When you use the Assembly Items feature, the components needed for assemblies are identified in the Bill of Materials (BOM). Components required for an assembly can change due to engineering changes, vendor supply, availability, or seasonal requirements.
BOM member control helps you ensure that the right components are included in assembly builds at the right time. You can use BOM controls to plan for the utilization and purchase of components that are effective or obsolete within specific time frames.
To use BOM component member control, define effective and obsolete dates for member items on assembly records. NetSuite determines whether a component is valid for an assembly based on these date.
- Effective Date/Revision – Defines the first date an item can be used for an assembly. Before the effective date, the item is not included in the BOM.
- Obsolete Date/Revision – Defines the last date an item can be used for an assembly. After the obsolete date, the item is not included in the BOM.
After a work order is created, NetSuite determines which components are required based on the transaction date. If you use the Demand Planning feature, NetSuite considers the production start date and determines which components are required on that date.
On assembly item records, choose a BOM control method and set up effective and obsolete dates. NetSuite uses them to determine which member items are needed to create an assembly based on the date the item is produced.
For example, Wolfe Manufacturing assembles bicycles for distribution throughout the year. The mountain bike component item includes the following:
- Disk brake 1: has an effective date of 4/1/2025
- Disk brake 2: has obsolete date of 3/31/2025
Wolfe creates a work order dated 3/31/2025 that includes a Mountain Bike assembly. NetSuite examines the effective and obsolete dates for the components on the assembly record and determines the following:
- The BOM will not include Brake 1 because it is not effective.
- The BOM will include Brake 2 because it is not obsolete.
Wolfe enters a work order dated 4/1/2025 that includes a Mountain Bike assembly, and NetSuite determines the following:
- The BOM will include Brake 1 because it is currently effective.
- The BOM will not include Brake 2 because it is obsolete
The appropriate assembly BOM items are shown on work orders at the appropriate dates without having to manually change each work order.
For BOM management to track which components are needed at specific times, identify effective and obsolete dates for member items. To do this, select a BOM control method on assembly item records. Select to set dates individually for components or to create revision records to assign to items. When a new work order is created, NetSuite can determine the member items required based on the work order production date.
You can choose to set an assembly to use revision control.
If you choose to manage assembly BOMs with revision records, set up revision records.