Manufacturing Fundamentals Routing (2026)
Business Central manufacturing routings: serial vs parallel operations, operational times (setup, run, wait, move), routing link codes, send ahead quantity, standard tasks and routing versions. A demo with the Airpod coffee maker shows how choosing a parallel or serial routing on a production order changes the start dates and lead times.
- Introduction to routings and the Airpod demo
- Routing types - serial vs parallel operations
- Serial routing structure and operational times
- Parallel routing, routing link codes, and advanced features
- Routing versions and integration with production
- Production order creation and modification
- How parallel vs serial routings affect lead times
- Closing remarks and preview of capacities
Overview
The video introduces routings as the counterpart to the BOM: the BOM defines what is needed, the routing defines the sequence of operations required to build the product. It compares serial routings, where steps run one after another, with parallel routings, where independent operations run at the same time.
It then covers the time components of an operation, the routing link code, send ahead quantity, standard tasks and routing versions. In the demo, a production order is created and picks up the BOM and routing automatically. The order is then modified to use parallel routing for some quantities and serial for others, and the effect on lead time and start date is compared. The video closes with a preview of capacities.
Key points
- Routing describes the sequence of operations to build a product, as the BOM describes the components.
- Serial routing runs operations one after another. Parallel routing runs independent operations at the same time and reduces total lead time.
- Operational times are setup time, run time, wait time and move time. They drive scheduling and cost calculations.
- Routing link code connects a component to a specific operation, so the material is consumed when that operation runs (just-in-time material control).
- Send ahead quantity lets the next operation start before the current one finishes, overlapping steps to shorten lead time.
- Routing versions let you create a new version when the process changes without losing the original.
- A new production order populates the BOM and routing and computes production times, including start and end dates. In the demo it was modified to use different routings for different quantities.
Features
| Feature | Status | At |
|---|---|---|
| Serial routing | status not stated, demoed | 0:32 |
| Parallel routing | status not stated, demoed | 0:32 |
| Operational times | status not stated, demoed | 1:01 |
| Routing link code | status not stated | 1:44 |
| Send ahead quantity | status not stated | 1:44 |
| Standard tasks in routing operations | status not stated | 2:09 |
| Routing versions | status not stated | 2:09 |
| Production order automatic routing population | status not stated, demoed | 2:35 |
| Production order modification | status not stated, demoed | 2:56 |
| Lead time calculation and optimization | status not stated, demoed | 3:35 |
Quotes
- 0:11 “Just like the BOM defines what you need, the routing describes the sequence of operations required to build the product.”
- 0:32 “Routings support both serial operations, where steps run one after another, and parallel operations, when two independent activities can run at the same time.”
- 1:01 “Operational times include setup time, run time, wait time, and move time between operations.”
- 1:44 “Routing link code connects a component to a specific operation, so the material is consumed when that operation runs, giving you just-in-time material control.”
- 2:09 “Business Central supports routing versions, allowing you to create a new version when your process changes without losing the original.”
- 3:22 “The parallel routing had two operations running at the same time. This made production faster for the parallel routing and allowed production to start”
- 3:48 “Production times are defined by routing times and our capacities. Having more resources in our capacities, such as machines or workforce, will reduce lead”
- 3:59 “A well-defined routing ensures that your scheduling reflects real production capabilities, helps identify bottlenecks early, and provides the foundation for accurate lead time and”