Controlled article versions – secure production

Harald Büchel

Principal Consultant at KUMAVISION

Precision counts in manufacturing. An incorrect item version can have expensive consequences: rework, rejects, complaints. Especially with complex products, it's clear: versioning is essential. For quality. For traceability. For efficient processes. With factory365 we have it under control.

When products change: Overview instead of chaos

Products evolve—new materials, revised drawings, and adjusted work plans. Without a structured system for managing these changes, things quickly become confusing. Manual control is prone to errors, and the lack of transparency can lead to serious problems:

• Unclear product life cycles: Changes are not traceable.
• No traceability: Product life cycles are unclear and changes cannot be traced.
• No status control: It is not clear whether a version has been released or has already expired.
• Difficult procurement: In projects, it is difficult to clearly define the exact version to be procured.

Securely control article versioning with KUMAVISION factory365

Harald Büchel, Principal Consultant at KUMAVISION, explains: “With factory365 Article versioning becomes a strategic tool. It extends the standard functions of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and offers companies consistent control over the entire product lifecycle.”

The core functions at a glance:

• Version-based master data management: Bill of materials and work plans are managed version-specifically – ideal for customer-specific requirements or product changes.
• Status managementVersions can be marked as New, Certified, or Expired. Only approved versions make it into production.
• Time validity: A start date defines exactly when a version is valid.
• Attribute management: Materials, drawing numbers and other features are documented for each version and automatically synchronized if necessary.
• PDM integration: The interface enables the exchange of versions and master data with external PDM systems.
• Project integration: In project plan lines, the exact version for procurement can be specified using the “Item Version Code” field – for maximum security and transparency.

Conclusion: Version security as a success factor

The introduction of article versioning with factory365 is a strategic step toward future-proof production. It not only protects quality and efficiency but also contributes to greater customer satisfaction. It provides managers within the company with a tool that makes complexity manageable and lays the foundation for sustainable success.

You would like to know more?

For more information, visit our Industry page for mechanical engineering.

Vincent Schatz is available for a personal consultation:

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