Logging Material Consumption

Logging Material Consumption

Logging material consumption records the quantity of each material actually used during a production run. This is the mechanism that reduces your stock levels and builds the actual cost record for the order.

When to Log Consumption

You can log consumption at any point while the production order is In Progress. There is no requirement to log everything at once — you can log as you go:

• Log wax when you weigh it out before melting
• Log fragrance when you measure and add it
• Log packaging materials when you start labelling

Each log entry is timestamped, so you have a clear record of when each material was consumed in the process.

Steps to Log Consumption

1. Open the production order (status: In Progress).
2. Go to the Materials tab.
3. Find the material you want to log. Each row shows the planned quantity alongside any quantity already logged.
4. Click Log Consumption on that material row.
5. Enter the quantity actually used. Use the same unit of measure as the material (kg, litres, units, etc.).
6. Optionally add a note (for example, "extra wax — spillage during pour").
7. Click Save. The stock level for that material is immediately reduced.

Logging Consumption Across Multiple Sessions

Consumption is cumulative. If you log 4.5 kg of soy wax on day 1 and 4.7 kg on day 2, the total consumed shows as 9.2 kg. Each log entry is stored separately, so you can see exactly when each quantity was recorded.

There is no limit to how many log entries you can make against a single material line.

Planned vs. Actual Comparison

After logging, each material row shows a comparison:

• Planned: the quantity from the product BOM x production quantity
• Used: the total quantity logged so far
• Variance: used minus planned (positive means you used more than expected)

Example for a batch of 50 Lavender Soy Candles:

• Soy Wax — Planned: 9.0 kg | Used: 9.2 kg | Variance: +0.2 kg
• Lavender Fragrance — Planned: 1.5 L | Used: 1.5 L | Variance: 0.0 L
• Cotton Wicks — Planned: 50 | Used: 52 | Variance: +2 (2 wicks were defective and discarded)

Using Variances to Improve Estimates

Variance data is most valuable when reviewed after completing several production runs of the same product. If you consistently use 2-3% more wax than planned, your waste factor in the product BOM is too low. Adjusting it upward means your future planned costs will be more accurate — and your pricing will reflect true production costs.

To update the product BOM, go to the product definition and edit the material quantities. This does not change historical production orders — it only affects future orders created from that product.

Materials Not in the BOM

Occasionally you may use a material that is not in the product BOM — for example, a cleaning agent used to prepare equipment, or a material substituted because the original was out of stock. You can add ad-hoc material consumption lines directly on the production order. These count toward the actual cost but do not affect the product BOM.