Infor SyteLine4 min readNetray Engineering TeamUpdated March 4, 2025

How to Set Up Routings in Infor SyteLine

Routings in Infor SyteLine define the sequence of manufacturing operations required to produce an item, including work center assignments, setup and run times, and scheduling parameters. Accurate routings are essential for production scheduling, capacity planning, and standard cost calculations. This guide explains how to create, configure, and maintain routings in CloudSuite Industrial for discrete and process manufacturing environments.

Creating a New Routing in the Current Operations Form

Navigate to Production > Routings > Current Item Operations to access the routing definition form, which uses the ItemOperations IDO (SLItemOperations). Select or search for the item that needs a routing. Each routing consists of one or more operations numbered in sequence (typically in increments of 10: 10, 20, 30). For each operation, assign a Work Center, enter the Setup Hours and Run Hours (per piece or per lot based on the Run Basis flag), and set the Operation Description. The system stores operations in the oper table linked to the item by the item_num field.

Open Production > Routings > Current Item Operations and select the item to define or modify its routing
Add operations in sequence number increments of 10 (e.g., 10, 20, 30) to allow future insertion of intermediate steps
Assign a Work Center to each operation and set Run Basis to 'Per Piece' or 'Per Lot' depending on the operation type
Enter Setup Hours (fixed per job) and Run Hours (variable per unit or lot) for accurate scheduling and costing

Configuring Operation Details and Scheduling Rules

Each operation supports detailed scheduling parameters beyond basic setup and run times. Set the Move Hours field to define transit time between consecutive work centers (typically 2-8 hours). The Overlap Percentage allows the next operation to begin before the current one completes, enabling concurrent scheduling for pipeline-style production. Configure the Backflush Labor flag if you want SyteLine to automatically report labor when production is completed rather than requiring manual labor postings. The Efficiency and Utilization fields at the operation level can override work center defaults for items that perform differently on specific equipment.

Set Move Hours (2-8 hours typical) to account for material transfer time between work centers in the shop floor layout
Use Overlap Percentage (0-90%) to enable parallel processing where downstream operations can start before upstream completes
Enable Backflush Labor on high-volume repetitive operations to reduce manual labor reporting transactions
Override work center Efficiency and Utilization at the operation level for items with non-standard performance characteristics

Managing Alternate Routings and Routing Revisions

SyteLine supports alternate routings for items that can be produced on different equipment or through different processes. Access alternate routings through Production > Routings > Current Item Operations and change the Routing field from the default (blank or 1) to an alternate number. Planners select alternate routings on job orders when the primary routing's work centers are unavailable or overloaded. For engineering changes, use the Pending Item Operations form to stage routing modifications that take effect on a specified date. This allows you to prepare routing changes without disrupting current production, and the system automatically transitions to the new routing when the effective date arrives.

Create alternate routings by changing the Routing number field to define parallel manufacturing methods for the same item
Use Production > Routings > Pending Item Operations to stage future routing changes with effective dates
Configure routing selection rules on job orders to allow planners to choose the optimal routing based on current capacity
Copy existing routings using the Copy Routing utility to create alternates quickly rather than re-entering all operation details

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use per-piece or per-lot run basis in SyteLine routings?

Use per-piece run basis when the operation time scales linearly with quantity, such as machining or assembly where each unit requires the same cycle time. Use per-lot run basis for operations like heat treatment, painting, or testing where the entire batch is processed at once regardless of quantity. A typical mixed manufacturer uses per-piece for 60-70% of operations and per-lot for 30-40%. Choosing correctly affects both scheduling accuracy and standard cost calculations.

How do I update routing times in SyteLine without affecting current jobs?

Use the Pending Item Operations form to stage routing changes with a future effective date. Current jobs continue using the existing routing while new jobs created after the effective date automatically pick up the updated operations. Alternatively, you can update the current routing directly, but this only affects new jobs — existing released jobs retain their routing snapshot. For a bulk update of 50 or more items, use the Routing Mass Maintenance utility to apply changes efficiently.

How many operations should a typical SyteLine routing have?

Most discrete manufacturing routings have 3-8 operations. Simple fabrication items might have 2-3 operations (cut, form, finish), while complex assemblies can have 8-12. Avoid exceeding 15 operations per routing as it increases scheduling complexity and MRP processing time. If a routing exceeds 10 operations, consider grouping minor steps into a single operation or using sub-assemblies with their own routings to simplify the BOM and routing structure.

Key Takeaways

1Creating a New Routing in the Current Operations Form: Navigate to Production > Routings > Current Item Operations to access the routing definition form, which uses the ItemOperations IDO (SLItemOperations). Select or search for the item that needs a routing.
2Configuring Operation Details and Scheduling Rules: Each operation supports detailed scheduling parameters beyond basic setup and run times. Set the Move Hours field to define transit time between consecutive work centers (typically 2-8 hours).
3Managing Alternate Routings and Routing Revisions: SyteLine supports alternate routings for items that can be produced on different equipment or through different processes. Access alternate routings through Production > Routings > Current Item Operations and change the Routing field from the default (blank or 1) to an alternate number.

Netray AI agents can audit your SyteLine routings for accuracy, identify operations with outdated time standards, and recommend routing optimizations that improve scheduling reliability and reduce manufacturing costs.

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Related Resources

Infor SyteLine