Post-Build & Shipment
Close out the build, return excess material to inventory, and document what was actually used.
Overview
Post-Build is where What did we build? gets its definitive answer. When manufacturing is complete, the kit that went to the floor comes back. Not all of it was used — partial reels, cut tape remnants, and any parts not consumed by the build need to be reconciled, returned to inventory, and made available for future jobs. Consigned parts belonging to the customer need to be identified and set aside for return.
Post-Build closes the loop between what was planned and what actually happened. The core of this stage is the Finalize RFF (Return from Floor) process — a line-by-line review of the picklist that records what was consumed, what is being returned, and where returned material is going back in the warehouse.
The output of this stage is a closed picklist, clean inventory, and an As Built report that documents the actual parts used in the build against the original BOM specification.
Finalize RFF — Return from Floor
Finalize RFF is a guided review of every item that was picked for the build. For each line, you record how much was consumed and where the remainder is being returned. When the review is complete, the picklist closes and inventory is updated automatically.
Open the picklist and start the RFF review
From the closed build's picklist — which is still in Published state — initiate the Finalize RFF process. The system presents every picked line for review in sequence. Each line shows the MPN, the quantity that was picked, and input fields for consumed quantity and return bin.
Enter consumed quantity for each line
For each picked item, enter the quantity that was actually consumed by the build. The system calculates the return quantity automatically — picked minus consumed. Common scenarios:
Scan the return bin for each item being returned
For any line with a return quantity greater than zero, scan the bin or shelf location where the item is being returned. This can be the original storage location or a different one — the system records whatever bin you specify. Scanning the bin at return time means the inventory record's location is accurate from the moment it re-enters stock, with no separate location update step required.
Complete the review — picklist closes, inventory updates
Once every line has been reviewed, completing the Finalize RFF process moves the picklist from Published to Closed. Simultaneously, MetisLogic updates inventory: consumed quantities are marked as Consumed, and returned quantities transition back to Available — retaining their original tags, lot codes, date codes, and media types. The returned material is immediately available for reservation, commitment, and picking on future jobs.
How returned inventory is handled
When parts come back from the floor, their full history travels with them. The inventory records are not recreated — they are updated in place with the same PSID, preserving all the attributes that make them findable and attributable to the right customer or job.
Tags are preserved
Customer tags, job tags, and any other tags applied to the inventory at receiving are retained when material returns from the floor. A part received for a specific customer is still attributed to that customer when it goes back on the shelf — no re-tagging required.
Lot codes, date codes, and media types are retained
The traceability data captured at receiving — lot code, date code, media type — remains attached to returned inventory. A partial reel that comes back from a build retains its original date code and can be found, filtered, and evaluated with full context for the next job that needs it.
Consigned parts are identified for customer return
Parts received as consignment are flagged throughout the workflow. When consigned inventory returns from the floor, it is clearly distinguished from purchased stock — making it straightforward to identify what needs to go back to the customer rather than back to general inventory. This prevents customer-owned material from being inadvertently allocated to a different job.
As Built report
Once the picklist is closed, the As Built report is available. This report compares what the BOM specified against what was actually consumed in the build — providing a permanent, line-by-line record of the build as it was actually executed.
The As Built is the definitive answer to the question "what went into this build?" It is useful for customer delivery documentation, quality audits, warranty tracking, and traceability investigations — for example, identifying which builds used a specific lot code if a supplier issues a quality alert after the fact.
| BOM specification | As Built (actual) | Captured detail |
|---|---|---|
| MPN per line | MPN actually consumed | Flags substitutions where a different part was used |
| Required quantity | Quantity consumed | Shows over- or under-consumption per line |
| — | Lot code | Traceable to the specific lot that went into the build |
| — | Date code | Age of the component at time of use |
| — | Manufacturer | Confirms AML compliance or flags deviations |
Substitutions are visible. If a part used in the build differs from the BOM specification — an approved alternate, a last-minute substitution, or a part number correction — the As Built report shows both the original specification and what was actually used, side by side.
Quantity deviations are captured. If slightly more or fewer components were consumed than the BOM specified — due to rework, yield loss, or test failures — the actual consumed quantity is recorded per line. This gives an accurate picture of true material usage rather than planned usage.
Customer deliverable. The As Built report can be shared with the customer as part of build delivery — providing documentation of exactly what was built, with what parts, from which lots. For regulated industries or customers with strict traceability requirements, this is often a required deliverable.
Best practices
Complete Finalize RFF promptly after the build
The longer the gap between manufacturing completing and Finalize RFF being run, the harder it is to accurately assign consumed quantities. Parts may get separated from the kit and mixed with other jobs with the same parts or mistakenly thrown away. Running RFF soon after the build completes — ideally the same day — produces the most accurate records.
Return material to its original location unless there's a reason not to
Consistent return locations mean the team knows where to look for a part. If a partial reel of a common resistor always goes back to the same shelf position, anyone checking inventory will find it there. Using a different bin for a one-off reason is fine — just scan it accurately so the system reflects where it actually is.
Identify and set aside consigned returns before closing
Depending on your company's policies and agreements, consigned parts that weren't consumed usually need to go back to the customer, not onto the general shelf. Before completing Finalize RFF, confirm that consigned return quantities are being returned to a staging location for customer return — not to general warehouse storage where they might be pulled for a different job.
Review the As Built before it leaves the building
The As Built report is a permanent record of the build. Before sending it to the customer or filing it for quality purposes, review it for any consumption quantities that look off, or any other unexpected deviations. It is much easier to investigate and correct a discrepancy before the build ships than after the customer has it in hand.
See Post-Build in action
Request a demo and we will walk through a complete Finalize RFF session and show you what an As Built report looks like for a real job.