Automatic calculation of the supply date

In a woodworking shop, ordering too early means cluttering your warehouse… and ordering too late can slow down production. That’s exactly why Cienapps ERP automatically calculates the ideal purchasing trigger date, aligned with your production workflow.

In this article, we break down how Cienapps combines your lead times and safety margins to determine the right moment to place a purchase order—neither too early nor too late.

Starting Point: Work-Order-Based Purchasing

In Cienapps, work-order purchasing is managed in the Just-in-Time window, under the “To Process by Work Order” tab.

This is where the system analyzes every material requirement linked to a work order and calculates when it needs to be ordered to arrive in time for production or installation.

The Variables Behind the Purchasing Trigger Date

Cienapps uses several key lead times configured in your environment to determine the right moment to order.

1. Supplier Lead Time (Shipping Lead Time)

📍 Defined in the supplier product file

This represents how many business days the supplier needs to ship the item. It’s the foundation of the calculation—Cienapps must ensure the transport window fits your production timeline.

2. Production Lead Time (Manufacturing Safety Lead Time)

📍 Configured in the planning table

This is the number of business days before the work order due date when the item needs to be on hand to start production. It ensures your team can begin fabrication without waiting for material.

3. Installation Safety Lead Time

📍 Optional, configured in the planning table

If your purchasing is based on installation dates rather than production dates, this buffer adds extra time before installation to prevent last-minute issues.

4. Purchase Safety Lead Time

📍 Configured in the manufacturer settings

This is a general buffer applied to all items. It’s designed to protect you against:

• shipping delays,

• order errors,

• unexpected production constraints.

5. Work Order Due Date

This is the anchor for all calculations. All lead times are subtracted from this date to determine when the purchase needs to be triggered. If the due date changes, Cienapps automatically recalculates the purchasing date.

6. The Forecast Date Selected in Just-in-Time

Inside the Just-in-Time window, you can choose which date Cienapps should use as the basis for the calculation—for example, using the installation date instead of the production due date.

Why This Calculation Matters to Your Purchasing Workflow

This calculation helps you:

• Order exactly on time,

• Avoid overstocking, waste, or damaged materials,

• Reduce unnecessary cash flow tied up in inventory,

• Maintain uninterrupted production,

• Place consistent, well-timed supplier orders.

Best Practices for Configuring Your Lead Times

1. Start with longer lead times.

When you’re new to Just-in-Time purchasing, giving yourself more buffer reduces risk.

2. Fine-tune over time.

As your team becomes more confident with the workflow, gradually shorten the lead times.

3. Review supplier lead times regularly.

Shipping conditions can change—your system should reflect that.

4. Check your configuration before rolling out Just-in-Time.

Accurate calculations depend on clean, consistent settings.