If you are considering investing in an Advanced Planning and Scheduling system (APS), you are on the road of improvement in operational efficiency, enhanced communication, and improved customer service. APS systems allow planners and schedulers to quickly determine the best sequence of operations per resource, drives communication between the shop floor, schedulers, and management. It also provides forward looking information that allows suppliers to service their customers better.
The usefulness of an advanced planning and scheduling system cannot be overstated. When used appropriately, it will add value to the organization, often paying for itself in a relatively short period of time. There are several factors that will increase the value of an APS system to an organization. These factors are data accuracy, system usage, and organizational commitment.
Data Accuracy
To maximize the usefulness of an APS system, the data going into it needs to accurately reflect the processes and the duration of each process. APS systems process information based on algorithms and logic. (Consultants can be used to help bridge the gap between providing the necessary data format for the APS system and ensuring the functionality meets the user’s needs.) If the data associated with processes, routers, BoM’s, setup and run rates are accurately maintained, an APS system will produce answers quickly. The better the data going into the APS system, the better the results.
Using an APS System
Once an APS system has been properly setup and installed, it is imperative to use it and learn how to make it work in your environment. Often this will require some time and adjustments as everyone gets used to the new normal. With time, users will know what outputs can be trusted consistently and the outputs that may need to be reviewed and improved. The process of effectively implementing an APS system takes time, but the results are worth it.
Organizational Commitment
To make an APS system truly effective, there needs to be organizational commitment. Commitment to an APS system comes from educating and demonstrating its effectiveness in solving real, everyday issues. Management can support an APS system by ensuring schedule adherence and addressing issues that reduce the system’s accuracy. Planners and Schedulers support an APS system by utilizing its functionality and identifying and solving problems proactively. Shop floor personal can support an APS system by ensuring accuracy of routers and clocking’s.
Planet Together
The decision to use an APS system can change the trajectory of your business. For this reason, we recommend using an APS system called Planet Together. Planet Together is one of the leading APS systems on the market today with clients all over the world. Those clients include midsized and fortune 500 companies. Planet Together has been used in diverse industries such as food and beverage, electronics, automotive medical, pharmaceutical, chemical and many others. Scheduling Solutions has partnered with Planet Together to assist companies implement the Planet Together solution. Scheduling Solutions adds value by getting your data to work within the Planet Together framework and by providing the training and coaching required to successfully implement Planet Together.
In today’s competitive environment, the need to be as efficient as possible, respond to customers ever changing needs and provide on-time deliveries is critical to the success of every business. Advanced Planning and Scheduling systems are a key component in maintaining a competitive edge by improving production efficiencies, increasing visibility and improving customer service. If you would like to know more about APS systems, please contact us.
About Us
Scheduling Solutions is uniquely positioned to bring you the finest APS technology with the most experienced APS implementation team in North America.
Most manufacturers recognize that, to compete in today’s fast changing world, they need an APS solution that addresses their unique needs. They also recognize that most APS solutions on the market do not work, cannot work, and will never work.
APS is all we do, and our team can proudly claim that we have implemented successful APS solutions in over 150 manufacturing sites in North America.
Contact Us
Head Office – 5454 Lena Road, Suite 105 Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
Phone: 941-259-4434
Email: info@lsi-scheduling.com