Article

APS and ERP: A Perfect Duo

Because ERP by itself is no longer enough

As a means to manage processes and centralize information, ERP quickly became a must, and rightly so. But beyond their undeniable benefits ERP systems have certain limitations that can keep you from reaching a higher level of efficiency and productivity.

ERP systems are essential to overall medium – or long-term resource planning, but when you’re preparing an optimal plan for operations, the ERP planning model is often too simplistic. It disregards many key constraints. The result? Inaccurate planning that’s hard to put into practice on the shop floor.

It’s becoming clear that ERP by itself is no longer enough to cope with manufacturers’ current needs.

What APS does that ERP doesn’t

Designs precise and doable optimized production plans

Designs precise and doable optimized production plans

Optimizes operations in real time through advanced algorithms

Optimizes operations in real time through advanced algorithms

Takes all the constraints into account simultaneously

Takes all the constraints into account simultaneously

Estimates delivery times accurately. Prioritizes on-time delivery at minimum cost

Estimates delivery times accurately. Prioritizes on-time delivery at minimum cost

Considers the actual progress on the shop floor. Quickly adjusts schedules to changing circumstances

Considers the actual progress on the shop floor. Quickly adjusts schedules to changing circumstances

Provides visibility of production processes. Identifies production constraints and potential problems

Provides visibility of production processes. Identifies production constraints and potential problems

Maximizes use of resources. Reduces setup time and downtime

Maximizes use of resources. Reduces setup time and downtime

Analyzes complex scenarios. Assesses the impacts of a change or a new production order

Analyzes complex scenarios. Assesses the impacts of a change or a new production order

Examples of constraints taken into account

  • Inventory levels and planned incoming deliveries of raw materials
  • Skills of employees, and their work schedules
  • Machine speeds, temporary efficiencies
  • Planned maintenance
  • Actual status of machines
  • Real progress of operations
  • Setup time in relation to the sequence of operations
  • Complex routings
  • Alternative resources and preferences
  • Rest time and drying time
  • Overlap between routing operations
  • Grouping of similar operations
  • Imposed start date
  • Frozen planning period

Why APS and ERP form a perfect duo

Whereas ERP brings together information on all the processes and resources of a business, APS provides key functions for analyzing and optimizing at the operational level. Although you can use them independently of each other, they show the full extent of their power when used together.

If a manufacturing company wishes to optimize its operations, it will need real-time analysis and simulations to minimize costs and maximize efficiency. That’s why ERP by itself isn’t enough to reach a higher level of efficiency.

Ready to go to a higher level of efficiency?

Syncrun is a scheduling solution that will perfectly fit with your ERP, your SCM, your MES, or any other management system you have. Its advanced algorithm is a real engine for optimizing your operations and will help boost your productivity.