San Ramon, CA – May 29, 2001 – Relevant Business Systems' new, advanced MRO module handles complex issues that are unique to maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organizations and provides a seamless linkage to standard manufacturing functions. Created especially for aircraft and related maintenance organizations, as well as other businesses that deal with the service and repair of their customers’ items, users can use the advanced MRO module to track work orders, purchase orders, sales orders, inventory, approvals such as FAA airworthiness Form 8130, and costs by both project item and condition code.

Based on customer inputs, the MRO module maintains information generated about the returned item from the initial receipt of the part through quoting, repair, shipping, and invoicing. It maintains a capabilities file by item number that automatically determines if the user is allowed to perform the work which needs to be done, assuring the shop only undertakes repairs on items for which it is certified. Costs are maintained and rolled into the job, allowing the user to see all costs incurred at any point in the process, broken down by material, labor, overhead and subcontract.

“There are many subtleties to this module,” explains Patrick Garrehy, Relevant Business Systems' President and CEO. “As an example, the built-in ability to run MRP by condition code is just one of several features that sets Relevant apart from other ERPs. Trying to customize an ERP system to track the condition of a component—new, overhauled, once used, refurbished, or a combination—and provide restrictions over whether or not a given condition code can be mixed in inventory with other condition codes or shipped to fill a demand, will result in a jumbled mess. Sooner or later, the user needs to change all screens and query everything.”

The Relevant MRO module is linked to the Inventory Control, Purchasing, Shop Floor, Sales Order Management, and MRP modules. Inventory Control provides for all material planning, controlling, monitoring, and transacting. Inventory is maintained by warehouse location and row/aisle/bin detail. Purchasing provides the ability to consolidate purchases for inventory, non-inventory, and service items, as well as subcontracted parts and operations. It includes receiving transactions as well as vendor performance information.

The Shop Floor module allows the MRO organization to schedule the shop, find potential bottlenecks, maintain routings and report labor. Sales Order Management links the repair order with accounting through its shipping/invoicing procedures to issue credit/debit memos, customer files, and credit information. MRP plans the purchase and production of inventory items based on user-defined parameters and condition codes. It creates suggested orders that may be modified and firmed, all designed to maintain low inventory levels that satisfy all requirements in a timely fashion.

“As a result of partnering with our MRO customers, we believe Relevant provides well over 90 percent of the useable ERP needs that a sophisticated MRO organization could leverage,” adds Garrehy. “Additional capabilities of the new advanced MRO module will be introduced in the very near future.”