Production Start and End Dates
NetSuite automatically calculates Production Dates by default based on related work order transactions. This includes Assembly Builds for Standard Work Orders and Issue Components and Work Order Completions for WIP Work Orders. This functionality enables you to track production dates to help assess production plans, identify problems, and optimize production.
NetSuite starts calculating production when the first build transaction is initiated or, if WIP is enabled, the date components have been issued. The system end date is recorded when the work order is closed. The end date must occur on the same day or some time after the start date. You cannot record an end date if you have not entered a start date.
For example, you start to build mountain bikes for an assembly build. The work order displays both the production start and end dates as January 16. The work order instructions require that 10 bicycles be built. On January 15, two bicycles were built in your facility, so the system records the Start Date as January 15. However the other eight bicycles are assembled earlier, on January 10. NetSuite automatically adjusts the work order Start Date as January 10 and the End Date to January 15.
Automation logic always uses transaction dates. In the preceding example, the system used the dates from the assembly builds for these non-WIP work orders. However, NetSuite lets you manually change start and end dates.