Advanced planning and scheduling systems have been around for years but, as the technology is refined and their reputation spreads, transformational improvements are still being achieved.
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As 2013 beckons, Brian Tinham examines some of the system choices and issues manufacturers probably should be reviewing, if they want their IT to enable business development, rather than hinder it
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If you haven't invested in professional planning and scheduling software, now's the time. If you've done that, but demand and capacity planning needs help, there is a solution, says Mike Novels
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Want a fast, easy way to prove the benefits of planning and scheduling software? Trial versions, delivered via the web, are proving a popular win-win for system evaluation, says Rod Schregardus
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Failing to plan is planning to fail, goes the old axiom favoured by management consultants. Brian Tinham examines the role of modern APS in transforming companies and their supply chains
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Sophisticated time and attendance systems are not only being used to underpin production planning and scheduling, but also continuous improvement projects and ultimately manufacturers' competitiveness and financial performance. Brian Tinham reports
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As manufacturers continue to struggle with complexity across their shopfloors, contractors, suppliers and customers, Brian Tinham examines the role of planning systems in guiding lean thinking
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There are powerful arguments today for changing the way we think about software – even ERP and PLM systems. Brian Tinham brings us up to date
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Formulating an IT strategy for any manufacturing company – and that includes SMEs – with a planning horizon of, say, 12 to 36 months, is never going to be trivial. In part, that's due to the sheer scale of imponderables. In today's global economic environment, who among us knows with any certainty what he or she will be doing next month, never mind next year? And, with the continuing pace of today's software, hardware and service developments, there is a sense of shifting sands, rather than solid foundations in the underpinning IT.
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With the importance of responsive supply chains now well established as key to demand-driven production, enlightened manufacturers are turning to advanced planning and scheduling systems to bring complexity to heel. Brian Tinham reports
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Shortlist 2011 is our annual reference directory of IT systems, software, ICT consultancy and service providers. Our objective in this special issue is to make your task of defining, finding and shortlisting IT suppliers as fast, easy and effective as possible.
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Lean practitioners used to argue that IT systems, routed in push-based production, had no place in lean manufacturing. But complexity, variable demand and competition changed all that, says Brian Tinham
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Lean manufacturing projects usually start well but then stall, as project teams falter after the low-hanging fruit. Brian Tinham examines what it takes to drive lean the extra mile
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Agility and responsiveness are fashionable manufacturing mantras, particularly given today's tough times. Brian Tinham examines APS software's ability to deliver
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Advanced planning and scheduling has been bounding up the IT rankings over the last couple of years. Brian Tinham talks to
manufacturers about what works best and where
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Advanced planning and scheduling is probably a misnomer. So understanding what the systems can do for you is key to getting the competitive best from them, reports John Dwyer
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Like teenagers, advanced planning and scheduling systems may be capable of great things but can be misunderstood. Brian Tinham examines their real potential
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Planners have been using spreadsheets for ever – but there is a better way. Brian Tinham finds out how using professional scheduling tools can be a cathartic experience
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It’s not so much about looking under the covers: getting best value from ERP today is less about functionality and more about proper business analysis, good old-fashioned ITTs and due diligence, says Brian Tinham
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Hard pressed manufacturing SMEs need to think carefully before rushing into system purchases. Craig Such of Access Supply Chain tells Brian Tinham how to do it
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There was a time when e-business was for the big boys. But Howard Joseph of McGuffie Brunton tells Brian Tinham that the doors are now wide open for manufacturing SMEs
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Large scale, complex manufacturing has always been difficult and expensive to schedule, but Preactor has now proved a simple and realistic solution. Brian Tinham reports
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When it comes to ERP systems, manufacturing SMEs may well be shocked by how little they can get away with paying so much. Brian Tinham reports
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Akzo Nobel’s Marine and Protective Coatings Business Unit – International Paint to most of us – is approaching its next major ERP upgrade as anything but an IT project. Like an increasing number of more enlightened global manufacturers, it sees this very much as a business project predicated on clear prospects for significant business economies and improvements, all the result of new IT capabilities that substantially change what’s feasible. But what’s particularly intriguing is that its expectations are so high and so compelling despite the company having already taken what those in the know would describe as a model business-centric approach to IT that dates right back to the late ‘90s.
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Current thinking is encouraging investment in production systems that can improve company-wide visibility and flexibility, as well as factory performance. It’s about enabling more agile business able to respond more quickly and positively to customers’ changing requirements, market trends and new opportunities – as well as delivering manufacturing efficiencies and cost cutting. In short, systems that don’t just optimise at the plant level or take care of supply chain operations and events, although both remain important, but that facilitate joined-up business decision-making and actions. There are several types of system that go some way to fitting the bill, but for me – given the nature of most manufacturers’ existing ERP installations and the prevalence of MRPII for planning, alongside a mix of spreadsheets and shop floor data collection (SFDC) and production management systems handling the rest – APS (advanced planning and scheduling) systems remain among the most compelling.
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