mrp/usage_guide.md

# CODEXIUM: End-to-End Workflow Guide

This guide walks through the core operational workflow in CODEXIUM, starting from capturing a customer request in a Quote, all the way to shipping the final product.

## 1. Create a Quote
The process begins when a customer requests pricing.

1. Navigate to the **Quotes** module.
2. Click to create a **New Quote**.
3. Select the Customer using the searchable lookup.
4. Add **Quote Lines** by searching for the requested Inventory SKUs. The default price from the item master will automatically populate.
5. Add any necessary discounts, freight, and notes.
6. The Quote can go through an approval process. Once the customer accepts the terms, proceed to the next step.

## 2. Convert to Sales Order
Once the Quote is accepted, it becomes firm demand.

1. Open the approved **Quote**.
2. Use the action menu to **Convert to Sales Order**. 
3. This creates a new Sales Order record, carrying over all lines, pricing, and customer information.
4. The Sales Order is now the authoritative commercial record for this demand.

## 3. Create a Project
For complex or long-running deliveries, create a Project to track the execution.

1. Navigate to the **Projects** module.
2. Click **New Project** and select the same Customer.
3. Define the project scope, priority, due dates, and owner.
4. Set up high-level **Milestones** to track progress on deliverables.

## 4. Assign Quote and Sales Order to Project
Link the commercial documents to the execution tracker.

1. Open the newly created **Project**.
2. In the project details, link the original **Quote** and the active **Sales Order**.
3. *Note: You can also link the Project from within the Quote and Sales Order detail pages. This reverse-link ensures that quote conversion automatically carries the project context into the Sales Order.*
4. The Project dashboard now provides visibility into the commercial value and linked deliverables.

## 5. Determine Manufacturing & Supply Requirements (Demand Planning)
With the Sales Order firm and linked to a Project, determine what needs to be made or bought.

1. Navigate to the **Workbench** module, where the **Demand Planning** view is available for the Sales Order.
2. The system runs a **Multi-level BOM explosion** against the Sales Order lines, netting against current stock and open supply (existing POs/MOs).
3. The system will generate **Build/Buy recommendations** for any shortages.

## 6. Issue Purchase Orders (POs)
Fulfill the "Buy" recommendations.

1. From the Demand Planning recommendations, use the planner-assisted conversion to draft **Purchase Orders** for the required buyout items and raw materials.
2. The POs will automatically peg back to the source Sales Order and carry the Project context.
3. Preferred vendors from the inventory item master are selected by default.
4. Send the PO PDFs to vendors and manage receiving in the **Purchase Orders** and **Warehouse** modules.

## 7. Issue Manufacturing Orders (MOs/Work Orders)
Fulfill the "Build" recommendations.

1. Again, from the Demand Planning recommendations, convert the "Build" shortages into **Work Orders**.
2. The Work Orders define the execution plan (Operations/Stations) based on the item's routing templates in the **Manufacturing** module.
3. Provide the Work Order to the shop floor.
4. As operators log labor and issue materials against the Work Order, the costs roll up, and final completion posts the finished goods to inventory, making them available for shipment.

## 8. Assign Shipping
Once production is complete, deliver the goods.

1. Navigate to the **Shipments** module and create a **New Shipment**.
2. Link the Shipment directly to the **Sales Order**.
3. The system shows the ordered vs. picked vs. remaining quantities.
4. Execute **Shipment Picking**, which pulls stock from specific warehouse locations and posts the inventory issue transactions.
5. Update logistics details: Carrier, Service Level, Tracking Number, and Package Count.
6. Generate branded logistics PDFs directly from the Shipment: **Packing Slips, Shipping Labels, and Bills of Lading**.
7. The Shipment can also be seen from the linked Project, closing the loop on the delivery lifecycle.