HotWax Accelerator (HWA) builds on Apache OFBiz and presents it through a streamlined, user-friendly interface. Apache OFBiz provides the underlying logic for modules. HWA makes these capabilities easier to access, configure, and operate.
Several enhancements support smoother workflows:
For production teams, this means predictable workflows, clear process visibility, and consistent task execution across all stages of manufacturing.
Building on what you previously learned about Bills of Materials, it helps to recall that the BoM defines what gets built while routing tasks (operations, as they are called in HWA) define how it gets built. Together, they form the core structure that drives every production run inside HotWax Accelerator. If you need a deeper refresher on creating multi-level BoMs, refer to the blog A Complete Guide To Create Multi-Level Bill of Materials in HotWax Accelerator for Manufacturers, to understand how to build routing tasks in HWA you can also visit A Guide To Set-Up Routing In HotWax Accelerator.
You can also revisit What is Bill of Materials in Apache OFBiz for a clear explanation of how the underlying Apache OFBiz framework handles BoM relationships.
To make this concept even clearer, let’s use the skateboard setup:
Finished Good: Skateboard
Components:
Now, let’s go one level deeper. The Deck itself isn’t a simple part — it’s an intermediate product (also known as a sub-assembly). It’s made up of four sub-components:
When you create a Production Run in HWA, the system refers to both the Bill of Materials (BoM), the defined Routing and the Operation (Routing Task) further linked to it, to execute production smoothly.
The BoM enables the system to:
At the same time, routing tasks tell the system:
Without a BoM and routing tasks, production would become a manual, error-prone exercise. With both in place, the process becomes organized, predictable, and scalable — ensuring everything runs like clockwork from raw material to finished product.
Manufacturing flow for the Skateboard.
Creating a production run for any item is a direct process because the BoM and routing are already defined. You will create the production run, review its details, allow HWA to generate dependent sub-assembly runs, and then execute tasks, issue materials, and complete the workflow.
When you begin a production cycle in HotWax Accelerator, the first task is to create the main production job. This job becomes the foundation for everything that follows — from issuing materials to completing sub-assemblies. The system already knows the structure of your product from its BoM and routing, so your role is to initiate the run and confirm that the details match your intent.
Step 1 - Open HotWax Accelerator. The dashboard appears with the usual business metrics. Select Create in the upper-right corner.
Step 2 - In the Create menu, choose Job under the Manufacturing section. This option opens a fresh production job form.
Step 3 - The job creation screen appears. Here is where you define the essential details for the run.
Step 4 - Enter the production quantity and fill in the required fields.
Use the Create dependent job field if you want Accelerator to automatically generate sub-assembly runs.
Select Create once everything looks correct.
After the job is created, Accelerator presents a detailed view that includes references, routing, and required sub-assemblies. Every production run needs managerial approval before it can begin, and Accelerator records this moment for audit purposes.
This is also where you’ll first encounter the system’s dependency checks — the logic that prevents parent jobs from running before their sub-assemblies are ready.
Step 5 - Review the job details. In the References section, you will see the Preceding Job, representing the sub-assembly that must be completed first.
Step 6 - Select the arrow next to Schedule and choose Approve.
This separates creation from authorization, mirroring common shop-floor roles.
Step 7 - A confirmation message appears. Now select Running to begin the job.
Step 8 - Accelerator stops you with a message. The parent job cannot run until the sub-assembly job is completed.
Select the child job in the References section to open it by clicking on the Job ID.
Before the parent job can move forward, the sub-assembly must go through its own approval and completion steps. This stage records when the job starts, tracks any issued materials, and marks the component as ready for inventory. Once the sub-assembly is completed, the system allows the main production run to continue.
Step 9 - The child job screen opens, showing details for the Deck sub-assembly.
Step 10 - Select Approve to authorize the sub-assembly job.
Step 11 - Select Running to begin production. Approval does not start the job automatically; this step records the actual production start time.
Step 12 - The job status updates, and you will see the confirmation message.
Before work begins, you need to issue the materials required for the Deck. This tells Accelerator which quantities were consumed during the operation and keeps your inventory accurate across the process.
Step 13 - Scroll to the Operations section and select the operation name (for example, LAM).
Step 14 - You will see the list of components required for this operation.
Step 15 - Select Approve to confirm the issuance. Use the checkboxes to select the components and choose Issue.
Step 16 - The issuance date appears in the rightmost column. Accelerator uses this for accurate tracking and auditing of material movement.
Once the sub-assembly work is finished and materials are issued, you can complete the child job so the parent job can continue.
Step 17 - Return to the child job screen. The component issuance is recorded.
Step 18 - Select Complete. Accelerator records the completion and makes the sub-assembly ready for inventory storage.
This step places the finished Deck into an inventory location so it can be picked during the parent assembly.
Step 19 - Select the here link in the success banner to open the putaway screen.
Step 20 - A popup appears with item details and system-generated Lot ID. Edit the facility or location if needed. Select Put.
Step 21 - The child job now displays the inventory item number. You will use this for issuing the Deck during the parent job.
With the sub-assembly complete and stored, you can now continue with the main production run.
Step 22 - Return to the parent job. Select Running. Scroll to the Operations section and choose the operation name (Final Assembly).
Step 23 - Approve the issuance. Select Reserve for the Deck. This ensures the correct Deck is linked to the skateboard being produced.
Step 24 - A popup displays the available Deck inventory. The Inventory Item number matches the Deck you produced earlier. Select Reserve.
Step 25 - Select the checkboxes for the components and click on Issue.
Step 26 - A confirmation message appears.
Step 27 - Return to the parent job screen. After completing the final assembly work, select Complete.
Adding Skateboard to the Inventory
Step 28 - You will see a confirmation message. Select the here link to stow away the finished skateboards.
Step 29 - In the popup, select Put to add the finished items to inventory. The system updates QOH and ATP automatically.
Step 30 - Return to the job screen to verify the Lot number and item details.
Quick glance for time taken
Hover over the clock icon on any job or task to see timestamps for approvals, runs, completion, or updates.
Returning unused materials to warehouse
In real world production scenarios, materials and components aren’t necessarily utilised fully and may get left over, or may not arrive in the condition required for production, and hence might need to be returned and/or replaced based on situation etc.
HWA allows for easy returns and accurate logs to maintain record of all activities being conducted on the production floor. In order to return, the process is very simple:
Step 1 - In the Issued Materials section, select the components to return. Enter the quantity and reason, then select Return.
Step 2 - Confirm the return through the timestamp that appears in the Returned On column.
A full production cycle in HotWax Accelerator brings together every major element of the manufacturing process. You begin by defining the product structure through its BoM and routing. These two pieces tell the system what needs to be built and how it should be built. When you create a production run, HWA uses that structure to generate the parent job and any required sub-assembly jobs.
As you work through material issuance, task execution, and final completion, HWA records each action and updates inventory in real time. Child jobs finish before parent jobs begin, ensuring that every assembly step follows a logical sequence. Once all work is complete, the finished goods move into inventory and become available for downstream processes such as order fulfillment or replenishment.
This creates a clear, traceable path from raw materials to finished products. The system handles dependencies, tracks progress, and maintains accurate records so you can focus on the work itself rather than managing the steps manually.
To explore more about HotWax Accelerator, click here.
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