Managing production is a fundamental aspect for every manufacturing company, because it is precisely in this phase, the production phase, that the main process of every manufacturing company takes place. So which are the best software to manage this process?
What is production management?
Let’s start by defining what is meant by production management. Production management refers to the decision-making process through which production resources are organized in order to achieve certain objectives. It is divided, also at a temporal level, into the following three phases:
- Planning
- Programming
- Control
Scheduling production with Excel
Most companies use Excel as their analytical software to plan their production and consequently to make important strategic decisions. Although Excel is a very useful and versatile software, which makes it easy to create sets of data and calculations and which allows infinite customization of your files, relying solely on this solution hides pitfalls.
The main risk is that files can become overly complicated and articulated in numerous cells and folders, and this brings with it a number of repercussions on day-to-day operations. Often such complex files can only be understood by those who created them, affecting communication and collaboration between departments. Also, if each department has its own file, it becomes difficult to merge the information to get an overview.
The more data an Excel file contains, the more difficult it will be to make small changes or variations, even the simplest. Editing the file becomes laborious and can result in many hours of work, without the certainty that the final result is error-free.
Given these first elements, it is already quite evident how much less efficient production planning on Excel is than using specific software. Add to this the fact that using Excel makes it difficult, if not impossible, to make accurate forecasts.
In conclusion, Excel is a tool with great potential, but it is certainly not the right tool for planning production in a company that operates in a modern and dynamic context like the current one.
What are the softwares for production scheduling
The most well-known software for production management is the so-called management software ERP (which stands for Enterprise Resource Planning). This type of software, as the name implies, is used to plan the company’s resources and integrate the relevant business processes of a company (sales, purchases, warehouse management, accounting, etc.).
Over the years, these software solutions have been supported by specific departmental software that are able to significantly increase the effectiveness of the related areas of expertise.
Thus the APS or Advanced Planning and Scheduling software have replaced the production planning and scheduling operations, giving greater view on the Supply Chain, simulation and forecasting capacity, finite capacity reasoning and more.
In recent years, DDMRP solutions have also been added, i.e. Demand Driven Material Requirements Planning, useful for industrial companies to plan the supply of materials in a modern and advanced way with the use of techniques that allow to reduce waste, excesses and forecast errors.
Who uses software for production management
Typically the people who need the information provided by such software are roles that involve making decisions and supervising the Supply Chain and directing the production department.
The people who deal with production management are the Supply Chain Manager, the Logistics Manager, the Production Manager, the Planning Manager, the Plant Manager.
Which companies use production management software
Production management characterizes manufacturing companies; among these the most ambitious adopt advanced solutions that allow in-depth and updated analysis: the APS.
Cybertec’s great experience has allowed us to collect numerous Success Cases for companies in various sectors.
Among these are some who have benefited from Advanced Planning and Scheduling software for several years, and others who have adopted the solution more recently.
Discover all the “Success Cases” created together with leading companies in their sector, by clicking here.
The benefits of a production planning software
The adoption of an APS software brings with it a series of advantages that have positive impact on the whole company, starting from a better production management capacity and greater competitiveness. By aligning and favouring a strategic collaboration relationship between sales activities and production capacity, the company can benefit from a better organization that allows more regular and punctual deliveries, together with better communication with suppliers for the procurement of raw materials.
The smooth flow of all manufacturing processes leads to less waste of resources and significant savings in terms of inventory and manufacturing costs, which, on the other hand, increase profits and efficiency.
In general, it can be summed up that an APS improves the accuracy of forecasts and maximizes the level of service thanks to an advanced production planning and scheduling solution that uses finite capacity logics and detailed scheduling.
CyberPlan, production planning and scheduling software
Cybertec’s APS, CyberPlan, presents itself as the best tool to manage production thanks to the most modern technologies used and 30 years of experience at the service of Italian and foreign supply chains. Companies that use CyberPlan to manage the production department, replacing numerous Excel sheets, have found numerous advantages in a short time:
- Increase of the service level up to 33%;
- Stock reduction up to 50%;
- Productivity increase up to 10%;
- ROI within the year.
These benefits are made possible by the strong investments in R&D as well as the close collaboration with hundreds of Italian and foreign companies, from small businesses to large multinationals. This commitment has allowed Cybertec to create complete, powerful and simple solutions that are used effectively all over the world.
Do you have the best tool to schedule your production?
Most manufacturing companies do not have adequate solutions to support production planning processes, from sales forecasting to detailed scheduling.
Processes that require computing power to optimize the plan and generate rapid simulations that allow you to maximize efficiency and reduce costs.
Reduce inventory, increase productivity and the reliability of delivery dates with a collaborative tool integrated with your management system, talk to an expert.