Many manufacturers are faced with the challenge of creating realistic and optimized schedules for their production facilities. Using ERP and MRP softwares provide an advantage over spreadsheets for production scheduling, but how do you make your production schedule more detailed and specific? The answer is quite simple: Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software.
What is Advanced Planning and Scheduling?
Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) refers to the management of processes involved in the optimization of raw materials and resource capacity within a production facility. When manufacturing operations are highly complex and have a lot of products competing for the same resources, it can be extremely challenging to create a schedule that optimizes the use of each resource.
APS Systems are a must for manufacturing facilities that are in need of proper analysis of their production over short, intermediate, and long-term periods. This is conducted through mathematical algorithms and logic that enhances the operation efficiency within a production facility.
PlanetTogether APS allows manufacturers to have a visual production schedule that is the most efficient and optimized and meets their needs. The features of PlanetTogether will allow manufacturers to boost their production efficiency and reduce waste within their operations. Before the implementation of an Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) Software, it is essential to understand the benefits of utilizing the software.
With PlanetTogether APS, you input what you need and it immediately displays in detail with no toggling back and forth for individual items. The flexibility is outstanding.
Benefits of Utilizing an Advanced Planning and Scheduling Software
The benefits of utilizing an advanced planning and scheduling software system includes:
- Fast ROI and Increased Long-Term Profits - While the implementation of an Advanced Planning and Scheduling software will incur a cost, it is considered to be relatively low when compared to how quickly manufacturing facilities are able to see results. Utilizing an APS software can lead up to a 20% increase in productivity while reducing up to 50% of raw materials as it allows facilities to synchronize purchasing with an achievable production schedule.
- ERP Enhancement - The right APS software will be able to easily integrate to your current ERP system without causing disruptions to the current process. This will allow the APS system to take the capabilities of your ERP system to the next level. While APS software may seem to have overlapping capabilities with common ERPs, these softwares actually make your processes and schedules more specific and the additional features allow you to optimize production and reduce costs.
- Visibility Enhancement - Having thorough visibility into your manufacturing operation is a must when seeking to enhance efficiency and eliminate bottlenecks. With PlanetTogether’s Gantt Chart and Alerts, you will be able to color-code and set alerts pertaining to your manufacturing and production processes. You will quickly be able to identify what types of products are running, whether you have capacity bottlenecks, and if you have late orders or materials.
- ‘What If’ Analysis - Another feature of PlanetTogether APS is its ability to test ‘What-If’ scenarios. This will make your planner’s job much easier as they will be able to compare and evaluate the pros and cons of various production schedules. They will quickly see the effects of rushing an order on the other scheduled jobs which provides an advantage over ERP systems and allows you to maintain a high level of customer service and reduce costs.
- Leaner Manufacturing - One of the last key benefits of utilizing an APS system such as PlanetTogether is their ability to make your manufacturing operation much leaner. Having a lean operation involves reducing waste within your operations to cut costs and enhance profitability. This is the goal of many manufacturers and an Advanced Planning and Scheduling system is a great choice to help you achieve those goals.
These are just some of the components of Advanced Planning and Scheduling systems that will be beneficial for your manufacturing facility. With PlanetTogether APS, you are able to integrate to your current ERP system. Best of all, PlanetTogether deploys in a rapid three months and pays for itself in six — a hardworking productivity hero on your balance sheet.
We found the PlanetTogether personnel very professional in all respects. We felt they took an efficient approach to all aspects of the project, from the quote to implementation process, allowing us to keep expenses down and gain maximum value for our investment.
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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APS Resources
Topics: manufacturing process, manufacturing resource planning, Advanced Predictive Analytics, APS Solutions, Agile Manufacturing and Flexibility, APS Optimization, Improved Demand Forecasting Accuracy
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