Definitions, concepts, and terminology used in MaxPlus. Use this as a reference for onboarding and alignment.
Auto-MatchAuto-Match
MatchingMatching
Fully automatic 1:1 matching. The system finds an exact match between a customer requirement and available inventory — same part number, matching certificate, matching attribute (Dev Y/N), condition meets minimum requirement. No human intervention needed. The material is directly assigned.
Related: Smart-Match, Bottleneck
Smart-MatchSmart-Match
MatchingMatching
AI-scored alternative matching. When no exact Auto-Match is available, the system evaluates alternative materials based on multiple criteria: condition compatibility, certificate coverage, remaining life, location proximity, and customer tier priority. Returns a ranked list with match scores (0–100%). A human confirms the best option.
Related: Auto-Match, Match Score
BottleneckBottleneck
MatchingMatching
No match available. Neither Auto-Match nor Smart-Match could find a suitable material for the requirement. This triggers the Bottleneck Management workflow: the system suggests resolution options (procurement, repair, alternative sourcing) and escalates to the responsible team.
Related: Engpass Management, Procurement
Match ScoreMatch Score
MatchingMatching
A percentage (0–100%) calculated by Smart-Match to indicate how well a material fits a requirement. Factors include: condition compatibility, certificate match, remaining life percentage, customer tier priority, location (same location preferred), and attribute match. Higher score = better fit.
SBDB (Serviceable & Beyond Database)SBDB (Serviceable & Beyond Database)
InventoryInventory
The material pool / inventory database. Contains all individual serialized parts with their current status: serial number, part number, condition (FN/SV/OH/AR/BER), certificates, remaining life, location, and availability status (Available / Reserved / In Transit). This is the single source of truth for what material exists.
Related: Stock Levels, Dispo-Set
Stock LevelsStock Levels
InventoryInventory
Aggregated view of inventory per part number. Shows current stock vs. Safety Stock (minimum threshold) and Target Stock (ideal level). Alerts are triggered when stock falls below safety levels. Unlike SBDB which shows individual serials, Stock Levels provides the "big picture" of inventory health.
Related: SBDB, Safety Stock, Target Stock
Dispo-SetDispo-Set
InventoryInventory
A logical grouping of interchangeable part numbers. Parts within the same Dispo-Set can substitute each other. Each Dispo-Set belongs to a PSG (Product Support Group). When matching, the system considers all parts within the same Dispo-Set as potential candidates.
Related: PSG, Part Number
Condition CodesCondition Codes
InventoryInventory
Material condition classification:
FN — Factory New (unused, from manufacturer)
SV — Serviceable (inspected, ready to use)
OH — Overhauled (fully rebuilt to spec)
AR — As Removed (taken off aircraft, not yet inspected)
BER — Beyond Economical Repair (scrap / not repairable)
Strictly Observed (Hard Stop)Strictly Observed (Hard Stop)
FlagsFlags
A mandatory block flag set on material level only. When a part has a Strictly Observed flag, ALL matching is halted — no Auto-Match, no Smart-Match. All requirements for this material are routed to the Manual Queue. The flag must be resolved (removed or overridden with justification) before automatic processing can resume.
Related: Flexible Hint, Manual Queue
Flexible Hint (Soft Flag)Flexible Hint (Soft Flag)
FlagsFlags
A warning flag that can be set on customer level, material level, or both. Unlike Strictly Observed, matching still runs — but the result is held in "pending review" status. A dispatcher must manually confirm or reject the proposed match. Examples: open quality complaints, special customer conditions, regulatory notices.
Related: Strictly Observed, Pending Review
Customer RequirementCustomer Requirement
ProcessProcess
An incoming request from a customer (airline) for a specific part. Contains: customer name, tier (BF/Standard), part number, required certificate, priority (AOG/Urgent/Routine), and attribute requirements (Dev Y/N). This is the input that triggers the matching process.
Related: BF Tier, AOG, Matching
BF Tier vs. StandardBF Tier vs. Standard
ProcessProcess
BF (Business Framework) — Premium customers with contractual SLAs. Their requirements are prioritized in matching and get preferential treatment for material allocation. KPI: BF Fulfillment Rate is tracked separately.
Standard — Regular customers without framework agreements. Served after BF customers when resources are contested.
AOG (Aircraft on Ground)AOG (Aircraft on Ground)
ProcessProcess
Highest priority level. An aircraft is grounded and cannot fly until the required part is delivered. AOG requirements override all other priorities and are processed immediately. In MaxPlus, AOG triggers expedited matching with real-time alerts to dispatchers.
Related: Priority Levels, Customer Requirement
Manual QueueManual Queue
ProcessProcess
A dedicated workspace for requirements that cannot be processed automatically. Requirements land here when: a Hard Stop (Strictly Observed) is detected, a Soft Flag review is rejected, or a Bottleneck has no automated resolution. Dispatchers manually handle these cases with full visibility into the reason for escalation.
Related: Strictly Observed, Bottleneck, Dispatcher
Dev Y / Dev N (Attribute)Dev Y / Dev N (Attribute)
ProcessProcess
Deviation attribute on materials. Dev Y = Deviation Yes (material has a deviation from standard spec, acceptable for most customers). Dev N = No Deviation (fully standard). Some customers/regions require Dev N only. Matching must respect this attribute — a Dev Y material cannot be assigned to a Dev N requirement.
Dispo-Set Priorities
Inventory
Each Dispo-Set is classified into one of three priority levels based on the supply-demand ratio across all part numbers in the set. Prio 1 (🔴): Many requirements, no material available — critical shortage. Prio 2 (🟡): Many requirements, material is scarce — tight supply. Prio 3 (🟢): Enough material to cover all requirements — healthy supply. This classification drives stock replenishment urgency and workshop repair prioritization.
Related: Safety Stock, Target Stock, Engpass-Boost
Workshop Requirement
Process
An internal request from a workshop (repair station) for material needed to perform repairs or overhauls. Can be short-term (urgent repair, aircraft waiting) or long-term (planned overhaul). Workshop requirements for parts below Safety Stock receive an automatic Engpass-Boost — their priority is upgraded because the repaired unit will return to the available pool, resolving future shortages. Both customer and workshop requirements follow the same priority ladder.
Related: Customer Requirement, Engpass-Boost, Dispo-Set Priorities