SCHEDULING

Scheduling Overview

The Scheduling module provides a variety of programs to assist with scheduling work orders through the factory.  To use the Scheduling module you must use routings and collect and report labor.

Four methods of scheduling are available: finite scheduling, infinite scheduling, lead time scheduling and manual scheduling.  You cannot mix scheduling methods - you must use one method system-wide.  Each of the methods of scheduling are briefly described as follows.

Finite Scheduling

Finite scheduling is the most automatic of the three methods.  The only date you assign is a start date when the work order gets created.  The finite scheduling program will then prioritize all your work orders based on the number of days from today to the due date divided by remaining production time.  It then takes each work order in succession and schedules each of its routing sequences in the next available time slot in each of its work centers.  The work order finish date will equal the finish date of the last routing sequence.  Work order finish dates are therefore dependent on work center capacity and must contend with other work orders for the capacity that is available.  Finite scheduling is generally used when accurate and realistic due dates are needed and where products are complex and order volume is such that it overwhelms the ability to schedule manually or semi-manually.

Infinite Scheduling

Infinite scheduling is semi-manual in the sense that you manually assign a start date and finish date to each work order, then the infinite scheduling program automatically assigns the start and finish dates to the routing sequences.  It is called "Infinite" scheduling because it assigns routing sequence dates without regard to available capacity in the work centers; in other words, it assumes that there is infinite capacity available.  Infinite scheduling is generally used where due dates are relatively inflexible and you adapt your capacity (through overtime or hiring temps, for example) to meet your commitments to customers

Lead Time Scheduling

Lead Time scheduling means that the program calculates the total process time for a work order by taking the Work Order quantity multiplied by the time per part for each routing labor sequence plus Setup, plus queue times defined in RO-C Enter Work Centers for the Work Center to determine in-house production time.  Outside Process operation lead time is then added to come up with total process time and then the program will either generate a finish date based on start date or a start date based on finish date.  While this method does not take work center capacity into account, backlogged work centers can be given a Queue time representing a typical number of days a work order will be required to wait once arriving at that work center before production can begin.  Backward scheduling can be run based on current estimated finish date or based on Due Date.

Manual Scheduling

Manual scheduling means that you manually assign all dates, including the start and finish date of the work order as well as optionally on each routing sequence.  Manual scheduling is generally used when relatively few work orders are involved and products are simple.  There are a handful of entry programs that make it easy to manually schedule work orders.

For details on how each scheduling method is used, see How Finite Scheduling Works, How Infinite Scheduling Works, How Lead Time Scheduling Works and How Manual Scheduling Works.