A phantom assembly is typically a non-stocked assembly that groups the components needed to produce a subassembly. For example, compare a phantom assembly to folders on a computer. The folder represents the phantom and the individual files are the components. They are called phantoms because they are not counted as inventory items, but are created to fulfill the requirements of a higher-level assembly.
Phantom assemblies provide the following advantages:
- No need to create multiple work orders. The phantom assembly is added to the higher-level work order.
- They work as build-to-order instructions. Components do not have to be issued from stock beforehand.
- They simplify Bill of Materials (BOM) management. If a component is changed on the Phantom BOM, it is automatically reflected in all BOMs that use the phantom as a sub-assembly.
- You can use them as configuration options for manufactured products when it would not be cost effective to keep the assembly in stock.
To create a phantom assembly:
- Go to Lists > Accounting > Items > New
- Select Assembly/Bill of Materials from the Item Type column.
- Complete the fields. Required fields display a red asterisk (*). For more information, see Creating Item Records.
- On the Purchasing/Inventory tab Inventory Management section, check the Phantom box.
- On the Components subtab, add the required components for the assembly and then update the Item Source field as required. For more information, see Item Source Field.
- If the phantom assembly contains sub-assemblies, check the Mark Sub-Assemblies Phantom box to mark them as phantoms.
- Click Save.