Specialist planning & scheduling software company, Preactor International, has won its fourth Hottest Company award in a row
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.
HellermannTyton signs TXT e-solutions
May 29, 2008
HellermannTyton has selected TXTMake from the global supply chain management vendor TXT e-solutions in order to heighten production efficiency in its supply network
Gaylord Entertainment implements RedPrairie solutions
May 15, 2008
RedPrairie Corporation has announced that hospitality and entertainment company, Gaylord Entertainment, has implemented RedPrairies Workforce Management and Performance Management solutions
K3 delivers Financial Health software to the SMB market
May 13, 2008
K3 Business Technology Group has released a Financial Ratio Analysis module for use with SYSPRO General Ledger software
The Carphone Warehouse to implement RedPrairie's Task Management to increase profit margins
May 07, 2008
RedPrairie Corporation has announced that The Carphone Warehouse is implementing RedPrairie's Task Management application to gain a single, chain-wide window into all aspects of store operations, including marketing, merchandising and promotions
Broner to supply Production Planning & Scheduling solution to Tiantie steelworks in China
Apr 29, 2008
Broner Metals Solutions is to supply its Production Planning and Scheduling solution to Tianjin Tiantie Metallurgical Group for their major project in Chinas Hebei province
Another pharmaceuticals manufacturer selects Epicor ERP
Apr 29, 2008
Tecnofarma, based in Mexico,chooses Epicor Enterprise Resource Planning solution
Eastman choose OM Partners for planning and scheduling its supply chain
Apr 15, 2008
Eastman Chemical Company has selected the OMP Plus and OMP Designer software to improve supply chain operations in its worldwide locations
Agent Provocateur uncovers business benefits with K3
Mar 19, 2008
Agent Provocateur, the exclusive UK luxury lingerie retailer has selected K3 to supply a new IT system to improve its product life cycle management
Catalyst launches drag-and-drop scheduling solution
Mar 12, 2008
Catalyst has announced the worldwide launch of a drag-and-drop scheduling solution for the SAP Yard Management System
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.
