Configuring SyteLine for Engineer-to-Order Manufacturing
Engineer-to-order manufacturing in SyteLine requires a fundamentally different configuration approach than standard make-to-stock. Every order potentially creates a unique product with custom engineering, unique BOMs, specialized routings, and project-level cost tracking. SyteLine's ETO workflow connects the estimate-to-order pipeline with production execution, ensuring that engineering specifications flow through to the shop floor without manual re-entry or data loss.
Estimate-to-Job Workflow Configuration
The ETO workflow in SyteLine begins with the Estimating module, where engineers build cost estimates with preliminary BOMs and routings before the order is won. The Estimates form (Estimating > Estimates) captures material, labor, overhead, and margin assumptions. When the estimate converts to a customer order and production job, SyteLine copies the estimate BOM and routing into job-specific structures using the Estimate-to-Job conversion utility. The critical configuration is ensuring the conversion rules in the Estimating Parameters form correctly map estimate line types to job material and operation records, preserving engineering specifications and cost assumptions throughout the transition.
- Configure Estimating Parameters (Estimating > Parameters) for default conversion rules: estimate lines to job materials and operations
- Set up estimate templates in the Estimate Templates form for common product families to accelerate quoting
- Enable the estimate-to-job conversion path in the Workflow Configuration for automatic job creation on order entry
- Link estimates to customer orders using the Estimate Reference field on the Customer Order Lines form
- Configure estimate revision tracking in the Estimate Header to maintain version history through engineering changes
Job-Specific BOM and Routing Management
Unlike standard manufacturing where BOMs and routings are item-level masters, ETO operations in SyteLine use job-specific BOMs and routings that can be modified per order without affecting the master data. The Job Materials form and Job Operations form display the job-level copies that were created from the estimate or master BOM. Engineers can add, remove, or modify materials and operations on the job without impacting other jobs or future orders. The configuration key is setting the Job Copy Method parameter to control whether jobs copy from the item master BOM, the estimate, or a reference job, and whether engineering changes to the master propagate to open jobs.
- Set the Job Copy Method in SyteLine Parameters to control BOM source: Master (M), Estimate (E), or Reference Job (R)
- Enable job-specific BOM editing permissions through the Security form for engineering roles only
- Configure the ECN (Engineering Change Notice) propagation rule to exclude open ETO jobs from mass BOM updates
- Use phantom items in job BOMs for subassemblies that are not stocked but need planning and cost visibility
- Link job-specific drawings and specifications using the Document Attachment system on the Job Orders form
ETO Project Integration and Cost Tracking
For complex ETO environments, each customer order or group of orders maps to a project in SyteLine's project accounting module. This linkage provides multi-level cost visibility from individual job operations up to the total contract level. The Project-Job link is established in the Job Orders form by assigning the project number and task, causing all job transactions to roll up into project cost summaries. This integration enables percentage-of-completion revenue recognition, earned value tracking, and project-level profitability analysis that spans multiple production jobs, engineering activities, and procurement actions.
- Link jobs to projects using the Project and Task fields on the Job Orders form for automatic cost rollup
- Configure project task templates for common ETO product types to standardize WBS structures across similar orders
- Enable cross-job material transfers within the same project using inter-job transfer transactions in the Job Materials form
- Set up project-level procurement by creating PO requisitions linked to project tasks for long-lead materials
- Run the Project Cost vs. Estimate report to compare actual costs against the original winning estimate for margin tracking
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Related Resources
SyteLine Project Accounting Setup Guide
Set up project-based accounting in Infor SyteLine for ETO manufacturers. Configure project structures, cost collection, billing rules, and revenue recognition.
Infor SyteLineSyteLine Job Costing Configuration Guide
Configure job costing in Infor SyteLine with material, labor, overhead, and outside process cost elements. Complete setup guide for ETO and MTO manufacturers.
Infor SyteLineSyteLine Project Billing and Milestone Setup Guide
Configure milestone billing and progress billing in Infor SyteLine for project-based manufacturers. Set up billing rules, invoice schedules, and retention handling.