Available-to-promise (ATP) is a business function that provides a response to customer order inquiries, based on resource availability1. It generates available quantities of the requested product, and delivery due dates. Therefore, ATP supports order promising and fulfillment, aiming to manage demand and match it to production plans1.
The most appropriate course of action when the customer requests an order of 100 units in Period 1, but the ATP is only 85 units, is to promise the 85 units in Period 1 and the remaining 15 units in the next possible ATP period. This way, the customer can receive a partial fulfillment of their order as soon as possible, and the rest of their order when more inventory becomes available. This approach also avoids overpromising or underdelivering, which can damage customer relationships and satisfaction.
The other options are not appropriate, because they either violate the master schedule, ignore the component availability, or disadvantage another customer. Increasing the MPS quantity in Period 1 by 15 units may not be feasible or desirable, because it may disrupt the production plan, increase costs, or create capacity issues. Promising the 100 units, and then checking on component availability may result in a failure to deliver, if the components are not available or sufficient. Promising the 100 units by removing 15 units from another customer’s order with a smaller revenue value may be unethical or unfair, and may also cause dissatisfaction or complaints from the other customer.
