MRP2 primarily enables what benefit?

• A. One source of supply
• B. A computerised system that incorporates a single database used by many different areas of the organisation. Enables optimal inventory control based on matching of supply and demand
• C. Calculate the quantity of materials required for each type of material and when they will be required
• D. Comparison against the best elsewhere in the organisation

Answer: (B)

MRP II is about linking planning across the whole organization through a computerised system that uses a single, shared database. This allows different parts of the business—like production planning, purchasing, finance, and the shop floor—to work from the same data and plans. With this integration, supply and demand can be matched more effectively, leading to better inventory control: fewer stockouts and less excess inventory, smoother scheduling, and clearer visibility of capacity and materials needs. The characteristic described—a single database used by many areas to optimize inventory by aligning supply with demand—captures the main benefit of MRP II. The other options describe narrower or unrelated ideas: one source of supply, routine material requirement calculations, or benchmarking elsewhere, which aren’t the primary advantage of MRP II.