Complex manufacturing operations rely on task routing routines to ensure that production proceeds in a proper sequence and timely order. The most recent release of NetSuite (2025.1) has enhanced this capability within the suite.
Before NetSuite 2025.1, it was possible to define operations overlapping when the following operation task started with a delay after the previous operation task started. The connection type between operations was always Finish-To-Start. This remains the 'default' operation task connection type.
NetSuite Manufacturing Operations users can now add delays (lag time) between operations and change connection types. The following operation connection type options are now available:
- Start-To-Start: The subsequent operations start simultaneously (with minimal lag calculated automatically).
Start-to-start Operation type
- Start-To-Start with lag: The subsequent operation starts after a specified delay (lag) from the start of the first operation.
Start-to-start with Lag Operation type
- Finish-To-Start (default): The subsequent operation starts only after the previous one finishes.
Finish-to-start Operation (Default) type
- Finish-To-Start with lag: The subsequent operation starts after the first operation finishes, with an additional specified delay (lag).
Finish-to-start with Lag Operation type
NetSuite Manufacturing Operation users can view and edit the connection type and lag amount in the Predecessors sub-tab in the Manufacturing Operation Task popup window. Users can also define the connection type and lag amount in the Routing Steps sub-tab in the Manufacturing Routing popup window. The connection type for all existing operations will change automatically.
As a side note, before NetSuite 2025.1, Manufacturing Operation users were limited to adding, editing, or deleting only the last task in a manufacturing operation sequence. Now, users can do the following from the Operation sub-tab on the work order:
- Add an operation with any sequence number;
- Edit existing operations with a “Not Started” status to change their sequence numbers to any value; or
- Delete any operation with a “Not Started” status.
Both of these changes substantially increase the manufacturing operation routing capabilities of the suite.
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