Frequently Asked Questions: Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) and PlanetTogether APS  

Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) is software that helps manufacturers create realistic production schedules around real constraints such as machine capacity, labor availability, material availability, setup times, changeovers, and due dates. APS helps planners move beyond static schedules and spreadsheet-based planning by showing what can actually run, when it can run, and which resources are needed. 

PlanetTogether APS is advanced planning and scheduling software for manufacturers that need to build feasible production schedules around capacity, materials, labor, routings, setup times, changeovers, and due dates. It helps planners model constraints, compare what-if scenarios, and update schedules when production conditions change. 

 Master production scheduling defines what finished goods need to be produced, in what quantities, and when. APS supports master scheduling by turning high-level demand and production targets into detailed schedules that account for real constraints such as capacity, materials, labor, routings, and changeovers. 

MRP calculates material requirements and planned order releases based on demand, inventory, and lead times. APS goes further by checking whether work can actually run within available machine capacity, labor, materials, tooling, routings, and sequencing rules. In short, MRP helps plan materials; APS helps create a feasible production schedule.

Yes. PlanetTogether APS can connect with MES systems directly or through ERP and integration tools. MES data can provide production status, completions, downtime, actual progress, and shop-floor events so planners can keep schedules aligned with current manufacturing conditions. 

PlanetTogether APS can integrate bi-directionally with ERP systems. It can receive planning data such as orders, forecasts, inventory, routings, item masters, and due dates, then send back updated schedules, planned start and finish dates, resource assignments, and schedule changes. The exact integration approach depends on the ERP environment and data flow requirements.  

Yes. PlanetTogether APS can use labor availability, shift patterns, skills, and crew constraints from labor or workforce scheduling systems. This helps planners align production schedules with available people, not just available machines. For teams using Shiftboard, labor data can be connected to support more accurate labor-aware scheduling.

PlanetTogether identifies the most constrained resource in your process and sequences orders to maximize throughput at that point. This ensures the slowest step is always fed.  

PlanetTogether ingests live data from ERP, MES, Shiftboard and other systems, identifies emerging conflicts or delays as they occur, and provides planners with alerts and rescheduling tools so they can update schedules based on the most current information.  

PlanetTogether offers multiple implementation paths depending on scope, data readiness, and integration requirements. SureStart is a focused rollout option designed to help teams launch a defined scheduling workflow in about 45 days. Standard implementations typically run 4–6 months and may include blueprinting, configuration, ERP integration, training, user acceptance testing, go-live cutover, and hypercare support.

PlanetTogether provides implementation support, configuration guidance, user training, and ongoing support to help planning teams adopt APS successfully. Support may include onsite consulting, virtual training, workflow review, and post-go-live assistance depending on the implementation scope.   

PlanetTogether APS is built on top of Azure Data Cloud as part of our enterprise-grade infrastructure, ensuring high availability and scalability. We maintain SOC 2 compliance, employ encryption in transit and at rest, enforce role-based access controls, and conduct regular security audits to safeguard your data.  

APS can help manufacturers build more realistic schedules, reduce manual scheduling work, improve visibility into capacity and material constraints, respond faster to production changes, and protect on-time delivery commitments. Results depend on planning complexity, data quality, integration scope, and adoption.

PlanetTogether APS supports batch, discrete, and process manufacturers, including Food & Beverage, Life Sciences, Chemical, High-Tech, Metal Fabrication, Industrial Machinery, Printing & Packaging, and other complex manufacturing environments. 

To get started, request an APS demo or readiness review. The PlanetTogether team can help evaluate your scheduling challenges, current systems, data readiness, integration needs, and potential business impact.