Master operations

The master operation is the most important building block for creating routes. Every operation in a route has a master (template) operation of the same name. The master operation defines default operation settings like name, color, setup time etc. In addition the master operation allows configuration of the alternative resources for a particular operation. I.e. the competence matrix deciding what resources a certain operation may be assigned to. This chapter explains how to create and edit master operations.

Please refer to the Getting Started->Creating master operations chapter for a step-by-step example on how to create and use master operations.

Click on…		if you want to…
	Edit resource	Open the window Edit resource. Use this as a shortcut to add or remove resources
	New	Create a new named master operation. Enter a new unique operation name, e.g. Welding, Painting etc. Bear in mind that master operation names are used extensively in different areas of ROB-EX Scheduler. E.g. routes, reporting etc. So it is recommended to keep the name short and concise. Once the operation is created, it appears in the master operation drop down list. Use the drop-down box next to the new button to select the desired operation type: Normal operation Use this to create normal operations – including operations that will act as the primary operation for sub-operations Milestone Milestones are operations without a duration, they are visualized as a black diamond shape in the Gantt chart. I.e. it may be an operation that a planner will choose to lock in time – to visually indicate a hard constraint. A milestone operation will typically be configured to use the same resource as either a previous or following normal operation, by selecting the built in virutual resource options “Operation before/after” (selected once the milestone operation is used in an actual route). The (locked) versions of these “virtual resources”, will glue the milestone together with the operation before or after. Sub-operation A secondary operation attached to a normal “primary” operation. Typically used to model e.g. tools needed during the duration of the primary operation. Please read more about sub-operations here.   After creating a new operation, the list “Resources attached to the operation” is initially empty. A resource is added to this list with the “Add resource” option described below
	Rename	Rename an existing operation.
	Edit	Edit the default values for an operation. Use the Edit operation window to specify the default values of the master operation. E.g. color, setup time, processing time, manpower, materials, etc. Next time the operation is inserted into a route these default values are copied to the new routing operation.
	Delete	Delete the selected master operation An operation can be part of several routes and of several production orders. It is not allowed to delete an operation being used in a route!
	Print	Opens the print dialog which will print a report containing operations and their assigned resources. I.e. a matrix of what resources are capable of performing which operation
	Add resource	Add a new resource alternative for the selected master operation. First select the master operation in the drop down list. Then select the resource(s) in the left side “Resource list” Click the “Add resource” button. The resource is then displayed in the list “Resources attached to the operation” Note that in case all members of a resource group are alternatives, then it is enough to add the resource group as an alternative – it is not necessary to add each member resource (unless resource level setting Scheduling->Alternatives from group is unmarked).
	Remove resource	Remove a resource from a master operation, so it is not longer a possible alternative. First select the master operation in the drop down list. Then select the resource to remove. Finally click the “Remove resource” button.
	Rearrange resource	Rearrange priority of assigned resources. When manually showing operation resource alternatives or when scheduling rules need to select an alternative, then they are tried in the prioritized sequence shown in the “Resources attached to the operation” list. To rearrange the priority, select one or more resources and press the up or down button until the selected resources is in the correct position
	Close	Close the window “Edit operation”