Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS)

An Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) system is a software solution designed to plan, schedule, and control processes in industrial production and logistics. By providing a realistic representation of the entire Value-Added Chain, from raw material suppliers to end consumers, it offers solutions to the challenges in a company’s strategic and operational planning and scheduling.

APS systems take a variety of factors into account such as available resources, production constraints, material availability, and demand Forecast to create extremely efficient and effective production schedules. APS systems can be used as standalone software applications or in conjunction with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Manufacturing Execution System (MES), incorporating all available information into the scheduling process. Various forecasting functions and simulation models are used to visualize and analyze different scheduling horizons for various application levels. Depending on requirements and constraints, APS systems can simulate alternative scheduling scenarios to determine the best schedule variant.

APS systems can perform a range of functions, including:

• Production run scheduling: APS systems can schedule production runs, considering factors such as machine capacity, labor availability, and material availability.
• Optimization of production sequences: APS systems can optimize the order in which products are manufactured to minimize Setup Times and improve overall efficiency.
• Inventory management: APS systems can assist manufacturers in managing inventory levels, ensuring they have the necessary materials and components to meet production schedules.
• Near real-time updates: APS systems can provide near real-time updates on production progress, allowing manufacturers to quickly adjust production schedules as needed.

Powerful APS systems ensure smooth operations and lean production, avoiding bottlenecks, minimizing Lead Times, optimizing inventory, and enhancing on-time delivery. Users of APS systems benefit from reduced manufacturing costs, improved quality, and faster Time to Market (TTM), among other advantages.