Outside Processing (OSP) Overview
External Operations allow you to designate specific operations that require outside services from external vendors. When enabled, these operations are linked to Service Items that must be purchased and managed through the Outside Processing (OSP) workflow, enabling full tracking of outsourced work from purchase order creation through receipt and completion.
Enabling External Operations
Accessing the External Operation Settings
Navigate to the operation you want to configure (typically within a Production Item's routing)
Locate the External Operation section within the operation details
Toggle the "Operation Requires Outside Service" switch to enable external operation tracking
When enabled, you'll be prompted to select a Service Item that represents the work being outsourced.
Configuring Service Items
Selecting a Service Item
Once the toggle is enabled:
Click the "Select Service" button
A drawer opens displaying the Service Definitions table
Browse or search for the appropriate service
Click "Select" next to the desired service
Click "Confirm" to attach the service to the operation
Available Information for Each Service:
Name: Service description with thumbnail and SKU
Vendors: Available vendors who can provide this service
UOM (Unit of Measure): How the service is measured (e.g., ea, hr, kg)
Required Qty: Quantity of service needed per operation (editable)
Unit Cost: Cost per unit from the vendor
Cost/Op: Total cost per operation (Required Qty × Unit Cost)
Creating a New Service Item
If the service you need doesn't exist, you can create it directly from the selection drawer:
Click the "New Service" button (with yellow border indicator)
Fill in the service details:
Service name and description
Unit of measure
Vendor information
Buy options (pricing, lead times, minimum order quantities)
Save the new service
It will automatically be selected for your operation
Service Item Configuration Details
Each Service Item includes:
Basic Information:
Name and SKU (Custom ID)
Thumbnail/image for visual identification
Description and notes
Unit of measure (ea, hr, ft, kg, etc.)
Vendor Buy Options: Multiple vendors can be configured per service, each with:
Vendor name and contact details
Price per unit
Lead time
Minimum order quantity
Currency (if multi-currency is enabled)
Tracking & Planning:
Demand analysis showing where and when service is needed
Order history
Inventory status for services that can be stocked
How External Operations Appear on the Operator Home Screen
Operation Pills Display
External operations are visually indicated on the Operator Home screen:
Visual Indicators:
Operations with attached services show special indicators in the operation pills
Operators can see which operations require external processing
Operation Card Details: When viewing a priority card with an external operation:
The operation displays normally in the routing sequence
Service requirements are indicated in the operation details
Operators can access operation-specific notes about the external service
Workflow Integration
External operations integrate seamlessly into the operator workflow:
Before External Operation:
Operators complete all preceding operations normally
Parts are prepared for shipment to the external vendor
During External Operation:
The operation is typically marked as blocked or waiting
Parts are tracked through the OSP shipment workflow
Status updates reflect that work is with an external vendor
After External Operation:
Once parts are received back from the vendor, the operation is marked complete
Operators can proceed with subsequent operations in the routing
Outside Processing (OSP) Workflow
External operations trigger and integrate with the complete OSP management system:
1. Awaiting Purchasing
What it shows: Operations requiring external services that need purchase orders
Key Information:
Production item and job details
Operation requiring the service
Quantity needed
Target delivery dates
Service specifications
Actions Available:
Create purchase orders for services
Link multiple operations to a single PO
View demand across multiple jobs
2. Purchase Orders (Services)
Creating Service Purchase Orders:
Select vendor from service definitions
Specify quantity, price, and delivery date
Link to specific job operations (demand links)
Add notes and special instructions
Track PO status (draft, sent, acknowledged)
Service PO Details Include:
Service item information
Linked operations and jobs
Pricing and terms
Expected delivery dates
Vendor contact information
3. Awaiting Shipment
What it shows: Services on purchase orders that need to be shipped to vendors
Actions Available:
Create OSP shipments
Select which parts/operations to ship
Generate packing slips
Track what's been sent to each vendor
Key Features:
Batch multiple operations into single shipments
Link shipments to PO service lines
Print shipping documentation
Update inventory to reflect parts in transit
4. OSP Shipments
Shipment Management:
View all active shipments to external vendors
Track shipment status (prepared, shipped, in process)
Edit shipment details
View packing slips
Monitor expected return dates
Shipment Details Include:
Vendor information
Service line items
Linked operations/jobs
Part quantities shipped
Tracking information
Status updates
5. Receiving List
What it shows: Services completed by vendors awaiting receipt
Receiving Process:
Identify completed work ready for receipt
Create receipt for returned parts/services
Verify quantities and quality
Update operation status to complete
Return parts to available inventory
Validation:
Verify quantities match expectations
Confirm quality of work performed
Link receipts to original shipments
Update job progress automatically
6. OSP Receipts
Receipt Documentation:
Complete history of all service receipts
Links to original shipments and POs
Quantity received vs. quantity shipped
Receipt dates and times
Associated jobs and operations
Post-Receipt Actions:
View receipt details and documents
Track which operations are now complete
Monitor any discrepancies
Generate reports for vendor performance
7. Service Definitions
Master Catalog Management:
Create and edit service items
Configure multiple vendor options per service
Set up pricing and lead times
Manage service specifications
View usage and demand analysis
Integration with Production Management
Job Routing Impact
When an operation is configured as an external operation:
Scheduling:
System accounts for lead times in production schedules
External operation durations reflect typical turnaround times
Buffer time can be added for shipping/receiving
Cost Calculations:
Service costs are included in operation costs
Total job cost reflects external service pricing
Cost breakdowns show OSP costs separately
Work-in-Process (WIP) Tracking:
Parts at external vendors are tracked as WIP
Inventory status reflects location (at vendor)
Job progress accounts for external operation stages
Dependencies and Sequencing
Upstream Operations:
Must be completed before parts can be shipped
System validates that prerequisites are met
Prevents premature shipment creation
Downstream Operations:
Blocked until external work is received
Automatically become available upon receipt
Operators see clear status updates
Summary
External Operations provide comprehensive management of outsourced manufacturing processes. By toggling "Operation Requires Outside Service" and linking Service Items, you enable complete tracking of external work through the full OSP workflow: from identifying demand, through purchase orders, shipment, vendor processing, receipt, and completion. This ensures accurate costing, proper scheduling, complete traceability, and efficient coordination with external vendors while maintaining seamless integration with your internal production operations and the Operator Home screen workflow.