Skip to main content
All CollectionsParts
What Are Parts in Next Plus?
What Are Parts in Next Plus?
Alex Merkin avatar
Written by Alex Merkin
Updated over a week ago

Parts are the foundation of everything you build and track in Next Plus. Whether you're producing finished goods, managing inventory, or organizing components for assemblies—Parts are the digital building blocks that bring it all together.

This article will give you a quick overview of what parts are, how they work, and why they’re so important in your day-to-day use of Next Plus.


🏗️ What Is a "Part"?

In Next Plus, a Part can be:

  • A raw material (like flour, aluminum, or packaging)

  • A semi-finished product (like dough, a printed label, or a machined component)

  • A final product (like a packaged snack or an assembled machine)

  • Even virtual items like "phantom parts" used for organizing bills of materials

You define parts in the system so they can be tracked, produced, assembled, inventoried, and reported on—across all your workflows.


🧾 Key Info Stored in Each Part

When you create a new part in Next Plus, you're setting up how it behaves in the system. Some of the info you can define includes:

  • Part Name & Number – So it’s easy to identify and track

  • Units of Measurement – For accurate inventory and production (e.g. grams, liters, units)

  • Serial & Revision Tracking – For traceability and version control

  • Bulk Production & Phantom Flags – Control how the system handles production logic

  • Expiration Dates – Especially useful for food, beverage, and pharma items

  • Time Tracking – To analyze efficiency during production

  • Free Stock / Combined Items – For flexible inventory management

Each part can also include documents (like spec sheets), alternative items (swappable parts), and convertible part numbers (to handle product changes on the fly).


🔄 Where You'll Use Parts in Next Plus

Once a part is created, it can be used in several key areas:

  • Production Orders – To build or assemble products

  • Bills of Materials (BOMs) – As components of a larger item

  • Inventory Tracking – For real-time stock visibility

  • Quality Control & Maintenance – To ensure standards and uptime

  • Traceability Reports – To audit and track usage over time


🧠 Pro Tip: Keep Your Parts Clean & Organized

Good part management = smoother production and less confusion. A few best practices:

  • Use clear and consistent naming conventions

  • Don’t forget to upload images or drawings to help teams identify parts

  • Regularly review for duplicates or outdated items

  • Take advantage of revision tracking for products that evolve

Did this answer your question?