Which system synchronizes the purchasing or materials procurement plans with the master production schedule?

Which system synchronizes the purchasing or materials procurement plans with the master production schedule?

• A. MRP II
• B. Closed Loop MRP
• C. ERP
• D. ATP

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is how a planning system keeps material purchases aligned with what the production schedule requires. Closed Loop MRP does this by creating a feedback path between the planning process and shop-floor execution. It not only uses the master production schedule to determine material needs, but also feeds back actual production results, inventory levels, and procurement status into the planning engine. That loop updates purchasing and procurement plans in real time, so orders for materials are issued in line with what is actually scheduled to be produced, helping to avoid shortages or excess inventory.

Other systems play important roles, but they don’t focus on maintaining that direct, ongoing synchronization with the MPS. MRP II broadens planning to other resources beyond materials, but the key feature of tying procurement directly to the MPS through feedback is the hallmark of Closed Loop MRP. ERP integrates various business functions but is a broader enterprise-wide system, and ATP is about what can be promised to customers, not about synchronizing purchasing with the MPS.