Infor has announced key, retail-specific enhancements to Infor HCM Workforce Management, formerly named Workbrain.
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.
Infor HCM Workforce Management simplifies labour forecasting and scheduling for retailers
Feb 18, 2008
Quantum EDS becomes UKs sole distributor for unique e-collaborative toolset
Feb 12, 2008
Engineering design company, Quantum EDS has signed an exclusive agreement with Adeon Technologies BV to distribute its project content management and e-collaboration system, CXInsight
Epicor Enterprise helps Costa Coffee
Feb 11, 2008
Re-engineering of business processes to manage strong growth expectations
Masternaut Three X go greener with 360 Scheduling in $2 million licensing deal
Feb 05, 2008
Mobile technology solutions provider Masternaut Three X has signed a long-term agreement with 360 Scheduling to integrate 360's Dynamic Scheduling Engine.
Reynolds Catering Supplies selects Paragon Software in response to customer demand
Jan 22, 2008
Reynolds Catering Supplies has selected Paragons routing, scheduling and transport optimisation software to streamline distribution planning
Demand Management awarded Food Logistics Top 100
Jan 21, 2008
Demand Solutions recognised as a top technology provider for the food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industries
Uplanit enters DBO's orbit
Jan 21, 2008
Rotherham software specialist, IMS, has forged links with DBO Services, to offer manufacturing companies a complete stock control and scheduling solution.
Roquette installs OMP Planner, worldwide
Dec 18, 2007
Roquette has chosen to integrate OM Partners planning module OMP Planner in its information system
KN Drinks Logistics rolls out Paragon software enhancements for its UK distribution planning operations
Dec 06, 2007
Following a major pilot in three regional distribution centres, KN Drinks Logistics has started a national roll-out of Paragons enhanced routing and scheduling optimisation solution
Broner latest release improves customer service
Nov 28, 2007
Broner Metals Solutions has released new versions of its Planning and Scheduling solutions that enable metal producers to achieve significant improvements in customer service.
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.
