Hi:
Do you know how to rerserve equipment? I experimented with PRT and creating a work center for the specific piece of equipment and scheduling but can't figure it out. I would like to reserve a crane in a work order and exclude anyone else from using it until the work order is complete. Any ideas? Thanks.

In average, how much time passes between the job is done (physically) and the work order is completed (TECO?) at the system?
Could you afford having the tool/equipment reserved at the system but physically free at the shop?

when we setup our system decided to not implement this feature.

That's a good point Eugene. We will have to be sure to TECO at the end of the job. Do you know the best method to accomplish the reservation?

Sorry, since we decided not to use that function, I didn't check the details on how to implement it.

Joe, I think you have to work with IT Engineer to set up this new function. In general, you have to register your tools in SAP PM. UAT the functionality once completed by IT.

Thanks Josh, I am not sure what that means. I heard that one way to do it was to create a work center called crane and then schedule it like you would a person.

Yes, you can use work centre for machines in worshop or cranes in your case. But work centres are mainly used for maintenance sections with people under them. So that's why I mentioned PRT in SAP PM can be used for reserving and managing tools & equipment in general. Have to consult your SAP PM expert.

Thanks Josh

We use work centres for cranes and usually assign them as sub-operations to the operation for which they are required. Then when using capacity planning the crane is automatically scheduled with it parent operation.
I favour use of work centres over PRT as work centres are something all of our maintenance group understand and use with ease. PRTs on the over hand are understood only by the advanced users.

Excellent idea David! Now if we have only one crane and it is scheduled in a work order are we prevented from using the crane in another work order? Are there formula's within the work center setup to prevent it from being scheduled twice?
I need to learn more about capacity planning so my question may be lame.
Thanks for the response.

Pardon my ignorance... PRT stand for? which transactions are used to work with PRT?

PRT is Production/Resource Tools, it is a type of equipment. See IE25. You can assign production resources/tools (PRT) to each activty. Unlike machines and fixed assets, production resources/tools (PRTs) are movable (non-stationary) operating resources, that are required to perform an activity and can be used repeatedly.

I could not find a way to "lock it up" so others can't use it when for instance there is only one of them.

Joe G,

SAP can be prevented from scheduling a wrok center, the crane, twice for the same period by setting the work center available capcity to 1 and overallocation to 0%.

To find out more about capacity planning I suggest you use the advanced find features of this site to search for "capacity planning". If you also limit search to postings by me you will find links to good articles on subject. (Note: ignore the comment in one posting in which I state that we do not use capacity planning as I have now moved to a site that does).

Thanks David, great information again. I'm going to read the information you referenced. I found "Overload" in the Work Center Capacity Header (in Planning Details) but it won't take 0. Am I in the correct place? or if I am, is blank zero?

I figured it out, the finite scheduling box must be checked. Thanks for you help.