e-Tomato has developed a Production Planning add-on for SAP Business One that enables organizations to track and schedule the production on basis of the machine capacity and availability. Through the Production Planning module managers can plan and forecast the utilization and availability of resources for the production process thereby enabling organizations to increase efficiency and productivity and at the same time minimizing production time and costs.
Through the Production Planning module managers can determine which machines are to be utilized. They can also prioritize the production schedule on the basis of the availability of resources to determine the estimated date of delivery (i.e. forward planning) or on the basis of the committed delivery date (i.e. backward planning).
Through the Production Planning module managers can effectively track the progress of production orders through the various stages and can determine whether or not the delivery schedules will be met.
FEATURES The features and elements available within the Production Planning add-on module are as follows:
Masters The Production Planning module enables managers to create and maintain a database of parameters/attributes that are required for proper scheduling or the production orders. The various masters available within the add-on are as follows:
• Setup: Managers can use this screen to define the working hours (i.e. start time and end time) followed in the manufacturing unit. Through this screen managers can also define the lead time to be taken into consideration while scheduling the production orders.
• Work shifts: Through the Work Shifts interface the managers can define and store the various work shifts that are being followed in the unit.
• Machine Group Center: Multiple machines can be grouped together. The machine group center interface enables managers to define machine group centers into which the machines can be classified.
• Machine Calendar: A calendar for the machines (detailed the working days and the holidays) can be created in the Production Planning add-on module. The calendar in turn can be used to schedule the availability of the machines. Through the Machine Calendar interface the manager can define the days of the week on which the machine will be operated. For each day of the week that the machine will be operated the working hours (i.e. start time and end time) can be defined. Through the interface the manager can also define the holiday list (i.e. days on which the manufacturing unit is closed). The production orders are scheduled keeping in mind the list of holidays.
• Machine Center: The Machine Center interface is used to define and store the details of the machines that are available for use in the production process. Details such as the machine name, cost of operating the machine (direct cost, indirect costs, and overheads), machine capacity and efficiency can be stored. The machine can be assigned to a machine center group. A machine calendar needs to be associated with the machine.
• Calendar Entries: The manager can generate a calendar for a machine, for a specific time period. The system will use the working days and holidays (as mentioned in the Machine Calendar) to generate the calendar for the specified date range. Details such as machine name, work shift when the machine was used, the start date/time, the end date/time, capacity, efficiency is displayed. The capacity of the machine will vary according to the start and end times. The manager can enter the actual capacity of the machine and his comments/reasoning for the same.
• Operation Master: The various operations that are to be performed on the machines can be defined and stored in the Operation Master. The operations thus defined are then associated with a machine.
• Routing Master: The Routing Master can be used to define a route i.e. various operations to be included in a production process and the order in which they are to be performed. A route is then associated with a production order.
Scheduling
After assigning a route to a production order the manager can now schedule the production. The scheduling interface lists all the pending production orders. The manager can set the priority of the production orders and schedule them according to the start date of the production orders or on the basis of the date of delivery. In case the date of delivery option has been selected, the lead time (as defined in the setup screen) will be used to calculate the date.
Reports
The Reports generated through the Production Planning module enables managers to track and monitor the production schedules and their progress. The reports that can be generated are:
• Production Scheduling Report: The production scheduling report details all the productions orders that have been scheduled. The report can be filtered according to various criteria such as date, machines used, production orders etc.
• Job Card: The Job Card displays the details of all production processes that have been completed. The manager can enter his comments on the same thereby enabling it to be monitored.
Integration with Microsoft Project
The Production Planning module has been integrated with Microsoft Project thereby enabling managers to view and track the scheduled production orders with ease. Managers can take advantage of the various features and tools that Microsoft Project has to offer thereby enabling them to manage and control the production orders effectively.
ADVANTAGES
The Production Planning add-on module offers the following advantages:
• The Production Planning module provides real time information on the availability of resources.
• It helps accurately determining the date or completion and start dates so as to ensure timely delivery of the orders.
• Through the Production Planning module the various stages in the production process can be scheduled.
Haryana leather chemicals opts for SAP Business One. A joint venture company with ICAP-SIRA chemicals and polymers...
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