Manufacturing Scheduling & Planning Software Advantages | PlanetTogether

Manufacturing scheduling and planning software has become essential for manufacturing operations that wish to take their production to the next level. Manufacturing scheduling and planning software go beyond production scheduling and utilizes a flexible system that can easily establish a plan for production while accounting for any unexpected mishaps.

This software is able to benefit your operation through accurate planning, reduced cycle times, minimized cost, and various others. Before implementing manufacturing scheduling and planning software, it is essential to develop an understanding of the features that are associated with it.

Features of Manufacturing Scheduling and Planning Software

Some of the features of manufacturing scheduling and planning software include the following:

• Capable to Promise - This features includes a “what-if” capability that encompasses the production process as a whole to determine what required materials, parts, time, and other factors of production are available at the given time.
• Forecasting and Planning - The forecasting and planning features enables integration with order entry and sales while also collaborating with real-time data to ensure for accurate purchasing.
• Master Production Scheduling (MPS)  - Master production scheduling locates ways to efficiently manage production time while also cutting cost within the process. This is because the software converts real-time data to the production plan, ultimately enabling a much more steady production flow.
• Materials Requirements and Resource Planning (MRP) - Materials requirements and resource planning has become a key function for manufacturing operations. This feature manages the flow of resources and raw materials to meet demand while also maintaining inventory levels.
• Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) - One of the most popular and advantageous features, advanced planning and scheduling software executes a plan while allowing for real-time adjustments to account for unplanned events.

Advanced planning and scheduling software (APS) has become quite popular for manufacturing operations that wish to improve overall production efficiency. As manufacturers are looking for the most capable software, PlanetTogether’s Advanced Planning and Scheduling software (APS) has become a top choice.

Advanced Planning and Scheduling Software 

PlanetTogether’s advanced planning and scheduling software offers various benefits and capabilities that can offer thorough insight into your operation. Since ERP and MRP lack the features needed for more specific operation, APS offers as an extension of these systems and accounts for what these systems lack. Some of the features of advanced planning and scheduling software include the following:

• Smart Drag-and-Drop
• Capacity Planning
• Finite Capacity Scheduling
• Inventory Planning

Quickly turn your manufacturing operation into a gold mine through implementing advanced planning and scheduling software. For more information on the benefits of APS, click here!

Using What-If Scenarios to Compare Manufacturing Schedules

See how what-if scenario planning helps you compare manufacturing schedules before committing to a plan. In this video, we show how advanced planning and scheduling (APS) software lets planners create multiple what-if scenarios, adjust capacity and priorities, and instantly see the impact on delivery dates, bottlenecks, and inventory. It’s an ideal next step if you’re evaluating manufacturing scheduling and planning software to move beyond static ERP/MRP plans and spreadsheets.

ERP and MRP Are the Foundation—APS Unlocks the Real Scheduling Advantage

In this article, you’ve seen how manufacturing scheduling and planning software goes beyond basic production scheduling—adding capable-to-promise with what-if analysis, better forecasting, master production scheduling, materials and resource planning, and Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) to improve efficiency and responsiveness.

ERP and MRP are essential, but they were never designed to handle detailed capacity planning, constraint-based scheduling, and fast what-if scenarios across your entire operation. That’s where APS comes in.

Our white paper, “Why ERP Alone Is Not the Answer,” explains exactly where ERP and MRP stop, and how APS fills the gap. It shows how layering APS on top of your existing systems helps you make smarter decisions about capacity, lead times, and order promises—without replacing the ERP you already rely on.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to:

• Move from tribal knowledge and static plans to data-driven capacity decisions
• Quote and keep realistic delivery dates instead of padding lead times or expediting at the last minute
• Minimize labor and inventory costs while maintaining high service levels
• Build optimized production schedules that reflect real-world constraints: machines, labor, changeovers, and maintenance
• Use ERP + APS together as a complete planning and scheduling environment that supports growth and continuous improvement

If you’re evaluating manufacturing scheduling and planning software as the next step beyond ERP/MRP, this white paper will help you clarify why APS matters, and how to position it in your overall systems strategy.