Forecasting is one of the simplest ways to get ahead of demand changes before they hit purchasing and scheduling. If your team is reacting late, you end up expediting buys, moving the schedule around, or building the wrong items while critical parts run short.

Cetec ERP handles this by letting you enter forecast demand by date, then optionally include that forecast demand in MRP. Once you understand the setup and how MRP consumes the forecast, you can use forecasts to drive build-to-stock work orders and purchasing decisions with less guesswork.

Enable Forecasting Settings

Start by enabling two configuration settings. In Cetec ERP, go to Admin -> Config Settings and set “Show Forecasts” and “Include Forecast for MRP” to 1. After saving, log out and back in so the forecast options appear in the navigation.

Create and Maintain Forecast Records

Once forecasting is enabled, go to Sales -> Forecast. From there you can work in several views depending on what you need: an Overview, a Forecast List, an Import option (for .xls or .csv files), or a Summary view. These options are how you create, import, and maintain forecast demand over time.

Use Forecasts to Drive MRP Demand and Build-to-Stock Work Orders

Forecast records include a date, and that date is what drives the demand timing when you include forecasts in MRP. When you refresh MRP, select the “Include Forecasts In Next Allocation Run?” checkbox so the next allocation run pulls forecast demand into the results.

MRP will show the forecast-driven demand for specific parts. A common response is to create internal “build to stock” work orders scheduled around the forecast dates. Those internal work orders become the vehicle for driving demand into both production scheduling and purchasing, so you can buy and build what you expect to need on the dates you expect to need it.

Manage Past-Due Forecasts

A common question is whether forecasts automatically close when the forecast date is in the past. In Cetec ERP, forecasts remain open as demand until you delete them manually. This keeps the demand visible until your team decides it is no longer relevant.

To delete a forecast, go to your Forecast List and select the “Delete?” checkbox next to the record you want to remove.

Key Takeaways

• Enable “Show Forecasts” and “Include Forecast for MRP,” then log out and back in to see forecasting options.
• Create, import, and maintain forecasts from Sales -> Forecast using the available views.
• Forecast dates drive demand timing when you include forecasts in the next MRP allocation run.
• Use forecast-driven MRP demand to schedule internal build-to-stock work orders and trigger purchasing.
• Past-due forecasts do not auto-close, delete them manually when they are no longer needed.

Conclusion

Forecasting in Cetec ERP is a practical way to turn expected demand into dated requirements in MRP. When you keep forecasts current and intentionally include them in allocation runs, you give purchasing and scheduling a clearer target, and you can drive that plan through build-to-stock work orders instead of reacting late.