Library Functionality in ERP
By library what I mean is:
- A placeholder where resources are recorded
- These resources are non-consumables
- They may or may not be required to track value and depreciation
- The resources need to be tracked for:
- Issue out
- Period of issue out
- To whom it is issued out
- To track back issue in
- Track usage of the items and its usage history
Now that I have highlighted the features of library function, let us look at the two scenarios I could think of where these library items can be used:
- Production of another item where library item is used as a reference - This could be used for Digital Assets (library references)
- Tools and portable machines - which are used for production of items. These tools in a relative scenario could represent low value tools which need to be tracked but cannot be re-presented as work-centers
In Dynamics AX (or even Dynamics Nav) when we think of library items, the requirements are either mapped to:
- Item master and inventory
- Fixed assets
- Or combination of both
The mapping creates redundancies and customizations viz.:
- If item master and inventory is used then:
- Inventory count and its adjustments for each issue-in/out etc require additional customizations
- Customizations on item master to track history of item transactions
- Customizations to separately identify library items and also to transact them
- If fixed assets are used:
- Overhead required to configure and maintain fixed assets module which can be an additional burden
- Create journals to transact asset items as library items
- If the library items are needed in production (part of Bill of materials), then additional customizations required to achieve it
- If combination of inventory and assets is used:
- Customizations to link asset and inventory/item master is required
- Subsequent customizations to ensure the link integrity is maintained
Thus, I feel there is a need to have an explicit library functionality which would be intuitive to map.
Industries like Media processing (audio, video and print), rentals and media libraries where "lending" of items have operational and financial implications can utilize the library functionality.
