Advanced Planning and Scheduling Software (APS)

Advanced planning and scheduling software (APS) pertains to dealing with the proper analysis of logistics and manufacturing over short, intermediate, and long-term periods. This is conducted through mathematical algorithms and logic that enhances operational efficiency within a production facility. Advanced planning and scheduling software (APS) creates visual production schedules that enable facilities to locate the most advantageous schedule for their production process.

This is how manufacturing operations are able to boost efficiency and reduce waste within their operation with ease. APS software can be integrated with ERP/MRP software and fills in the gaps where these softwares lack. The strategic functions of APS aid facilities through planning, scheduling, bottleneck visibility, materials distribution, and various others. Before implementing advanced planning and scheduling software (APS), it is important to understand the basic components within the software, as well as the implementation of it as well.

Components of Advanced Planning and Scheduling Software 

The components of advanced planning and scheduling software (APS) include the following:

• Demand Planning - Demand planning pertains to the process in which production is able to rely on accurate forecasts. These forecast are conducted through analysis of a variety of factors such as historical sales data, statistical forecast, importing consumer forecast, managing forecast, and more. Demand planning is an integral component of manufacturing operations that are seeking to produce the accurate amount of production without increasing inventory cost and creating an excess amount of waste.
• Production Planning - Production planning is the process in which a manufacturing operation ensures that raw materials, staff, and other items within the operation are prepared to create finished products according to a specified schedule. A production plan servers as a guide for a company’s production activities and establishes a sequence of activities that must be carried out in order to achieve a production target.
• Production Scheduling - This process pertains to the arrangement, controlling, and optimization of work within a production process. The scheduling builds off of the demand and production plan, which then generates a schedule that production is then able to carry out. The benefits of production scheduling include labor load leveling, reduced scheduling efforts, and more.
• Distribution Planning - Distribution planning is the method that is utilized for planning orders within a supply chain. Distribution planning enables users to be able to set inventory control parameters and calculate time-phased inventory requirements. In order to utilize distribution planning, you need to include the demand for future period, on-hand inventory at the beginning of a period, and the safety stock requirements for a period.
• Transportation Planning - This is the process of defining future policies, goals, investments, and designs to adequately prepare for any future needs to move people and goods to destinations. Transportation planning is a collaborative process that can incorporate input of stakeholders, which includes government agencies, and private/public businesses. This component mainly pertains to evaluation, assessment, design, and siting of any transport facilities. Proper transportation planning can reduce cost dramatically within the supply chain process.

Overall, these components of APS are important to understand before implementing the software. Now, with PlanetTogether’s APS software, there are certain softwares that it can be integrated with.

Implementation of Advanced Planning and Scheduling Software

An outdated belief exist that implementation of an APS system is a time-consuming headache that is simply too expensive - which is entirely untrue. Considering that APS software can easily be integrated and implemented quickly in a cost-friendly manner, your ERP is likely losing you more than the cost of recovery of lost potential. PlanetTogether offers quick and simple integration with various systems such as:

• Microsoft ERP - AX (365 for Operations) / NAV / GP
• SAP - All In One, Business One (Fourth Shift and Production One)
• Infor Fourth Shift
• Elliot BOM
• Elliot SF
• Macola ES

Advanced planning and scheduling software (APS) is offered as an extension of your ERP and when the two softwares operate collectively, production is enhanced dramatically.

Advanced Planning and Scheduling Software

Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software has become a must for modern-day manufacturing operations due to customer demand for increased product mix and fast delivery combined with downward cost pressures. APS can be quickly integrated with a ERP/MRP software to fill gaps where these system lack planning and scheduling flexibility and accuracy. Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) helps planners save time while providing greater agility in updating ever-changing priorities, production schedules, and inventory plans.

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

Implementation of Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software will take your manufacturing operations to the next level of production efficiency, taking advantage of the operational data you already have in your ERP.