Advanced Planning And Scheduling Module in MAS 500 ERP
How efficient is your manufacturing operation? Must your production managers maintain laborious spreadsheets to plan production? How often are orders late because someone forgot to schedule an operation? The Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) module in Sage ERP MAS 500 is a powerful, yet easy-to-use tool than can increase manufacturing efficiency and make a positive impact on your bottom line.
APS Benefits
With a well-implemented APS module, you will be able to save money by reducing inventory and using your resources more wisely. Your production scheduling personnel will appreciate the ability to create multiple schedule versions to determine optimum efficiency.
Synchronize Supply And Demand
Manufacturing efficiency is maximized when you achieve synchronization between customer demand, material needs, and resource availability. APS helps you accomplish this with the ability to schedule using industry-standard scheduling rules.
Industry-Standard Rules
APS schedules production based on advanced mathematical algorithms. You can choose from the following nine industry-standard rules: Started Operations, Locked Operations, Actual Before Planned, Critical Ratio, Minimum Slack, Priority Code, Required Date, Due Date, and Entry Date.
The minimum slack formula minimizes the time difference between required and scheduled completion date. You can give each work order a priority code manually and schedule via priority number. The master scheduling screen allows you to use multiple rules at the same time. You simply choose which rule the system should use first, then work your way down the list. A typical rules sequence might look like this:
- Started operation
- Locked operation
- Actual before planned
- Due date
- Release date
Flexible Scheduling
Of course, no matter how carefully you plan, new priorities or equipment failures will require schedule adjustments. The APS module gives you flexibility with the drag-and-drop scheduling board, and the ability to maintain multiple schedules and what-if scenarios. The system also allows you to override standard work center, machine, and holiday schedules, so you can schedule overtime if needed.
As the need arises, you can tweak the schedule easily using the graphical scheduling board to accommodate those inevitable situations, such as fitting in high-priority orders or moving operations to a different machine if one breaks down.
A preview window displays late scheduled Work Orders and special messages so managers can stay on top of problems. You even can use the Alerts module to send alert messages to appropriate personnel when production delays occur. The visual schedule also can improve customer service with visibility into the status of customer orders and scheduled completion dates across manufacturing facilities.
Give us a call to discuss how APS can be put to work in your organization.
