Good morning and happy Monday everyone.
I have a business challenge to tackle and I would like some help thinking through options. I have both a customer and a prospect with a similar issue. They buy and sell several similar items and sometimes switch out components on a finished good item to meet a customers requirements. I'm looking for ways to address this business process.
As an example; XYZ lighting company sells a number of ceiling fans. These fans come in a number of sizes, finishes, and have various light fixture options. They have a high volume in certain models so these are purchased and stocked in inventory. Let's call this module Item ID FAN#1. A customer walks in and likes with FAN#2. FAN#2 is exactly like FAN#1 except the FAN#1 has square globes and FAN#2 has round globes. Because FAN#2 isn't a high moving item, we don't stock FAN#2. However, we do have the round globes in stock.
To make the sale, I need to take 5 round globes and a FAN#1 out of stock, create a new FAN#2 item, and add 5 square globes to inventory.
This happens about 10 times per week and they carry around 1,000 base items like FAN#1 that can be 'tweaked' by replacing inter-changeable components. There is a limited number of options involved like globes, light fixtures, and fan blades but each base FAN can be converted into around 100 different combinations of finished goods. Each new item is essential dis-assembled and re-assembled on demand to meet a sale.
With all that said, has anyone else tried to tackle something like this? Several options come to mind including kitting and BOM. The biggest challenge I see is int he dis-assembly. The assembly via kit or BOM is pretty straight forward and option BOM's are a good alternative provided I can put the pieces pulled from the primary component back into inventory.
Thank yo u in advance for your thoughts.