When scheduling operations in manufacturing, there comes a point where it is preferable to avoid making last minute disruptions to the schedule unless there is a problem such as a machine breaking down or a need to rush a crucial order. Having too much volatility in the schedule in the short-term is inefficient as it can create confusion, nervousness, and errors on the shop floor.
PlanetTogether's Locking and Anchoring Features
PlanetTogether's Locking & Anchoring features are manual scheduling tools that allow activities to remain scheduled at a specific time and/or on a particular resource when an optimization of the schedule is performed. These tools can help add stability to the schedule in the short term to avoid inefficiencies in production and minimize errors.
Locking
This command allows activities to be locked to their currently scheduled resource. This is useful when you want to prevent an activity from moving to another eligible resource during an optimize. When the schedule is optimized, the activity blocks can move to different times but will remain on the same resource. This can be used when certain activities should be performed by specific machines or personnel.
Anchoring
This command allows activities to be anchored to their currently scheduled time. It is important to note that anchored activities are able to move to other eligible resources during an optimize unless the activity block is also locked. This is especially useful when you have activities that must be performed at certain times but the resource used is not as important.
Life will be easier for any manufacturer who chooses PlanetTogether. It's an efficient scheduler, plain and simple.
It is possible to use both features simultaneously; however, this will increase the chance that activities will drift in time away from their target scheduled time. When drifting occurs, PlanetTogether's software will try to schedule the activity block to its target time with each optimization of the schedule.
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!
Related Capacity Planning Video
Topics: Factory Scheduling, planner, operations planning, production scheduling, stability
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