What is Manufacturing Scheduling Software?
Manufacturing scheduling software, also referred to as production scheduling, is built to optimize the use of resources available to manufacturers, including inventory, industrial machinery, heavy equipment, and staffing. Using a scheduling software solution to manage manufacturing operations can improve production efficiency and reduce the waste of materials and time.
Production scheduling software is designed to reduce the production cost and time without diminishing the final product’s quality. Scheduling software is usually integrated with another software system to gather the necessary production data, including equipment management software, enterprise resource planning software (ERP), and manufacturing execution systems (MES).
How Does Manufacturing Scheduling Software Improve Production Planning?
When used correctly, a manufacturing scheduling software system can reduce changeovers and machine downtime while improving resource utilization and throughput. This is achieved using advanced algorithms to identify the best way to manage demand and capacity to create realistic production schedules. Manufacturing scheduling software can quickly notify management when unexpected changes occur with machines or staff, minimizing the impact on production operations.
Production scheduling software can also optimize the order management process with automated workflows and a central hub for order tracking, reducing the risk of errors in order processing.
How Can Manufacturing Scheduling Software Aid in Manufacturing Operations?
Manufacturing scheduling software can support operations in several ways. Let’s review a few of the primary operational processes this software can impact.
Inventory Levels and Supply Chain
Scheduling software supports inventory management with access to real-time inventory data. The system can also be built to send notifications when inventory levels are low, ensuring production isn’t interrupted due to low inventory.
When integrated with enterprise resourcing planning software, production scheduling can also improve supply chain management with centralized functions, including contact management, communication records, and inventory data.
Production Management
A production scheduling system can optimize the production process with the ability to manage all functions through a single platform. Scheduling software allows management to actively monitor order progress and be notified of a delay. This makes it easier to identify where delays are occurring and how they can be resolved.
With a virtual scheduling system, employees can receive their schedules and production calendars online, removing the need to distribute paper schedules. This also makes changes to the production schedule simple, as all pertinent parties can be notified through the software solution.
Resource Management
When companies manage their entire manufacturing process through manufacturing software, they gain access to a large amount of valuable data. Many scheduling software systems include reporting capabilities, allowing manufacturers to benefit from real-time data visualization. With historical and current reports and dashboards, manufacturers can improve resource planning and scheduling to reduce waste and cost.
What are the Benefits of Using Advanced Manufacturing Planning Software in your Business?
After reviewing all the processes scheduling software can impact, let’s review the benefits manufacturers can experience with this software.
Improving the Manufacturing Process
Managing manufacturing processes without a production planning and scheduling software solution can make it difficult to change one process without impacting another. Manufacturers can make well-informed decisions when they can view and manage all processes within one system, including machine utilization, staff schedules, and production calendars.
Allocating Resources Effectively in Production Workflow
Scheduling systems make it significantly simpler for manufacturers to identify how their materials and staff are being used. With reporting capabilities, users can see how their resources are being used in production, making it easier to identify bottlenecks and put processes in place to resolve them.
With access to both staff schedules and a master production schedule, manufacturers can build optimal production schedules based on upcoming orders and staff availability.
Improving Order Management and Customer Demand Response
By integrating ERP systems with production scheduling software, manufacturers can better manage their orders and effectively respond to customer demands. When managing orders in the same system with a production scheduling tool, manufacturers can effectively make adjustments to the production schedule to accommodate any new or updated orders that come in.
This same practice can be applied to the production scheduling process as customers start to request products that were not planned for. This can include adjusting the production schedule, ordering additional materials, and scheduling more staff to accommodate the orders.
How Geneca Can Help
Are you ready to learn more about how manufacturing scheduling software can support your operations? Reach out to Geneca today for a commitment-free consultation! Our team of software developers and business analysts are here to help you gain the most value from a software solution built for your unique needs.