For these types of companies, it is necessary to have tools that allow them to plan their production in the most efficient and effective way possible.
The most effective way to streamline production is through the implementation of specialized software, such as Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) solutions, which offer a dynamic visualization of machines and the work plan (with various charts such as Resource or Production Order Gantt charts). These IT solutions, specifically designed for industrial companies, complement other business management systems such as ERP/MRP, shop floor management systems (MES), and machine/asset maintenance management systems.
Tools like Izaro APS from Grupo i68 or Asprova aim to achieve the best possible combination of features and performance by collecting, processing, and delivering information to management and machinery. This data enables them to implement meaningful measures that improve productivity, reduce costs, and minimize downtime. With these tools, companies can not only achieve effective production planning but also increase production without additional hiring or investment, and discover unnecessary production lines or more efficient ways to manufacture certain products.
The Grupo i68 Izaro APS solution also allows combining various criteria to calculate the planning using a multi-criteria algorithm. It also presents the production schedule in a Gantt chart, enabling users to see plant saturation at a glance, add tasks to idle machines, and view planning by product characteristics (highlighting red items, large items, items from a specific customer, etc.)
The planning done with Izaro APS is supported by KPIs such as Lead Time, Average Delay, and Idle Time, which allow for comparing different scenarios or calculating the impact of shifting an operation to expedite a customer order. Having these indicators makes it easier to calculate the ROI of an investment in an APS solution, as it reveals the difference between the indicators of a plan created by the manufacturing company (if they can calculate them) and those provided by an APS, thus justifying the investment.
