Engineer-to-Order Capacity Planning Differs According to Trakware’s Randy Richel
Trakware Systems is the worldwide leader in manufacturing execution system (MES) solutions for engineer-to-order (ETO) and project-based manufacturers maximizing both profitability and productivity. Trakware specializes in lean business-critical functions such as estimating, advanced scheduling, job costing, production management and labor as well as material shop floor data collection. TRAKware software fully integrates with existing ERP systems, as well as major software providers for financials, engineering design, optimization, payroll and wireless interaction for mobile workers. Trakware recognizes ETO manufacturing as a process and includes a wide range of industry sectors including Architectural Woodworking, Cabinets, Store Fixtures, Doors and Windows, Furniture, Oil and Gas Fabrication, Solid Surface, Metal Fabrication, Yacht-building, and Custom Electronics.
According to Randy Richel, P.Eng., CEO and General Manager of Canadian-based Trakware, “Scheduling in a project-based environment can have a variety of meanings and possible solutions. TRAKware approaches scheduling in three broad categories – Capacity Planning, Capacity Management, and Finite Resource Scheduling. Customers make the decision as to which level of scheduling functionality meets their needs and can progress from the basic Capacity Planning scenario to full Finite Resource Scheduling as their business requirements change.”
Capacity Planning uses the due dates on the deliverables as the main parameter to provide Capacity Planning schedule information. The due dates are backed off by a configurable lead time parameter and the required hours (divided by department and/or work center) are put into the appropriate planning ‘buckets’.
A simple report is used to display the planning buckets out over a period of time. Proposed projects and estimates can be overlaid to provide a planning forecast. A typical time window for Capacity Planning is 1 to 12 months; this is further out than Capacity Management or Finite Resource Scheduling. A schedule is typically a simple list of work orders sorted by priority and due date. Capacity Planning functionality is included as part of the projectTRAK module.
TRAKware Systems Inc.
www.trakware.com
Randy Richel, CEO
info@trakware.com
800-370-1849
|
Share: