In every scheduling scenario the scheduler encounters, there are multiple decision points that must be made in order to meet and achieve company objectives. Understanding the potential outcome of these decision points can seem obvious on a small scale. However, as the number of variables increase (such as increased number of orders, operations, limitations etc), the complexity of how each variable interacts with other variables is amplified.

Using an Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software package can help manage the outcome of combining these variables. In the ideal world, the APS system produces an accurate schedule, everyone follows it, and there are no delays of any kind to mitigate. Reality is a different story. Standards may not be entirely accurate, the wrong material may be in inventory, employees may not show up for work, management objectives or direction may change, and customer satisfaction may drive decisions otherwise deemed unnecessary.

Managing Exceptions

The exceptions which have been identified, each need to be managed effectively, but left unchecked can create chaos on the manufacturing floor. One method that Planet Together (the premier advanced planning and scheduling solution) uses to manage exceptions is a functionality called lock and anchor. The objective of lock and anchor is to allow the user to manually control where and when a specific operation is running and still allow the software to schedule everything else. For example, in a machining job shop environment, where the product is high mix low volume, the scheduler may choose to manually lock certain operations based on bottlenecks, but allow Planet Together to schedule all of the remaining operations based on predetermined criteria.

Planet Together has the ability to lock an operation to a specific resource. Enabling this function will not allow that operation to move to another resource. The software will move it forward or backward on the timeline based on how it lines up with other jobs, but it will not move it from that resource. Anchoring is another feature that is used by the scheduler to manually control when an operation is run. When Anchoring is selected, the operation is constrained to a specific time. The software may move the operation to other qualifying resources, but it will keep it at the same time in the timeline. At times, it may be necessary to use both lock and anchor functions. In this scenario, an operation can be locked to a specific resource at a specific time. Planet Together will schedule other operations around the locked and anchored operation.

Locking and anchoring are useful tools for mitigating the exceptions. The number of exceptions and manual interventions often depends on company objectives, data integrity and available resources. If you would like to learn more about how useful Planet Together would be in your environment, contact Scheduling Solutions. Our experience and expertise can help guide you to a solution that provides your schedulers with the tools they need.

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, in order 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/