Planning Time Fence Configuration in Infor SyteLine
Planning time fences in SyteLine are the primary mechanism for preventing MRP nervousness -- the excessive rescheduling of production orders caused by minor demand fluctuations. Without properly configured time fences, every new customer order or forecast adjustment triggers cascading reschedule messages that overwhelm planners and destabilize the shop floor. SyteLine's time fence parameters on the Item Planning tab control this behavior.
Understanding SyteLine Time Fence Types
SyteLine implements three distinct time fence zones that progressively restrict planning system actions as you move closer to the current date. Each fence type serves a different purpose in the planning hierarchy and is configured at the item level or inherited from the item's Product Code defaults.
- Demand Time Fence (DTF): inside this horizon, only actual customer orders and manual forecasts create demand for MRP
- Planning Time Fence (PTF): inside this horizon, MRP generates exception messages but will not create new planned orders
- Frozen Fence: innermost zone where existing orders are locked and no automated changes are permitted
- Time fences expressed in days from current date on the SL_ItemPlanParms planning parameters
- Product Code defaults providing time fence values inherited by all items in the product family
Setting Time Fence Values by Item Type
Time fence durations should reflect the manufacturing and procurement lead times for each item category. A make-to-stock finished good with a 2-week production cycle needs different fence values than a purchased raw material with an 8-week lead time. The goal is to protect the actionable near-term schedule while allowing the planning system to optimize the outer horizon.
- MTS finished goods: DTF = 2-3 weeks, PTF = 4-6 weeks, Frozen = 1 week
- MTO finished goods: DTF = 1 week, PTF = 2-3 weeks, Frozen = 3 days
- Long-lead purchased items: DTF = 8-12 weeks, PTF = 16 weeks, Frozen = 4 weeks
- Short-lead purchased items: DTF = 1-2 weeks, PTF = 4 weeks, Frozen = 3 days
- Critical subassemblies: fence values aligned with parent finished good fences plus sub lead time
Managing Exceptions Inside Time Fences
When demand changes occur inside the planning time fence, SyteLine generates exception messages that require planner review and manual action. An effective exception management process separates high-impact exceptions from routine noise and gives planners clear decision criteria for each exception type.
- Reschedule-in messages inside PTF prioritized by dollar value and customer priority code
- Reschedule-out messages inside PTF evaluated for cost of carrying early inventory vs rescheduling cost
- Cancel recommendation messages inside PTF requiring verification of demand source before action
- Exception message tolerance bands (3-5 days) suppressing minor date change noise in SyteLine MRP Workbench
- Daily exception review process: 15-minute standup with planners reviewing top 10 exceptions by impact
Reduce MRP nervousness and stabilize your SyteLine schedules -- let our planners configure your time fences.
Related Resources
SyteLine MRP Parameters Tuning Guide
Optimize SyteLine MRP parameters including order policies, lot sizing, safety stock, and lead times for accurate material requirements planning results.
Infor SyteLineSyteLine Master Production Scheduling Best Practices
Master production scheduling in SyteLine with planning bill configuration, time fence management, rough-cut capacity checks, and schedule stabilization techniques.
Infor SyteLineSyteLine Demand Forecasting Configuration Guide
Configure SyteLine demand forecasting with statistical models, forecast consumption, demand management parameters, and accuracy measurement for production planning.