• Demand 210 > Supply 185 = −25 unit net shortage
• Only 11 days coverage
• Status: 🔴 Critical

SUB-18-ACTIVE:

• Demand 75 > Supply 60 = −15 unit net shortage
• Only 7 days coverage — the most urgent item
• Status: 🔴 Critical

Export to CSV

Click Export to download mrp_plan.csv. The export confirmed:

The CSV provides the same data as the Item Planning tab for offline analysis or reporting.

How MRP Uses the Sales Order We Created

The new SO (SO-2026-0705-0505, Mary Sound Systems, 5× SmartBar Pro 500) was included in this MRP run. The planning engine:

1. Read the SO as demand for 5 SmartBar Pro 500 by 2026-08-15
2. Exploded through the BOM — calculated component requirements
3. Netted against current inventory
4. Generated planned orders for any gaps
5. Added exceptions where gaps could not be covered in time

This is the direct connection between a sales order and the supply plan.

What Happens After MRP Runs

MRP output is not the end — it is the beginning of the buying and manufacturing action. Here is exactly what happened after our live MRP run and what each output means.

The MRP Output: 23 Planned Orders

The MRP run generated 23 planned orders — recommendations for what to buy or make. These are not real orders yet. They are MRP's calculation of what is needed. A buyer or planner must review and convert them.

Planned orders fall into two types:

The 7 Exceptions: Immediate Action Required

The 7 exceptions flagged are items where MRP cannot resolve the gap automatically. Each one needs human intervention:

What the Buyer Does Next

After reviewing the MRP output, the buyer works through the planned orders list:

1. Open Planning & MRP → MRP Planned Orders tab
2. Review each planned purchase order — check quantity, supplier, timing
3. Adjust if needed (different quantity, alternative supplier)
4. Convert to PO — a real Purchase Order is created in the PO module
5. The PO is sent to the supplier (status → Sent → Confirmed)
6. Goods arrive → PO Receipt created → inventory updated
7. MRP next run no longer sees the gap — it has been covered

What the Planner Does Next

For planned Work Orders:

1. Open Planning & MRP → MRP Planned Orders tab
2. Review each planned work order — item, quantity, due date
3. Check capacity — does the work centre have room in that week?
4. Release the WO — status changes from Draft to Released
5. Production floor picks up the Released WOs
6. Operations completed one by one
7. WO completed → finished goods added to inventory

The Connection to Our New Sales Order

The new SO we created (SO-2026-0705-0505, Mary Sound Systems, 5× SmartBar Pro 500, need by 2026-08-15) was included in this MRP run. The planning engine:

1. Read the 5-unit demand for SmartBar Pro 500 by Aug 15
2. Exploded through BOM-001 — calculated 5 each of Speaker Cabinet, Amplifier Board, PSU, Audio Cable needed
3. Netted against current inventory for each component
4. Generated planned orders for any gaps not covered by stock
5. Flagged exceptions where gaps could not be covered within lead time

This is the direct, traceable chain from a customer order to a component purchase recommendation — all calculated in seconds by MRP.

The MRP Loop

MRP should be run every day, or whenever a significant change occurs:

Each run completely replaces the previous planned orders with a fresh calculation based on current data.

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*Post 4 of 6 — TechnoPKG ERP Tutorial Series. Tested live on technopkg.com, 2026-07-05.*

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