Specialist planning and scheduling software company, Preactor International has launched its new entry-level solution, Preactor Express.
Advanced Planning, APS, FCS, S&OP
Among the most popular software planning technologies is Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS). This is a type of software solution that sets out to ensure production capacity and the materials required for manufacture are optimally sourced and allocated to satisfy demand. Other related tools include Finite Capacity Scheduling. This approach sets out to understanding how much production capacity is possible within a specified timeframe. The aim is to manage workflow at an even and efficient pace throughout the production process. Finite scheduling tools differ from infinite capacity scheduling tools in that the latter are in the main more simple and unable to account for system issues/constraints that happen in real time.
Eagle delivers the next generation of field service engineer scheduling
Sep 22, 2010
Exel Computer Systems, the UK based author and developer of the Eagle Field Service Management (FSM) system, has launched it new Assisted Scheduler functionality within Eagle.
Preactor selects Flexera software to increase customer satisfaction
Sep 15, 2010
Flexera Software has announced that planning and scheduling software solutions provider Preactor International has chosen FlexNet Publisher and FlexNet Operations to implement a more customer friendly entitlement management and compliance solution.
Successful Sales and Operations Planning in 5 Steps
Sep 08, 2010
The 5 critical steps and the interaction with each other to create a consensus plan for a company to follow....
Maple Lake launches new QuickAllocation software for optimum retail allocation practices
Sep 02, 2010
While intuition, experience and data analysis are key drivers for a retail merchandising team to decide what products go to what store at the right time and right price, Maple Lake has announced QuickAllocation, software that adds 'decision precision' allocation practices for retailers worldwide.
SEWS selects Inform to future proof demand planning
Aug 10, 2010
Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Components Europe (SEWS-CE) has selected advanced planning technology from Inform to improve operational forecasting and financial budgeting.
Preactor + riteTIME = SFDC + APS in real time
Jul 21, 2010
Specialist planning and scheduling software company, Preactor International, has successfully integrated the riteTIME Touchscreen Shop Floor Data Collection (SFDC) system with its own family of Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) solutions.
Preactor International celebrates successful global partner conference
Jul 14, 2010
Specialist planning and scheduling software company, Preactor International, has held of its most successful global partner conferences yet.
Preactor International opens dedicated North American operation
Jul 07, 2010
Specialist planning and scheduling software company, Preactor International, has formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Preactor North America.
ORTEMS Agile Manufacturing Solution achieves Certified Integration with SAP Supply Chain Management application
Jun 30, 2010
ORTEMS has announced its ORTEMS Agile Manufacturing Solution 7.40 has achieved certified integration with the SAP Supply Chain Management (SAP SCM) application.
Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS).
Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) refers to a manufacturing management process by which raw materials and production capacity are optimally allocated to meet demand. In manufacturing, the purpose of scheduling is to minimize the production time and costs by improving the efficiency of the operation. Scheduling is an important tool for manufacturing as it can have a major impact on the productivity of a process.
APS is especially well-suited to environments where simpler planning methods cannot adequately address complex trade-offs between competing priorities. Traditional planning and scheduling systems utilise a stepwise procedure to allocate material and production capacity. This approach is simple but cumbersome, and does not readily adapt to changes in demand, resource capacity or material availability. Materials and capacity are planned separately, and many systems do not consider limited material availability or capacity constraints. Thus, this approach often results in plans that cannot be executed. Production scheduling tools greatly outperform older manual scheduling methods.
These provide the production scheduler with powerful graphical interfaces which can be used to visually optimize real-time work-loads in various stages of production, and pattern recognition allows the software to automatically create scheduling opportunities which might not be apparent without this view into the data. Companies use backward and forward scheduling to allocate plant and machinery resources, plan human resources, plan production processes and purchase materials. Forward scheduling is planning the tasks from the date resources become available to determine the shipping date or the due date.
Backward scheduling is planning the tasks from the due date or required-by date to determine the start date and/or any changes in capacity required. Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) provides an updated forecast that leads to a sales plan, production plan, inventory plan, customer lead time (backlog) plan, new product development plan, strategic initiative plan and resulting financial plan. Variations in frequency of the plan depend on the type of manufacturing industry. Short product life cycles and high demand volatility require a tighter S&OP planning than steadily consumed products.
A properly implemented S&OP process routinely reviews customer demand and supply resources and “re-plans” quantitatively across an agreed rolling horizon. The re-planning process focuses on changes from the previously agreed sales and operations plan. While it helps the management team to understand how the company achieved its current level of performance, its primary focus is on future actions and anticipated results.
