Overview

This article explains the available methods for creating Drawing/Part Numbers in Redant and provides guidance on creating, managing and maintaining manufacturing plans. Understanding how plans work is essential for maintaining accurate quotations, job records, production routes and material requirements throughout the system.

Creating a New Drawing/Part Number

When creating a new quotation or job, there are several options for assigning a Drawing/Part Number.

Option 1: Use the Customer's Drawing/Part Number

If the customer provides a Drawing or Part Number, this should normally be used as the reference.

• Enter the Drawing/Part Number exactly as supplied by the customer.
• Include any issue or revision level where applicable.
• If no issue level exists, enter a dash (-) in the Issue field.

This method maintains consistency with the customer's documentation and simplifies communication.

Option 2: Use an Auto-Generated Drawing Number

If the Drawing Number and Issue fields are left blank when creating a new quotation or job, Redant can automatically generate a new Drawing Number.

The generated number is typically made up of:

• A company-defined prefix
• The next available register number

Example:

• Drawing Number: CW-2316
• Issue: -

This approach is particularly useful where most manufactured items are unique and not repeat orders. Previous items can still be located quickly using description searches within the system.

Option 3: Use an Internal Standard and Size Reference

Where a customer does not provide a Drawing Number, an internal standard combined with key dimensions can be used.

Example:

• Drawing Number: BS1768 1/4 X 6

Where additional specifications are required, these can be included in the Drawing Number.

Example:

• Drawing Number: BS1768 1/4 UNF X 6

The item description can then provide a clearer description of the component.

Example:

• Description: 1/4 X 6 Hex Bolt

Material information can either be included within the description or recorded in the item notes.

Option 4: Copy an Existing Drawing

If a similar Drawing/Part Number already exists, it can be used as the basis for creating a new one.

Steps

1. Open the Register module.
2. Locate the existing Drawing/Part Number.
3. Select Copy Drawing.
4. Enter the new Drawing/Part Number.
5. Update the Issue Number and Description as required.
6. Save the record.
7. When prompted, choose whether to copy the existing plans.

Copying a drawing can significantly reduce setup time, particularly when manufacturing requirements are similar.

Once copied, any process, material, subcontract or miscellaneous details can be amended to suit the new part.

Plan Management Across Redant

Plans are shared across multiple modules within Redant, including:

• Register
• Quotations
• Job Orders

Changes made to plans in one module are reflected throughout the system.

For this reason, many users prefer to create and maintain Drawing/Part Numbers within the Register module before using them elsewhere.

Understanding Redant Plans

Redant allows the same Drawing/Part Number to be manufactured using different methods through the use of Plans.

There is no practical limit to the number of plans that can be assigned to a Drawing/Part Number.

Plans allow businesses to account for variations such as:

• Different materials
• Alternative manufacturing processes
• Different subcontract finishes
• Customer-specific requirements
• Alternative production methods

Default Plans

Whenever a new Drawing/Part Number is created:

• Plan 1 is automatically generated.
• No additional setup is required.

The active plan number can be viewed:

• On quotation screens
• On job screens
• Within the Register module

Using Plan Descriptions

Each plan should include a meaningful description identifying its purpose.

For example, a plan created for parts manufactured from stainless steel may use a description such as:

• 316 Stainless
• 316 SS

Plan descriptions are entered within the:

• Process tab
• Material tab
• Subcontract tab
• Miscellaneous tab

The description field is located beside the Plan Number field above the entry grid.

Best Practice for Plan Descriptions

Although each section can have its own description, it is recommended that all plan types use the same description for the same plan number.

For example:

This makes it easier to confirm that the correct process, material and subcontract plans are being used together.

Consistent descriptions also reduce the risk of estimating or manufacturing errors.

Creating a New Plan

There are two methods available for creating plans.

Method 1: Create a Plan Manually

1. Open the Process, Material, Subcontract or Miscellaneous tab.
2. Enter a new Plan Number in the Plan Number field.
3. The system will create a new blank plan if the number does not already exist.
4. Enter a Plan Description.
5. Complete the plan details as required.

Existing plans can be viewed and selected using the Plan Number drop-down list.

Method 2: Copy an Existing Plan

Copying an existing plan is usually faster than creating a new plan from scratch.

Steps

1. Select the plan you wish to copy.
2. Click Copy Plan.
3. Select either:
   • An existing plan number, or
   • New Plan to automatically generate the next available plan number.
4. Click OK.

The copied plan will contain all details from the original plan and can then be modified as required.

Copying Plans from Another Drawing

Each planning tab contains a Copy button which allows information to be copied from another Drawing/Part Number.

This is useful where similar products share manufacturing requirements.

Example

If a drawing already exists for:

• BS1768 1/4 X 6

and you are creating:

• BS1768 3/8 X 6

you may choose to copy process, material or subcontract plans from the existing drawing and then adjust them as necessary.

Different plan types can be copied from different drawings if required.

Selecting the Active Plan

When moving between tabs, the displayed plan will normally default back to Plan 1.

The plan numbers assigned to the drawing are controlled from the main:

• Register screen
• Quotation screen
• Job screen

To use a different plan:

1. Select Edit.
2. Change the relevant plan numbers.
3. Save the record.

Where possible, use the same plan number for all plan types to simplify administration and reduce errors.

Important: Protecting Historical Data

Plans are shared against a Drawing/Part Number.

This means that editing an existing plan can affect:

• Historical quotations
• Existing jobs
• Future jobs
• Costing information
• Manufacturing records

Golden Rule

Only edit an existing plan to correct an error.

If the manufacturing method has changed, create a new plan instead.

Examples of changes that should result in a new plan include:

• Different material specifications
• Different process routes
• New subcontract operations
• Alternative finishes or coatings
• Revised production times
• New quality requirements

Creating a new plan preserves historical accuracy and ensures previous quotations and jobs continue to reflect the manufacturing method originally used.

Summary

Redant provides flexible Drawing/Part Number management and allows multiple manufacturing methods to exist against the same part through the use of plans.

To maintain accurate data:

• Use the most appropriate Drawing/Part Number entry method.
• Apply clear and consistent plan descriptions.
• Use the same plan number across all plan categories where possible.
• Create new plans whenever manufacturing requirements change.
• Avoid modifying existing plans unless correcting an error.

Following these guidelines will help ensure consistency across quotations, jobs, production planning and historical records.