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Regularly review for duplicates or outdated items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