Make-to-Order vs Make-to-Stock Configuration in SyteLine
Most manufacturers operate in a mixed-mode environment where some products are make-to-stock and others are make-to-order. SyteLine supports both strategies through planning parameter configuration at the item level, but the interaction between MTO and MTS items sharing common components creates planning complexity. Incorrect configuration leads to MTO orders cannibalizing MTS inventory or MTS replenishment covering MTO demand.
MTO Configuration in SyteLine
Make-to-order items in SyteLine are configured to have their production driven entirely by customer orders rather than forecasts. The MTO flag, order policy, and pegging rules ensure that each production order is linked to a specific customer order and that MRP does not create speculative planned orders based on forecast.
- Source field on SL_Item set to 'Make to Order' activating customer-order-driven planning
- Order Policy set to Lot-for-Lot ensuring each customer order generates exactly one production order
- Full pegging enabled in MRP parameters to maintain customer order-to-production order traceability
- Forecast exclusion flag preventing statistical forecasts from generating independent demand for MTO items
- Customer order promise date driving backward scheduling of the linked production order in MRP
MTS Configuration and Replenishment
Make-to-stock items are planned based on forecasted demand and inventory reorder points. SyteLine's MTS configuration focuses on maintaining target inventory levels through planned production orders triggered by projected stock depletion. The combination of safety stock, reorder point, and order quantity parameters determines replenishment behavior.
- Source field set to 'Make to Stock' activating forecast-driven and reorder-point-based planning
- Safety stock quantity calculated from demand variability and target service level (95-99%)
- Order Policy options: Fixed Order Quantity for stable demand, Period Order Quantity for lumpy demand
- Reorder Point and Order Up To Level for items using min-max inventory management approach
- MPS-level planning for high-value MTS items with manual schedule review and approval
Mixed-Mode Planning for Shared Components
The real complexity arises when MTO and MTS finished goods share common raw materials and subassemblies. SyteLine's MRP must plan these shared components based on aggregated demand from both MTO and MTS parents. The allocation rules and pegging behavior at the component level determine whether MTO orders get priority access to constrained materials.
- Component items set to MTS with aggregate demand from both MTO and MTS parent items in MRP
- Allocation rules in SyteLine prioritizing MTO-pegged demand over MTS replenishment for constrained materials
- Separate Planner Codes for MTO and MTS product families enabling distinct review workflows
- Planning BOM with MTO and MTS percentage split for shared component demand disaggregation
- Inventory segmentation with dedicated safety stock allocation for MTO component requirements
Navigate MTO and MTS complexity in SyteLine -- our planning consultants configure mixed-mode environments that work.
Related Resources
SyteLine MRP Parameters Tuning Guide
Optimize SyteLine MRP parameters including order policies, lot sizing, safety stock, and lead times for accurate material requirements planning results.
Infor SyteLineSyteLine Configure-to-Order Product Configuration
Set up SyteLine configure-to-order with product configurator rules, option selection, BOM explosion, and pricing for custom-configured manufactured products.
Infor SyteLineSyteLine Planning Time Fence Configuration Guide
Configure SyteLine planning time fences with demand fence, planning fence, and frozen zone settings to stabilize production schedules and reduce MRP nervousness.