Advanced Planning and Scheduling FAQ

What is Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS)?

Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) bridges the gap between Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems with infinite time horizons and real-time production systems with finite capacity. APS considers the "3M resources" - Men, Machines, and Materials - and synchronizes them for optimal production scheduling. It creates a dynamic, adaptable plan that optimizes work orders while acknowledging real-world limitations and unexpected events.

How does APS differ from traditional MRP systems?

Traditional MRP systems primarily focus on machine and material resources. APS goes further by incorporating and synchronizing the crucial human resource element, creating a comprehensive planning approach.

What are the key features of PlanetTogether, an APS system?

PlanetTogether offers:

• Resource planning and synchronization: Plans and coordinates the 3M resources, ensuring alignment and optimal utilization.
• Easy-to-use interface: Uses a simple, intuitive drag-and-drop interface for creating and adjusting schedules.
• Real-time optimization: Uses algorithms and KPIs to optimize schedules based on real-time events like machine downtime or material shortages.
• Scenario planning: Allows users to create and compare multiple "what-if" scenarios to find the most advantageous plan.
• Bottleneck identification and mitigation: Identifies bottlenecks by analyzing constraints and plans around them to avoid production disruptions.
• Multi-plant production support: Enables coordinated scheduling across multiple production facilities.

What are the benefits of using an APS system?

Key benefits of an APS system include:

• Reduced costs: Improved resource utilization and reduced waste lead to cost savings.
• Increased productivity: Optimized scheduling and real-time adjustments improve production efficiency.
• Improved delivery performance: Meeting deadlines and fulfilling customer orders on time.
• Enhanced decision-making: Data-driven insights facilitate better, more informed decisions.

How does PlanetTogether handle unexpected events like rush orders?

PlanetTogether avoids prioritizing one customer at the expense of others. It uses a weighted factor system to optimize the schedule based on various operational, delivery, productivity, and financial aspects. This ensures fairness and considers the overall impact of any adjustments.

In what industries can PlanetTogether be used?

PlanetTogether can be applied to virtually any industry that involves planning and scheduling resources. It is widely used in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, packaging, and other sectors.

How do I implement PlanetTogether and how long does it take?

A typical implementation involves:

1. Constraint mapping: Identify and map all resource constraints.
2. System installation and testing: Configure and test the system in a pilot environment.
3. User training: Educate planners on how to effectively use the system.
4. Go-live: Transition to a live production environment.

The entire process generally takes some months to ensure proper system integration, training, and optimization.

?Advanced Planning and Scheduling will lead you to:

? Grow sales with quicker production lead-times.

? Cut inventory by aligning manufacturing with demand.

? Reduce unit costs with more efficient production runs.

? Improve decisions with capacity visibility & scenarios and Analytics

Topics: Advanced Planning and Scheduling, manufacturing, PlanetTogether, Implementation, APS, scheduling, APS benefits, technology, strategies

PlanetTogether Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) Software

Advanced Planning and Scheduling Softwares have become a must for modern-day manufacturing operations as customer demand for increased product assortment, fast delivery, and downward cost pressures become prevalent. These systems help planners save time while providing greater agility in updating ever-changing priorities, production schedules, and inventory plans. APS Systems can be quickly integrated with an ERP/MRP software to fill the gaps where these systems lack planning and scheduling flexibility, accuracy, and efficiency.

With PlanetTogether APS you can:

• Create optimized schedules that balance production efficiency and delivery performance
• Maximize throughput on bottleneck resources to increase revenue
• Synchronize supply with demand to reduce inventories
• Provide company-wide visibility to resource capacity
• Enable scenario data-driven decision making

The implementation of an Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) Software will take your manufacturing operations to the next level of production efficiency by taking advantage of the operational data you already possess in your ERP system. APS is a step in the right direction of efficiency and lean manufacturing production enhancement. Try out a free trial or demo!

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