Shop Floor Control for Operations Managers

In the past, controlling production was a challenge often presented to many manufacturers. Yes, there would be a plan that production would be trying to follow, but effectively executing that plan was rather difficult. Fortunately, significant improvements in technology have allowed the shop floor to be controlled, pushing the manufacturing operation to its full potential. Shop floor control pertains to the methods, systems, and software that prioritizes, tracks, and reports production orders and schedules. This procedure adequately evaluates production status in various areas such as labor, machine usage, resources, and any other information pertaining to the operation. Within shop floor control, there are key functions and practices that enable shop floor control to be a vital asset to operations managers.

Key Functions and Practices Within Shop Floor Control 

As shop floor is accountable for management activities such as material flow, these functions are what allow the process to be conducted efficiently:

• Order Planning, Confirmation, and Settling
• Capacity Requirements Planning
• Production Process Order Scheduling
• Materials Withdrawal
• Production Order Release

Along with these functions, shop floor also includes identification and assessment of risk to anything from employees to the technology utilized. This is where shop floor control analyzes the shop floor situation and attempts to minimize overall risk within the factory. Then, the shop floor control practices come into play:

• Execution  - One of the most important aspects of shop floor control includes execution. This component enables the operation to effectively execute and release multiple work orders within the shop floor.
• Reliable Information - Shop floor control allows for up-to-minute information based off of material availability. This is a crucial aspect when it comes down to proper inventory management.
• Automation  - Adequately control automation and data collection to further optimize production through machine and human error reduction.
• Proper Revision  - Oversee the management process and identify areas where productivity is lacking. This permits the system to take effect and locate methods to improve the area, properly revising production.

Shop floor control is the most effective through a manufacturing execution system (MES). This software is able to create a production plan while also carrying out and improving the process. MES software is a must for manufacturers that wish to take production to the next level, which can be optimized even further with an advanced planning and scheduling system (APS).

Advanced Planning and Scheduling Software (APS) and Shop Floor Control 

Advanced planning and scheduling software (APS) offers as an extension to modern day ERP and MRP systems. As many manufacturers are realizing that ERP and MRP alone are not enough, APS is becoming an advantageous and viable option. APS offers various capabilities such as the following:

• What if Scenarios
• Finite Capacity Scheduling
• Smart Drag and Drop
• Multi-Plant Scheduling  

Quickly turn your shop floor into a gold mine by implementing advanced planning and scheduling software. For more information on our features, click here!