This means scheduling. Workstations, whether design or even word processing, only do one job at a time. Service firms cannot compete effectively without an MRP II-type scheduling algorithm. Purchasing Raw Materials Coordination is the key to purchasing raw materials in accordance with the schedule. Companies can take advantage of the integrated nature of CIM to use the database information from design and scheduling to create purchase orders for materials.
Materials arrive at a workstation when needed, in accordance with the routing instructions.
The integrated nature of the scheduling algorithm makes it possible to purchase materials with enough lead time to ensure on-time delivery. If vendor-supplied items are not coordinated tightly with needs, the ability to deliver on time is jeopardized. Another way to gain a competitive edge in purchasing is to create a supply chain with the company's vendors. Some companies treat vendors as an extension of their own in-house workstations. Before they engage a vendor they make sure it is qualified to meet high quality standards, just like their own internal operations.