[Roadmap] Extend MES Functionality

[SchrodingersGat]

There are some disparate PRs in the works which tend towards more fully-featured MES functionality. Collecting them here for further discussion. I'd like to have a well-considered plan towards MES functionality:

References

• Machine integration #4824
• [FR] External Processing for Build Routing #2860
• [FR]Build routing/Workflows #2817
• Build Order Updates #4855
• [Feature] Build Order Non Conformance  #4860
• [Roadmap] Kanban Pages #4818

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[matmair]

@SchrodingersGat With the roadmap label I can assume you support us moving into a MES direction?

[SchrodingersGat]

Yes, I'm scope creeping! My company and a number of others I know of already use inventree for MES practices. Mostly through build orders and plugins.

Some ideas of what we could add in:

• communication with shop floor machines
• build process instructions/ steps which integrates with commission tests
• improved tracking of complex build processes

Any other ideas?

Keep in mind that these additions should be "optional" for users - the current simplifie workflow should not be forced to change significantly.

[matmair]

I already have (bad) plugins for instructions and communications; Both are very much possible - a good UI for them is the real issue.

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[wolflu05]

Still in work

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[SchrodingersGat]

No, not stale

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This issue seems stale. Please react to show this is still important.

[SchrodingersGat]

Not stale

[SergeoLacruz]

Some thoughts from my side. We use Build Orders to control HWbuilds, mainly PCB assembly. I wrote something that allows to add additional data to the BO

https://github.com/SergeoLacruz/build_plugin

Using this and the report system we can create documents like request for quotation more or less automatically based on data in the system. Just an idea.
An additional thing I am thinking about: the change part request. I happens quite often that a BOM code needs to be changes in the very last minute based on engineering request or material shortage. Or the designer wants to build 20 boards but 5 with one component changed, just to try something. the function in Inventree is substitutes. But substitutes influence the BOM not the build. The BOM shall not be changed. This is advanced. :-) Actually we just write a change document and add it to the attachments. OK for now.
Finally, uploading a BOM does not allow to update. Just add or delete all. In latter case all allocations are gone. Some day soon we will write plugin for BOM import to fix this.
Michael

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[matmair]

This is beeing worked on in plugins. Not sure if this is still a goal for core @SchrodingersGat?

[SchrodingersGat]

Still need to work out the framework for this