Understanding the primary differences

between OPM and Discrete processes

March 7, 2007 by Kevin Creel Leave a Comment
A friend asked me to explain the primary differences in how Oracle Advanced Supply Chain
Planning supports Oracle Process Manufacturing vs Discrete manufacturing. I thought this might
be of general interest, so I am reposting part of my response here.
One of the primary differences between OPM and Discrete Manufacturing applications is the
Process that is used to define a batch. In Discrete, you have a BOM and a Routing that define the
manufacturing process (released as a discrete job). In OPM, you have a Formula and a Recipe
that are used to define the manufacturing process (released as a batch). A key point here is that
certain factors (validity rules) like date and quantity determine which formula and recipe
combination is used to make a specific batch.
ASCP maps these formulas and recipes into similar BOM and Routing structures, so that similar
planning functionality can be utilized by both source systems.
The OPM Product structure is characterized by:
Formula: Defines the components required to make the product and can be considered the
equivalent of a BOM structure. If a formula is used in multiple recipes which have different
Validity Rules, these formulas are considered equivalent to alternate BOM structures. ASCP
expects only one product to be produced per BOM structure. In OPM it is common to have coproducts produced which are represented in ASCP as byproducts (negative usage values) on the
same BOM.
Recipe Defines the process for making the product. A Recipe and its associated Validity Rules
define the process of using a specific formula and its equivalent Routing to make a product.
Validity Rules Associated to the Recipe to provide additional logic such as:
1. Start and End Effective date ranges.
2. Minimum and quantity ranges.
3. Preference to use in ties.
There are many other differences between OPM and Discrete such as how operations are
scheduled and MTQ quantities handled. It would be useful to review the ASCP release notes for
release 11.5.10 and release 12 . Many of the recent ASCP enhancements were designed to handle
these specific OPM scheduling requirements.

A great place to start to learn these processes is by reviewing the Oracle Process Manufacturing
Using Oracle Advanced Planning and Scheduling with Oracle Process Manufacturing User
Guide, Part No. A81002-06, last updated May 2004.
One of the primary differences between OPM and discrete in the Process that is used to define a batch. In
Discrete, you have a BOM and a Routing that define the manufacturing process (released as a batch). In
OPM, you have a Formula and a Recipe that are used to define the manufacturing process (released as a
discrete job). A key point here is that certain factors (validity rules) like date and quantity determine which
formula and recipe combination is used to make a specific batch.
ASCP maps these formulas and recipes into similar BOM and Routing structures, so that similar planning
functionality can be utilized by both source systems.
The OPM Product structure is characterized by:
Formula: Defines the components required to make the product and can be considered the equivalent of
a BOM structure. If a formula is used in multiple recipes which have different Validity Rules these formulas
are considered equivalent to alternate BOM structures. ASCP expects only one product to be produced
per BOM structure. In OPM it is common to have co-products produced which are represented in ASCP
as byproducts (negative usage values) on the same BOM.
Recipe Defines the process for making the product. A Recipe and its associated Validity Rules define
the process of using a specific formula and its equivalent Routing to make a product.
Validity Rules Associated to the Recipe to provide additional logic such as:
1. Start and End Effective date ranges.
2. Minimum and quantity ranges.
3. Preference to use in ties.
There are many other differences between OPM and Discrete such as how operations are scheduled and
MTQ quantities handled. It would be useful to review the ASCP release notes for 11.5.10 (J) . Many of the
recent ASCP enhancements were designed to handle these specific OPM scheduling requirements.