ATO Made Simple

A simple guide to Oracle’s Assemble to Order Process by

Larry Sherrod

What is ATO

• Assemble to Order is the process of building Models and Option Classes to support selectable options within the sales order process. The functionality then provides a means to generate unique Items, Boms and Routings to deliver configured product

What are Models and Options

Model

Option ClassATO Item

ATO Item

ATO Item

Here is a simple Model/Option Diagram. Each box in the Diagram represents an item and its item type (Template). There are two BOMs. The one at the Model level containing the mandatory item and Option Class and the Option Class BOM containing the two optional items. This structure supports conditions where you have a “fixed” assembly BOM (the mandatory ATO item) and optional processes. Things like special assembly treatments, testing or quality certifications.

Setup

• You will use the ATO and Option Class Seeded Templates

• You will need an Order Type which supports ATO workflows

• Map out your BOM structure

• All items and BOMs must be active in your Master Inventory Org

Item CreationStart with creating your ATO models. The seeded template should work fine. The images to the right show some of the basic attribute settings.

BOM StructuresYou can now build your BOM structures. You can start from the bottom up or top down. Either way works fine. Use the Indented BOM form to verify your bill structures.

Order EntryYou should be able to enter you model item in an order now. You will need to make sure the items are correctly priced before you begin.

Enter the model part number and press the Configurator button at the bottom of the form.

Note: The Configurator module is NOT required for simple ATO.

Order EntryYou should now be presented an HTML page with the breakdown of the options you must select. Use the blue arrows on the left of the form to open and close the BOM structure. Once complete, use the Preview Configuration button to view the configured BOM.

Order Entry

This image displays the results of the selections you made. Press the Finish button to close the configuration screens and go back to the Order Entry screen.

Order EntryThis images shows the configured order lines. You may have to use the Tools > Show Line Details in order to display lines for lower level parts. Now you can BOOK the order.

Auto Generate BOM and Work Order

• If you progress the order, you should have a status of “Create Configuration – Eligible”

• This process creates the items and BOMs• Once the configured item is created, you can progress

the order to “Create Supply Order – Eligible”• This creates the work order for the configured items• It is important to note these processes can be scheduled

to run in background and it is not necessary for the order entry person to process them

Shipping

• At this point, you can ship the goods as you would any other product.

Conclusion

• Simple ATO helps reduce the number of BOMs engineering must maintain

• Engineering needs only to create the ATO Model/Option Class structure

• Configured BOMs are created as part of the sales order process

• Sales Orders are hard linked to ATO work orders