Integrating APS - ERP Systems Alone Are NOT Enough

In one of our older posts, we told you a little bit about why an APS and an ERP system are the perfect pair. But some of you may still be wondering why an ERP can’t run an entire manufacturing company on its own. After all, many ERPs come with an integrated planning and scheduling function. So what’s the big deal? 

If you’re already an ERP user, you know that the type of planning and scheduling that an ERP offers just isn’t robust enough. Quite simply, APS systems offer more in-depth, accurate, and easy to use planning and scheduling solutions than an ERP could ever offer. 

ERPs are meant to sustain businesses of all shapes and sizes. The variety of functions that an ERP offers is great for general purposes, but when it comes to the finer details of planning and scheduling (especially within a manufacturing environment) ERP systems tend to skim only the surface. APS systems make up for those missed details.

Though an APS system can stand alone, it does work better when used in conjunction with an ERP system. The same goes for an ERP with an APS. You can think of APS systems, to some extent, as an extension of an ERP.

Here are some specific functions that APS systems have over ERPs:

Finite scheduling logic

There is an entire scientific methodology behind production planning and scheduling. If you are interested in learning about the specifics of finite scheduling strategy, you can read our recent blog post on the term here.

What-if scenarios planning

An important advantage that companies who use APS systems have over those who only rely on ERP, is that they can easily create scenarios to help make better decisions. Most ERP systems only have “one way” of seeing things. With an APS, you can evaluate the impact of a big order on other commitments or determine the result of adding capacity or cross-training employees. This gives you the ability to make better decisions faster and cheaper.

A graphical, easy-to-understand user interface

When it comes to manufacturing grade planning and scheduling, complexity is the name of the game. APS uses the foresaid finite scheduling logic and channels it into a graphic database, allowing you to see the impact of your planning and scheduling decisions far in advance. This is something that an ERP has only minimal capacity to do.

Comprehensive resource availability models

Finite scheduling runs on comprehensive models of resource requirements and availability. These models could include shift patterns of open hours and head counts, elements of efficiency, and skill set by machine type or labor. Some machines may be able process multiple items at once, which means they also have a capacity limit of weight, volume, width or other dimension. Production planning software accounts for all of these details and more.

Detailed routing capability

Production grade planning and scheduling software typically demands detailed routing information about resource requirements. Elements such as operation sequence, primary and secondary resources, machine-specific processing times, sequence-specific setup time, parallel operations, alternate operations, and material requirements tied to an operation are all items that are frequently overlooked in an ERP.

As we explained previously, APS and ERP systems are simply better together. Production planning software will allow you to iron out the finer details of your production plant’s operations while giving you the mathematical logic, graphical overview, and detailed optimizing capabilities that your business needs to save time, cost, and energy.

If you would like more information on production planning software, check out this article to learn about the ways that an APS system can help your company save money.

Image via MicrotoMainframe.com