ABC classification

The ABC classification of a part determines the part's count cycle. The ABC Classification is selected when part numbers are created in Maintenix and if enabled, Maintenix can reassess the classification.

The ABC classification differentiates between high-cost and low-cost items. You count your expensive, A class items more often. By default, the parts that make up 80% of the total dollar value of your stock are A class, and these are counted every three months.
ABC class defaults
ABC Classification Percentage of total stock value in $ Counting interval
A - most expensive 80% Every three months
B 15% Every six months
C 4% Every twelve months
D - least expensive 1% Every twelve month

Administrators can configure the counting interval for each class and the percentage of total stock value assigned to each class. For more information, see the Maintenix Administration Guide.

Stock numbers can also have an ABC classification, but this attribute of the stock is for information purposes only. When parts are created, if at the same time, the Create Stock No check box is selected, the ABC classification for the part number is copied to the stock number.

Autocalculation of the ABC class

When you create a part number, you assign it an ABC class. If the Auto Calculate ABC Class check box is selected for the part number (and if the MX_CORE_ABCRECALCULATION job is enabled), Maintenix recalculates the ABC class periodically based on historical information. The default frequency for this recalculation is once a month, and is configurable.

To determine the ABC class, Maintenix uses the value percent thresholds defined in the REF_ABC_CLASS table, and performs the following calculations:
  1. Maintenix calculates the total value for all inventory required for the month.
    1. Maintenix calculates the monthly demand for each part by counting the number of ISSUE transfers for that part within the past year and dividing the sum by 12 months.
    2. The total value per part is calculated by multiplying the average unit price by the monthly demand for that part.
  2. Starting from the lowest total value, Maintenix adds the total values for part numbers, until the threshold for Class D is reached, and then it assigns the ABC class of D to all parts included in the total value summation so far.
  3. Maintenix continues to add the total values, until the threshold for Class C is reached, and then it assigns the ABC class of C to all parts that were included in the total value summation, after the threshold for Class C had been reached.
  4. Maintenix continues to add the total values, until the threshold for Class B is reached, and then it assigns the ABC class of B to all parts that were included in the total value summation, after the threshold for Class B had been reached.
  5. Maintenix assigns the ABC class of A to the remaining parts.
The MX_CORE_ABCRECALCULATION job updates the Next Count Date for all part numbers that change their class as a result of ABC recalculation. The new count date is set as follows:
  • If there is no previous count date (Last Count Date) the job verifies whether a Next Count Date was set for a bin level.
    • If the Next Count Date is set and is within the interval of the ABC class, then the Next Count Date is left as is.
    • If the Next Count Date is set but is not within the interval of the ABC class, then the Next Count Date is reset to the current date and interval of the ABC class is added.
    • If the Next Count Date is not set it will remain empty until a count is recorded.
  • If there is a previous count date (Last Count Date) the count interval of the new ABC class is added to the recorded date.

To see whether the job to calculate the ABC class is active or to see information about the calculations, you can click the info button on the Cycle Count tab.

Next count date

In addition to the updates made by the MX_CORE_ABCRECALCULATION job, the Next Count Date for a part number at a bin location is also updated when:
  • A bin level is created.
  • Inventory is created.
  • A transfer is completed.
  • A put away is completed.