In the world of manufacturing, efficiency and accuracy are critical to success. The Forward Flushing Method in Business Central is a powerful tool designed to automate material consumption, reducing manual effort and minimizing errors.
This method ensures that materials are automatically deducted from inventory at specific stages of production, making it ideal for high-volume or standardized manufacturing processes.
Let’s break down how Forward Flushing works, when to use it, and how to implement it effectively—with a simple example to make it easy to understand.
What is the Forward Flushing Method?
The Forward Flushing Method is an automated way to record material consumption during production. Instead of manually tracking and deducting materials, the system does it for you at predefined stages. There are two ways to apply it:
Forward Flush the Entire Order: All materials are deducted at once, either at the start or completion of the production order.
Forward Flush by Operation: Materials are deducted at each specific step or operation in the production process.
How Does Forward Flushing Work in Business Central?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up and using the Forward Flushing Method:
Set the Flushing Method on the Item Card:
Go to the Items List and select the item you’re working with.
Open the Item Card and navigate to the Replenishment FastTab.
In the Flushing Method field, select Forward.
Forward Flush the Entire Order:
Create a Released Production Order and refresh it. The system will automatically post the material consumption.
Check the Item Ledger Entries to verify that the materials have been deducted correctly.
Forward Flush by Operation:
Set up Routing Link Codes in the Routing Master and Production BOM:
Assign routing link codes to each operation in the Routing Page.
Assign corresponding routing link codes to the components in the Production BOM.
Create a Released Production Order. As each operation is started, the system will automatically deduct the materials tied to that operation.
Post Output and Change Status:
Once all operations are completed, change the status of the production order from Released to Finished.

When Should You Use Forward Flushing?
This method is perfect for:
Standardized production processes where material usage is predictable.
High-volume manufacturing where manual tracking would be time-consuming and error-prone.
Operations-specific material usage, where certain materials are consumed at specific stages.
Example: Imagine an automotive assembly line. As the car moves through each stage—like installing the engine, adding seats, or attaching doors—the Forward Flushing Method can automatically deduct the required materials (e.g., screws, bolts, or gaskets) as each operation is completed.

Advantages of Forward Flushing
Efficiency: Automates material consumption, reducing manual effort.
Accuracy: Ensures precise tracking of materials at each operation.
Scalability: Perfect for high-volume or repetitive production environments.

Tips for Effective Forward Flushing
Double-check that routing link codes are correctly assigned to operations and components.
Regularly review Item Ledger Entries to confirm accurate consumption posting.
Use this method for standardized processes to maximize its benefits.
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