POWERED BY INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING
workers on the ground,
and increase productivity,
manufacturers are using
modern technology
solutions daily. The
internet-enabled world
we now live in makes it
essential for manufacturers
to implement and use
industry-specific software
as part of the day-to-day
running of a factory if they
want to plan for the future
and keep customers happy. you are running a make-
to-order, make-to-stock,
or a just-in-time business,
planning and scheduling
software needs to be pushed
up the list of importance.
Once a commitment to a
customer is made–whether
creating a custom-made
product or agreeing to a
specific delivery date–it is
vital to meet it. This is where
planning and scheduling
software comes into its own.
Historically, competing
Historical scheduling and
customer orders and
productivity
contention of resources
When done correctly,
and supply have been an
scheduling can provide real
issue for manufacturers,
business benefits including
often leading to missed
minimised production time
delivery deadlines, and
and cost and maximised
even overproduction.
factory efficiency. However,
Planning and scheduling
it’s not just about scheduling
software controls these
the manufacturing process,
situations by providing
it’s about ensuring the right
manufacturers with up-to-
resources are allocated for the
the-minute information,
job, and working in the most
and suggestions when it
efficient way.
comes to the raw materials
Monzer Tohme, Regional Vice President, Sales, Middle
they need, and how
East and Africa, Epicor Software
Scheduling has traditionally
resources can be used most
taken a large amount of
efficiently. This means manufacturers
human skill and organisations
can maximise their performance
In fact, the demand for new and
must realise the implementation of
whilst increasing profitability.
more efficient technologies is rapidly
software does not reduce this need.
increasing, and the line between the
Instead, it provides these workers
Planning and scheduling software can
digital and physical worlds is blurring
with the tools to perform their roles
effectively predict future bottlenecks
in most elements of our daily lives.
more efficiently, enabling them to
and issues with orders, meaning
There is a growing trend for many
disseminate the most relevant data
manufacturers can take action and
consumers to purchase greater levels
to the workers on the shop floor.
rectify future issues before they
of products online instead of in store.
actually cause problems—preventing
Technology is the future
customer orders from being delayed or Manufacturers are experiencing a
For manufacturers wanting to take
incorrect.
similar transition with their customers advantage of what Industry 4.0 will
keen to receive the same services
bring, planning and scheduling is
Technology transformation
they get from internet giants such as
the footprint to build on. With the
The business landscape is currently
Amazon and Souq.com–the ability to
industry in constant motion, the only
within a cycle of technology-oriented
buy online, and have visibility of the
way forward is to innovate and evolve.
transformation and manufacturers
delivery timescale upon purchase.
Investing and implementing advanced
face intense pressure to remain agile, These are relatively new demands,
and scalable technology solutions–such
grow, and increase efficiency. It is
and to offer them alongside trends
as ERP and planning and scheduling
clear that the only way forward is to
such as mass customisation,
software–will allow manufacturers to
invest in, and implement, modern
manufacturers have to start working
see tangible business benefits and
technology solutions.
smartly. It doesn’t matter whether
positively affect their bottom line. ¡
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