Trade studies help us ensure that a proposed solution best meets conflicting performance and cost requirements. But many of us dont know that you can analytically and objectively conduct your trade studies well before you engineer anything.
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.
Euroclad Weathers The Storm Of Growth With Preactor
Jun 10, 2010
Expected benefits include improved planning visibility and a reduction in production time and costs
Levi Strauss & Co engages Maple Lake for global retail planning technology
Jun 09, 2010
Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) has signed global agreements with planning specialist provider Maple Lake to implement a standardised merchandise and assortment planning application across its global retail operations.
Preactor International Unveils Next Generation APS Solution
Jun 01, 2010
Preactor International, has announced the launch of Preactor 11, the latest version of its award winning APS solution.
TXT e-solutions pulls ahead and rates Positive in MarketScope Report
May 31, 2010
TXT e-solutions TXTPERFORM2008 Supply Chain Management suite received a "Positive" rating in Gartner's "MarketScope for Sales & Operations Planning, 2009."
Q-Max ranked 'most widely installed Workforce Management Software in the UK'
May 25, 2010
Q-Max Systems is the most widely installed workforce management solution in UK organisations, according to a recent survey conducted by the Professional Planning Forum.
Qualiac announces a partnership with Preactor to supplement its dedicated Process Industry ERP solution
May 24, 2010
Qualiacs ERP solution for medium sized companies and large corporations now adds the benefit Preactors production planning and scheduling system.
An integrated approach to requirements and quality management
May 24, 2010
This white paper outlines the many benefits of an integrated approach to requirements and quality management, as well as offer best practices for effective requirements-driven testing.
BEC (Systems Integration) Ltd implement the excellent BEC eSmart:datacapture system to Polyflor - eliminating data re-entry completely!
Apr 28, 2010
Polyflor are one of the first to use the excellent BEC eSmart data capture system to eliminate data re-entry completely. The system has also improved order pick accuracy close to 99.95%!
Is there light at the end of the tunnel?
Apr 21, 2010
Cathy Humphreys explains why effective management of inventory is essential when coming out of a recession and the most common pitfalls to be aware of.
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.
