Resource group

A resource group is a set of resources such operators, machines or tools that can perform the same type of work or have the same capabilities. When defining a routing operation or operation on a work order you can add individual resources or resource groups to perform the operation.

You can create resources and link them to a resource group in 2 different ways:

1. On the respective resource page: Labour resource, Machine resource, Tool resource.
2. On this page: you can create a resource group record, define the resource group type, and then create new individual resources or transfer existing individual resources into the resource group.

New and edited resources are updated on this page and on the associated resource page.

To create a resource group, you need to define the main characteristics of the resource group and whether it's a labour, machine or tool type group.

You add individual resources to the resource group by adding existing resources or creating resources from scratch.

You can also define alternate resource groups. These can be useful when there is a problem with a resource group. You can deactivate the resource group and select an alternate resource group for the routing or work order operations.

You can define the individual cost of the resource group.

Create a resource group

1. On the General tab, enter the main information for the resource group such as its name, ID, description and site.
2. In the Settings block, select a resource type: Labour, Machine or Tool. You cannot modify the resource type after you save the record.
3. Select a Capability level.
4. Select a Weekly shift for the operators, machines or tools. This populates the Weekly capacity field and the Weekly shift details grid, and turns the 24/7 status to No or Yes. For a labour resource it can only be set to No because a person cannot work 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
5. You can select the Location where the operators work or machines and tools are located.
6. Enter an Efficiency percentage.
7. Save.

Add resources

After you save the resource group, you can link individual resources to the resource group, either by adding an existing resource into the Resources grid or by creating a new resource.

Add an existing resource

To add an existing resource to the resource group:

1. From the Resources grid, select Include.
2. In the Resource group transfer panel, the resource group type and resource group name display by default. Just select the resource you want.

3. Save.

   The resource is added to the Resources grid and is now part of the resource group.

Create a new resource

To add and create a new resource:

1. From the Resources grid, select Add resource.

2. Enter the details of the resource in the panel that opens.

   See the following documentation for more information:

   • Labour resource
   • Machine resource
   • Tool resource

3. Save.

   The resource is added to the Resources grid and is now part of the resource group. The new resource record is now available on the corresponding page where you can edit the details.

Transfer a resource to another resource group

To transfer a resource to another resource group:

1. On the line of the resource that you want to transfer, select the More actions icon and then Exclude.
2. In the Resource group transfer panel, select the resource group you want the resource to be transferred to.
3. Save.

Remove a resource from a resource group

To remove a resource from a resource group, select the More actions icon on the line of the resource that you want to remove and then Delete.

Define alternate resource groups

If an issue with a resource group selected for a routing or work order operation occurs, you can replace the resource group with a different resource group. The list of alternate resource groups is for information only. There is no automatic process that adds a different resource group for a routing or work order.

To define alternate resource groups:

1. From the Alternate resource groups grid, select Add.
2. In the grid, select a resource group in the ID field and indicate its priority. For example, 1 indicates that this resource group is to be used first when there is an issue with the resource group originally selected for the routing or work order.

Add the resource group costs

On the Cost tab, you define the costs of the resource group. You enter direct costs such as setup and run costs, and indirect costs. These costs are used for routing and work order cost calculations.

Indirect costs are any costs involved in using the resource that are not directly related to actions performed with the resource. Indirect costs can be, for example, regular maintenance and servicing, parts that need replacing with time, or for labour resources, annual leave or safety equipment.

Settings for the indirect costs are managed on the Indirect cost origin and Indirect cost section pages.

1. Select Add cost category from the grid.

2. Enter the cost category, cost unit, setup and run costs. You can also select an indirect cost.

   A cost category is a classification or grouping of related costs for the purposes of reporting, or the determination of the hourly cost of production.

   Each cost category has an associated set of costs. Different cost categories are needed for different production purposes. For example, the costs can differ for various types of machines, manufacturing workshop, or labour skills such as senior technician, technician or apprentice.

   Refer to Cost category for more information.

Edit a resource group record

You can edit a resource group even if it is used with a routing or work order. However, existing routings and work orders will not be updated and will continue to contain the resource group details at the time they were created.

Delete or deactivate a resource group

You can make a resource group inactive, effectively removing the resource group from the selection lists. To make it inactive, turn the Active switch off.

From the main list, you can select and delete multiple resource groups at once.

If a resource group is used for a routing or work order, you need to delete those first.