Item coverage (form)

Article
05/05/2014

Applies To: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012

Click Product information management > Common > Released products. Select an item. On the Action pane, click Plan > Item coverage.

Use this form to define detailed coverage settings for the current item. You also define the coverage dimensions that are used for planning. During master scheduling, the coverage settings are used to calculate requirements for the item and its coverage-planned dimensions.

When you create item coverage records for dimensions, you must follow the hierarchy of dimensions. The following hierarchy is defined for dimensions:

Site
Configuration
Size
Color
Warehouse
Location

For example, if an item is coverage-planned for site, configuration, and size, you must first define the coverage settings for the site before you can define the coverage settings for the configuration.

You can also use the Item Coverage Wizard to create item coverage settings or delete existing item coverage settings.

Tip

You must select the Coverage plan by dimension check box in the Storage dimension groups form and the Tracking dimension groups form to configure one of these dimensions for coverage planning.

Tasks that use this form

Use a wizard to create item coverage settings

Create a minimum inventory quantity proposal

Navigating the form

The following tables provide descriptions for the controls in this form.

Tabs

Tab	Description
Overview	View the basic coverage parameters that exist for the item.
General	Enter detailed coverage parameters for the item.
Lead time	Enter information about the lead time for the item.
Min./Max.	View information about the minimum and maximum keys that have been set up for the item.
Dimension	View the current inventory dimensions for the item. This information can be useful if the Item coverage form contains coverage records that are not valid.

Buttons

Button	Description
Wizard	Open the Item Coverage Wizard, where you can create coverage settings or delete coverage settings that are not valid for the current item and for the inventory dimensions that are selected for coverage planning.
Default settings	Open a new Item coverage form, where you can view a list of the default item coverage records that exist for the current combination of inventory dimensions. The records in the list are sorted, with the dimension combinations becoming less specific as you move down the list. Each time that you click the Default settings button, the record that contains the next least specific dimension combination is selected. Example You create an item coverage record for three dimensions: site, color, and warehouse. To view the default settings for the dimension combination, click Default settings to open a new Item coverage form. If a record exists that contains site and color, the record is selected. If no record exists for site and color, the record for site is selected. If no record exists for site, no record is selected.

Wizard

Open the Item Coverage Wizard, where you can create coverage settings or delete coverage settings that are not valid for the current item and for the inventory dimensions that are selected for coverage planning.

Default settings

Open a new Item coverage form, where you can view a list of the default item coverage records that exist for the current combination of inventory dimensions.

The records in the list are sorted, with the dimension combinations becoming less specific as you move down the list. Each time that you click the Default settings button, the record that contains the next least specific dimension combination is selected.

Example

You create an item coverage record for three dimensions: site, color, and warehouse. To view the default settings for the dimension combination, click Default settings to open a new Item coverage form. If a record exists that contains site and color, the record is selected. If no record exists for site and color, the record for site is selected. If no record exists for site, no record is selected.

Fields

Field	Description
Coverage group	The identifier of the coverage group. You can select a different coverage group for the item, such as when the default coverage group in the master planning parameters is not appropriate.
Change planned order type	If this check box is selected, you can determine the planned order type that is generated to cover a requirement during master scheduling. You can select the planned order type, but there are some restrictions that are based on the item type. You use this field together with the Planned order type field.
Planned order type	The planned order type that master scheduling creates by using the current coverage settings for the inventory dimension. When you select the Change planned order type check box, you can change the value in Planned order type field. The following types of planned orders are available: Production – The planned order is created, regardless of the item type. Purchase order – The planned order is created, regardless of the item type. Kanban – The planned order is created, regardless of the item type. Transfer – The planned order is created, regardless of the item type. However, you must specify a warehouse as a coverage dimension. When you select this option and the Override coverage group settings check box, the Main warehouse field becomes available. You can then select a refilling warehouse.
Use specific settings	Select this check box to make the Coverage group and Vendor account fields available, so that you can modify them. If you do not select this check box, the Coverage group and Vendor account fields cannot be modified, and they contain the existing default values. Master scheduling uses these default values to calculate requirements. For more information about the default settings, see the description of the Default settings button.
Override coverage group settings	Select this check box to make the settings for the selected coverage group available, so that you can modify them. If you do not select this check box, the settings for the coverage group cannot be modified, and they contain the existing default values. Master scheduling uses these default values to calculate requirements. For more information about the default settings, see the description of the Default settings button.
Coverage code	Select the method that master scheduling uses to calculate requirements for the item. The following options are available: Period – When demand brings the projected inventory for the period below the specified minimum quantity, a planned order is generated to fulfill all demands that occur in the period that is specified in the Coverage period field. The period starts on the date of the first requirement, and the planned order is generated on this date. Requirement – A planned order is generated to fulfill every requirement that brings inventory below the minimum quantity. Min./Max. – When demand brings the projected inventory below the specified minimum quantity, a planned order is generated to bring inventory up to the specified maximum quantity. Note When you use this method, items that are physically reserved are not included when requirements are calculated. Manual – Master scheduling does not calculate requirements or generate planned orders for the item. The item is assumed to be manually planned. This method is best used for items that are easy to buy, and for items that are managed by visual inspection.
Coverage period	Enter a time period, as a number of days, during which master scheduling consolidates all requirements for the item and generates one planned order to cover the sum of these demands. If you enter 5, for example, planned orders are consolidated for five-day periods. The coverage period starts on the date of the first requirement, and the planned order is generated on this date. The requirement date, such as the delivery date, determines which period the planned order is put in. This field is available when you select Period in the Coverage code list. Example The coverage period is 5 and the minimum quantity is 0. There are sales orders that have requirement dates of September 1, September 3, September 10, September 14, and September 20. Master scheduling generates three planned orders: One planned order is dated September 1. This planned order covers September 1 to September 3. One planned order is dated September 10. This planned order covers September 10 to September 14. One planned order is dated September 20. This planned order covers September 20.
Coverage time fence	Enter the time period, as a number of days from today's date, during which requirements are calculated. Note The coverage time fence should be equal to or greater than the lead time for the item. If the lead time is greater than the coverage time fence, master scheduling can generate planned orders outside the coverage time fence.
Negative days	Enter a number of days that are added to a requirement due date to define a time interval during which a planned receipt that is due can be used to fulfill the requirement. A planned receipt that is due outside the defined time interval cannot be used to fulfill the requirement, and master scheduling generates a new planned order. You can equate negative days with the number of days that a delivery can be past due before you create a new fulfillment order. During this period, there is a negative inventory level for the item. You can specify negative days in the Item coverage form or the Coverage groups form. Note The full behavior of negative days depends on whether you select the Use dynamic negative days check box in the Master planning parameters form. Example For an item, a purchase order is scheduled for receipt on the 20th of the month, and a sales order is scheduled for delivery on the 19th of the same month. Master scheduling either generates a new planned purchase order to cover the requirement, or it creates a late sales order delivery on the 20th. If you set the negative days to zero, a new planned purchase order is generated. If you set the negative days to a number greater than zero, no planned purchase order is generated. Instead, an action message is generated for the purchase order, and a futures message is generated for the sales order. For more information, see About action messages and About futures messages.
Positive days	Enter the interval, as a number of days that are subtracted from a requirement due date to define a time interval during which a planned receipt that is due can be used to fulfill the requirement. A planned receipt that is due outside the defined time interval is not valid to fulfill the requirement, and master scheduling generates a new planned order. You can equate positive days with the number of days that you use existing inventory before you create a new fulfillment order. During this period, there is a positive inventory level for the item. You can specify positive days in the Item coverage form or the Coverage groups form. Example For a particular item, inventory exists, and a sales order is scheduled for delivery in 90 days. Master scheduling either generates a new planned purchase order to cover the requirement, or it fulfills the order from the current inventory. If you set the positive days to a number that is less than 90, a new planned purchase order is generated. If you set the positive days to a number that is greater than 90, no planned purchase order is generated. However, current inventory levels of the item are no longer available for new sales orders. Note If you use automatic reservation when you create sales orders, or if you use manual reservation later, values in the Positive days field are not considered in master scheduling.
Override time fences	Select this check box to make specific time fences available, so that you can modify them.
Firming time fence	The period during which planned purchase orders and production orders are automatically firmed. The time fence is expressed in days, and it is calculated from the date of the requirement calculation. Warning If you did not associate a vendor with the item, the planned purchase order is not created as a purchase order. It appears as a planned purchase order.
Freeze time fence	Specify the period during which planned orders cannot be created, and planned orders from previous requirement calculations cannot be changed. Requirements that are outside this period are included on a purchase order or a production order that is created at the end of the period, with an action message that it is to be moved back in time. During the specified period, if a previous requirement calculation created a planned purchase order, the planned purchase order remains in the period and is not moved. The time fence is expressed in days, and it is calculated from the date that the requirement is calculated. Example The locking time fence is 10 days. A sales order must be delivered in 7 days, and there is no inventory that can cover the requirement. The requirement calculation suggests that the planned purchase order is delivered in 10 days.
Explosion time fence	The period during which planned production orders for items that are on bills of material (BOMs) are exploded into requirements for components. The time fence is expressed in days and is calculated from the current date.
Capacity time fence	The period during which the planned production order is capacity scheduled. The master schedule uses the item's active production route to plan the route, based on the requirement date.
Approved requisitions	Enter the number of days in the past during which demand, from approved requisitions that have the Replenishment purpose, is included in master scheduling. Note This control is available only if Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 or AX 2012 R3 is installed.
Minimum	Enter the minimum inventory quantity, or the safety stock level, to maintain for the item. The value is expressed in inventory units. If the projected available inventory falls below this quantity, master scheduling generates a planned order to fulfill all other open requirements first, and then brings the inventory up to the specified minimum quantity. If you leave the field blank, the default value is zero. This field is available when you select Period, Requirement, or Min./Max. in the Coverage code list. Note You must define all other coverage-planned dimensions before you can define this field and the Maximum field. This rule prevents a record that is not valid from being used during master scheduling. This situation can occur if, for example, a dimension group is extended with an additional coverage-planned dimension for which the minimum and maximum inventory quantities are not yet defined.
Maximum	Enter the maximum inventory quantity to maintain for the item. The value is expressed in inventory units. If the projected available inventory falls below the minimum quantity, master scheduling generates a planned order to fulfill all other open requirements first, and then brings the inventory up to the specified maximum quantity. This field is available when you select Min./Max. in the Coverage code list. Example The minimum quantity is 10 and the maximum quantity is 15. Current on-hand inventory is 4. This gives a minimum quantity requirement of 6. However, because the maximum quantity is 15, master scheduling generates a planned order for 11. Note You must define all other coverage-planned dimensions before you can define this field and the Minimum field. This rule prevents a record that is not valid from being used during master scheduling. This situation can occur if, for example, a dimension group is extended with an additional coverage-planned dimension for which the minimum and maximum inventory quantities are not yet defined.
Minimum key	If the minimum on-hand inventory fluctuates seasonally, you can specify a minimum key to adjust the minimum inventory level accordingly. You can view the results on the Min./Max. tab. You set up the minimum key in the Minimum/maximum keys (form) form.
Maximum key	If the maximum on-hand inventory fluctuates seasonally, you can specify a maximum key to adjust the maximum inventory level accordingly. You can view the results on the Min./Max. tab. You set up the maximum key in the Minimum/maximum keys (form) form.
Fulfill minimum	Select the date or the time period during which the inventory level must meet the quantity that you specified in the Minimum field. This field is available when you select Min./Max. in the Coverage code list. Master scheduling calculates net requirements and generates planned orders accordingly. Master scheduling calculates net requirements in the following order: sales orders, production orders, transfer orders, and minimum quantity. The following options are available: Today's date – The specified minimum quantity is met on the date that master scheduling is run. Today's date + procurement time – The specified minimum quantity is met on the date that master scheduling is run, plus the delivery or production time. This time includes any safety margins. Note If the item carries a trade agreement, and the Find trade agreements check box is selected in the Master planning parameters form, the delivery lead time from the trade agreement is not considered. Lead times are taken from the item's coverage settings or from the item. First issue – The specified minimum quantity is met on the date of the first issue that is scheduled during the time period that is specified in the Coverage time fence field. Coverage time fence – The specified minimum quantity is met during the period that is specified in the Coverage time fence field.
Minimum periods	Select this check box to fulfill the minimum inventory level for all of the periods that are set up for the minimum key. If you clear this check box, the minimum inventory is fulfilled for the relevant period.
Purchase	Select this check box to override the default purchase lead time and the default working days for the coverage dimension for the item. For more information, see About planned purchase order lead times.
Purchase time	Specify the lead time for purchases in days. This field is available when you select the Purchase time check box.
Working days	Select this check box to include the lead times for planned purchase orders among workdays. Workdays are open days in the current calendar. For planned purchase orders, master scheduling uses a calendar that is based on the following priority sequence: The calendar that is attached to the vendor The calendar that is attached to the item's coverage group The calendar that is attached to the warehouse
Production	Select this check box to override the default production lead time and the default working days for the coverage dimension for the item. This option is used when an item is not associated with a route.
Production time	Specify the lead time for production in days. This field is available when you select the Production time check box.
Working days	Select this check box to count planned production order lead times in workdays. For planned production orders, master scheduling uses a calendar that is based on the following priority sequence: The calendar that is attached to the item's coverage group The calendar that is attached to the warehouse
Transfer	Select this check box to override the default transfer lead time for the warehouse that is associated with the item.
Transfer time	Specify the lead time for transfers in days. This field is available when you select the Transfer time check box.
Working days	Select this check box to count planned transfer order lead times in workdays. For planned transfer orders, master scheduling uses a calendar that is based on the following priority sequence: The calendar that is attached to the item's coverage group The calendar that is attached to the warehouse
From date	The date that the minimum inventory is calculated.
Month	The month that the minimum inventory is being calculated for.
Factor	Specify the factor by which the minimum inventory is multiplied in the current period. Example The specified minimum quantity is 10. During September, you apply a minimum key that has a factor of 0.50. The revised minimum inventory is calculated as 5. If the factor is 2.00, the minimum inventory is 20. If the factor is 0.00, the minimum inventory is 0.00.