I was recently with a customer, reviewing processes and methodologies.  As I spoke with the planner / scheduler, it was clear to me that this individual had a very good understanding of the company’s product, manufacturing processes. It was also clear he understood the customer’s order patterns and expectations. This individual was well versed in how the company’s ERP system worked as well as opportunities for improvement.  Without a doubt, the planner/scheduler was a very important asset for this company. 

Helmsman

This reminds me of a picture where a man is steering an old ship, through rough and rocky waters.  At the helm of a boat is the steering wheel that is connected to the rudder.  Although the rudder is relatively small in relation to the rest of the boat, it controls where the boat goes.  The helmsman stands at the helm and turns the steering wheel as necessary to keep the boat traveling in the proper direction.  Although the helmsman is not the captain, it is his job to ensure the boat gets from point A to point B.  When the seas are smooth, the helmsman has a relatively simple job – keep the craft moving in the correct direction.  When the seas are rough, the helmsman’s job is significantly more complex.  Waves, wind, lightening, and gravity all combine to deter the vessel from reaching its destination.  During rough seas, an experienced helmsman is critical to the success of reaching the destination in a timely manner. He knows where to keep the bow pointed to not take on water. He also knows how to approach large crashing waves to ensure the safety of the crew. His role is critical in successfully executing the purpose of the voyage.

Planners and Schedulers

In many ways, the helmsman of the boat reminds me of the scheduler in most manufacturing facilities.  The scheduler, under the direction of company leadership, is responsible for coordinating the events, processes and functions that drive the results necessary to meet customer demands.  Situations are always changing in a manufacturing environment and how each department reacts to those changes affects what the scheduler must do to minimize late shipments and maximize efficiencies.  This parallels the helmsman in rough waters.

There are many ways schedulers produce schedules.  The fallback method is to use excel, which works to an extent, but is very cumbersome and difficult to manage.  When using excel for scheduling, data integrity can easily be compromised, which compounds the already slow scheduling process.  Other methods for scheduling include a hybrid of using data from an ERP/MRP system in sink with Excel. 

One of the challenges associated with either of these methods is how quickly new information can render a newly created schedule obsolete.  With new information, the scheduler / planner must then go back to the drawing board which is a time-consuming process.  In addition to this dynamic, using these manual scheduling processes, it is very difficult for the scheduler to know the domino affect of how a simple decision to manufacture an item today vs in a week will have on the entire schedule on time delivery.

APS Systems

Just as the ship from 200 years ago has been revolutionized with modern technology, our ability to schedule and plan effectively has also gone through significant improvements within the last 20 years. Technology now known as Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software has been created to enhance the schedulers’ ability to know at a granular level what the operation of a job is doing, while at the same time can see at a macro level the entire plant.  With APS software, the scheduler can understand the impact of how sequence decisions effect both the short and long-term delivery expectations.

In general, APS software systems use similar planning and processing principles, however there are important questions to ask when reviewing an APS software package.  Is the software customizable to fit your needs?  Does the software give the planner the flexibility necessary to plan effectively?  Does the software add value to more users than just the planner/scheduler?  Will there be product support after the software has been implemented? 

Planet Together

One of the leading APS systems in the market today is a system called Planet Together 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.

Planet Together, can be a key player in helping you grow and improve by providing the information you need to help navigate your business.  Planet Together utilizes the information available, whether from an ERP system or from spreadsheets, then schedules it is using predefined rules and algorithms.  The schedule is then presented in a graphical display that allows the user to see where jobs are at, to see early, on-time and late orders, material shortages, labor calendars, and what if scenarios.  The software also calculates metrics based on desired KPI’s.

Scheduling Solutions

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.

As technologies have improved, the role of the helmsman remains a vital part of navigating the seas. Planning and scheduling will continue to be a critical role for manufacturers around the world.  The improved technology of planning and scheduling will make the difference in getting ahead of the competition and delivering product on-time, every time.

About Us

LIS 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@schedulingsolutions.net

Website: https://schedulingsolutions.net/