> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bold-factory.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Resources

> Understand areas, stations, tools, characteristics and manufacturing capacity.

**Resources** represent the physical or technical capacity needed to execute operations.

They can be areas, stations, machines, tools, equipment or characteristics required by an operation.

For how to model tooling and reusable technical requirements, read [Tools and characteristics](/en/concepts/manufacturing/tools-and-characteristics).

## Entities

| Concept | Use |
| - | - |
| Area | Groups stations or production areas. |
| Workstation | Place where an operation is executed. |
| Tool | Selectable resource for an operation. |
| Characteristic | Requirement that lets you choose compatible tools. |
| Station capacity type | Defines whether a station limits planning. |

## Stations and processes

A station indicates where work can be executed. A process describes the type of work and has its own concept page in [Processes](/en/concepts/manufacturing/processes).

Example: the **Cutting** process can run at the **Saw 1** and **Saw 2** stations.

## Tools and characteristics

When advanced planning is enabled, use characteristics when an operation requires a technical condition. Tools meeting that characteristic can be selected during planning or execution.

| Requirement | Model |
| - | - |
| Any operator can use a station | Station with no required tool. |
| The operation needs specific tooling | Tool with a characteristic. |
| The difference is only a note | Step or instruction, not a resource. |

## Capacity

Finite or infinite capacity is configured on stations. A finite station can handle only one operation at a time; an infinite station does not block other operations in the same time slot.

Tools are treated as finite resources. Employees enter as limiting resources only when you enable that option in the production plan.

Capacity is interpreted alongside manufacturing working hours, compatible processes and expected duration. If any of those data are missing, sequencing can propose incomplete dates or incorrect resources.

## Relationship with locations

A station can relate to shop floor locations if you need to consume or produce material near the resource.

This is useful when stock physically moves to a line, cell or work area before execution.

## Related

* [Operations and restrictions](/en/concepts/manufacturing/operations-and-restrictions)
* [Processes](/en/concepts/manufacturing/processes)
* [Tools and characteristics](/en/concepts/manufacturing/tools-and-characteristics)
* [Assignments and operation groups](/en/concepts/manufacturing/assignments-and-operation-groups)
* [Manufacturing working hours](/en/concepts/manufacturing/manufacturing-working-hours)
* [Sequencing](/en/concepts/manufacturing/sequencing)
* [Locations](/en/concepts/warehouse/locations)
* [Prepare workstations and machines](/en/guides/manufacturing/prepare-work-centers-and-machines)


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