Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software is a type of software designed to optimize and automate the planning and scheduling processes within manufacturing and supply chain management. APS systems help organizations manage production, inventory, procurement, and distribution activities more efficiently by leveraging sophisticated algorithms and real-time data.
Demand Forecasting: APS systems can predict future demand based on historical data, trends, and market conditions, helping businesses plan production and inventory needs more accurately.
Capacity Planning: The software helps determine if production capacity aligns with demand, and it optimizes the scheduling of resources (such as machines, labor, and materials) to meet production goals.
Production Scheduling: APS systems generate production schedules that ensure efficient use of resources, considering constraints such as machine availability, labor shifts, maintenance schedules, and inventory levels.
Material Requirements Planning (MRP): APS helps in managing materials needed for production, ensuring that raw materials are available when required without overstocking or stockouts.
Supply Chain Optimization: APS software coordinates supply chain activities such as supplier selection, inventory management, and logistics, reducing lead times and costs across the entire supply chain.
Real-Time Data Integration: APS systems integrate with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and other systems to provide real-time data that helps adjust production and schedules in response to changing conditions.
Scenario Planning: APS allows businesses to simulate different production and scheduling scenarios to assess the impact of various decisions and optimize performance under different conditions.
APS software provides a highly integrated approach to managing production schedules, material flows, and supply chain activities, helping businesses maximize efficiency, reduce costs, and meet customer demands in a dynamic environment.
Explore the top 10 Best Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software solutions
Solidworks – Delmiaworks (formerly IQMS)
Delmiaworks (formerly IQMS) Advanced Production Scheduling (APS) Software optimizes manufacturing scheduling for your organization within seconds.
- Utilize Heijunka and Kanban tools for balanced production schedules.
- Schedule entire work orders, including sub-assemblies, secondary operations, and outsourced or purchased parts
- Drill down into specific capacity and material requirements to ensure all components are available to complete the schedule
- Remove the guesswork by arranging work requirements based on delivery dates, the most efficient work centers, and more
- Use exception lists to quickly identify materials and tools that may be unavailable or require expediting to meet the desired schedule
- Instantly identify materials and tools linked to a work order that may be unavailable or need to be expedited.
- Manufacturing Schedule Loading: Prioritize work orders based on urgency and the most suitable machine information for optimal output
- Define the number of days before the must-start date to schedule production runs, customizable per customer
- Automatically account for unplanned events like changing customer requirements, machine downtime, performance issues, material shortages, or ERP system adjustments
- Protect the current schedule from unwanted changes by setting time fences
- Flexible scheduling for work centers, prioritization of dispatch lists, and operator assignments
- Compare daily and weekly required hours for work centers to available capacity, ensuring optimal performance
- Evaluate future labor resource demand against the standard requirements
- Plan maintenance work orders to ensure accurate, pre-planned downtime schedules
Simio
SIMIO’s Discrete Event Simulation-powered APS solution provides real-time, synchronized, risk-based, and dynamic production planning and scheduling that ensures continuous feasibility and optimization.
- Simio’s Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) engine leverages stochastic Discrete Event Simulation technology, providing a forward-looking, comprehensive view of expected production and delivery performance
- Simio offers a traditional point-and-click user interface alongside an intuitive, data-driven approach for developing and executing Process Digital Twin models
- With various deployment options, including cloud-based solutions, Simio extends the reach and utility of Process Digital Twins, allowing stakeholders across the enterprise both internal and external to leverage the platform for Simulation, Planning & Scheduling, and Shop Floor Orchestration
- Simio supports the training, testing, and integration of Deep Neural Network agents within Process Digital Twin models, as well as bidirectional interaction with Machine Learning algorithms
- The platform is built on a robust integration framework that includes bidirectional database connectors, support for Excel and CSV, Web APIs for cloud, enterprise systems, and IoT device integrations, and compatibility with C#, Python, and SQL
- Simio enables users to create comprehensive Process Digital Twin models without coding, thanks to intelligent out-of-the-box object libraries
- Simio provides a library of application-specific templates containing predefined objects, process logic, and data schemas to jump-start model development for complex operational processes
- Simio’s Process Digital Twin models are true digital twins in both operational accuracy and visual detail. With 3D, GIS, and VR capabilities, users benefit from powerful visualization tools, in addition to detailed data reporting, Gantt charts, and dashboards, all designed to validate model behavior and showcase operational performance
Planettogether
Planettogether – Advanced planning and scheduling solutions optimize production processes, improve efficiency, and enhance resource utilization for businesses across industries.
- Reduce Costs
- Increase Flexibility and Responsiveness
- Strengthen Decision-Making Capabilities
- Improve Product Quality
- Promote Sustainability Initiatives
- Ensure Timely Delivery
Asprova
Asprova is an Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) system that rapidly generates production schedules for multiple items and processes, seamlessly integrating sales, manufacturing, inventory, and purchasing plans.
- Generate schedules at lightning speed with Finite Capacity Scheduling
- Easily view schedules that span from the current shop floor status to several months ahead, enabling rapid and precise delivery date estimates
- Work-in-process inventory is naturally reduced as production lead times are shortened
- Utilize differential data import and export to minimize data exchange between Asprova and existing systems
Orsoft
ORSOFT Manufacturing Workbench is an advanced planning and scheduling (APS) software designed as an add-on to SAP ERP (SAP ECC or S/4HANA). This APS solution enhances your existing SAP system with interactive planning capabilities and solutions for SCM business processes, without the need for complex additional IT infrastructure or separate data systems.
- User-friendly and intuitive software interface
- A certified interface ensures seamless, 100% integration with the SAP ERP environment
- No need for parallel data storage, utilizing the nomenclature and authorization concepts of the SAP ERP system
- Full expansion of SAP ERP capabilities without the need for custom programming
- Industry-specific solutions that streamline planning processes
- Software architecture designed for customized, tailored planning solutions
- Easy implementation with a visible ROI immediately after deployment
Acumatica
Acumatica – Optimize tooling, machine, and work center utilization through finite capacity scheduling, rough-cut capacity planning, and visual scheduling.
- Maximize resource scheduling while preventing machine or work center overloads
- Visualize your production schedule with a graphical representation of production order timelines by work center and machine
- Ensure sufficient capacity to meet the demands of your master schedule
- Leverage APS logic for finite capacity constraints to calculate the available quantity of items by a specific date, or determine availability dates for items in sales orders and quotes
Skyplanner
With SkyPlanner APS software, you can boost production efficiency and streamline your processes, giving your company a competitive advantage. Powered by the built-in AI, Arcturus, our automated software optimizes your factory’s production in seconds with the simple click of the King Button, eliminating the need for spreadsheets or manual planning.
- SkyPlanner APS utilizes AI to quickly calculate the most optimal production plan and continuously maintain peak production levels while automatically adapting to changes. Arcturus analyzes production data from your ERP system, workstation capacities, time logs, materials, priorities, and more to determine the optimal task sequence.
- Users can easily control and adjust the power of Arcturus AI when needed. While the AI handles the scheduling process, humans set the goals and priorities, which are seamlessly incorporated by the AI. The modern user interface makes guiding Arcturus AI quick and intuitive, enabling users to enhance their decision-making without losing critical thinking.
- SkyPlanner APS ensures your facility operates at maximum capacity, helping factories save significant time and resources. With SkyPlanner APS, optimizing production plans after each change becomes a streamlined, efficient process, avoiding the frustration of constant manual adjustments.
Ptdigital (Syncrun)
The Syncrun APS SaaS solution addresses the challenges faced by production managers, schedulers, and planners in the manufacturing industry.
- Empower your operations with real-time data analytics and scenario planning through Syncrun, enabling rapid responses to production changes and disruptions
- Achieve optimal utilization of machinery, labor, and materials with our APS solution, offering detailed insights and real-time adjustments for effective resource management
- Our APS solution integrates ERP forecasts with capacity planning, ensuring precise alignment of production schedules with dynamic market demands
- Use the Syncrun APS system to identify and resolve production bottlenecks, maintaining a continuous flow and maximizing throughput efficiency.
- Leverage Syncrun to optimize scheduling and inventory levels, cutting operational costs, reducing waste, and boosting profitability
Germanedge
The Germanedge APS software is designed to optimize detailed production planning within SAP, by utilizing its various modules, you can shift from make-to-order to just-in-time production and enhance capital-intensive production processes.
- Utilize our Advanced Planning & Scheduling software to effectively plan capacities, define prioritization, and manage various order positions
- With Germanedge’s APS software, you can integrate production planning and purchasing, creating complete transparency across the entire supply chain
- Our APS system enables you to compare different production scenarios, such as production plans and capacities, supporting faster, more informed decision-making
- Sequencing with the APS software helps reduce setup times, optimizing the entire value chain and shortening throughput times in both planning and production
- The APS software allows you to combine multiple production stages, visualizing interdependencies and creating feasible plans and campaigns
- By accounting for the expiry of finished and intermediate products, our software helps you avoid spoilage and the associated costs or material shortages
- Our APS software also supports digitization projects to mitigate risks in personnel planning due to retirements, pensions, or long-term illnesses, reducing the complexity of operational planning
Theaccessgroup
Access Orchestrate manufacturing production planning and scheduling software enhances your production planning by boosting capacity, efficiency, and accuracy.
- The intuitive Drag-and-Drop Gantt chart puts planners in control, allowing for quick and easy schedule adjustments
- Smart modeling helps assess potential capacity, enabling you to confidently provide customers with accurate dates and timescales
- Quickly and accurately test various scenarios, answer “what-if” questions, and compare multiple options
- Proactively identify production bottlenecks with precise data and use heatmaps to report problem areas
- Customize and filter displayed information for each department or user
- Ensure consistent adherence to JIT and lean principles with real-time information and immediate control over resources, labor, and materials
- Connect production planners and shop floor operators through our user-friendly application, accessible on both tablets and PCs
- We offer a standardized methodology to integrate Orchestrate seamlessly with any existing ERP, MES, or QA system
- Access Orchestrate is securely hosted on the cloud, ensuring 99.9% uptime SLA and providing data backup and disaster recovery for enhanced reliability
Who Needs Advanced Planning and Scheduling?
Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software is beneficial for a wide range of organizations, especially those involved in manufacturing, supply chain management, or any business that requires complex coordination of resources, production, and distribution.
Manufacturers
Discrete Manufacturing: Companies producing distinct items, like automobiles, electronics, or machinery, require APS to coordinate production lines, manage material inventory, and optimize schedules to meet fluctuating demand.
Process Manufacturing: Industries like chemicals, food and beverage, or pharmaceuticals rely on APS to handle continuous production processes, manage raw material availability, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Batch Manufacturing: Businesses that produce goods in batches (e.g., cosmetics, specialty chemicals, or packaged foods) benefit from APS by ensuring that each batch is produced on time and meets quality standards.
Supply Chain and Logistics Providers
Organizations that manage complex supply chains, including suppliers, warehouses, and distribution centers, benefit from APS software to optimize inventory management, reduce stockouts, and improve delivery lead times.
Companies that must coordinate between suppliers and customers across multiple locations can use APS to align supply and demand efficiently.
Automotive Industry
APS is critical for automakers who manage large-scale production with many parts and assembly lines.
Consumer Goods and Retail
Companies in this sector (such as clothing, electronics, and home goods) use APS to manage the production, distribution, and delivery of goods in alignment with market demand and retail cycles.
Retailers can also use APS to forecast customer demand and optimize stocking levels, reducing costs while ensuring products are available when customers need them.
Aerospace and Defense
The aerospace and defense industries require extremely precise planning due to long lead times for materials, complex assembly processes, and high safety and regulatory standards.
Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
Healthcare organizations, including pharmaceutical manufacturers and medical device producers, use APS to meet regulatory compliance and ensure timely production and distribution of products.
Electronics and High-Tech Manufacturing
Electronics companies (e.g., semiconductors, consumer electronics, and computers) often face high demand variability and long supply chains.
Energy and Utilities
Companies in the energy sector, especially those involved in energy production and distribution, use APS to optimize resource usage, manage production schedules, and ensure timely delivery of energy to consumers.
Construction and Engineering
Large construction projects benefit from APS systems to coordinate various resources, including labor, equipment, and materials, and to schedule tasks according to project timelines and resource availability.
Food and Beverage
Food and beverage producers use APS to align production schedules with perishable inventory and customer demand.
Small and Mid-Sized Manufacturers (SMBs)
While traditionally APS was used by larger enterprises, today, many small and mid-sized manufacturers are adopting APS to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and meet customer demands more effectively.
Companies with Complex Multi-site Operations
Organizations with multiple manufacturing or distribution sites need APS to synchronize production schedules across locations and optimize inventory management at different facilities to ensure efficient operations.
Why They Need APS:
- Improved Efficiency: APS software helps companies optimize their production schedules, reduce downtime, and improve throughput.
- Cost Reduction: By improving inventory management, reducing excess stock, and streamlining production processes, APS helps reduce operational costs.
- Better Demand Forecasting: APS allows businesses to anticipate demand changes and adjust production schedules accordingly, reducing the risk of overproduction or stockouts.
- Increased Flexibility: APS enables businesses to quickly adjust plans based on real-time data, making it easier to respond to changing market conditions, supply disruptions, or customer orders.
- Enhanced Collaboration: APS provides a centralized platform where different departments (e.g., sales, production, procurement, logistics) can collaborate more effectively to meet overall business goals.
FAQ about Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) Software
What is APS software, and what does it do?
Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software is designed to optimize and automate the planning, scheduling, and management of resources in manufacturing and supply chain processes. It helps businesses manage their production processes more effectively by aligning resources such as labor, materials, and machines with demand.
How is APS different from traditional tools like MRP?
APS software is more advanced than traditional Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems because it not only manages materials but also integrates a wider range of activities, including production scheduling, demand forecasting, and capacity planning. While MRP focuses mainly on ensuring that materials are available when needed for production, APS considers the entire production process optimizing both resources and schedules to meet demand and reduce waste. It also adapts in real-time to disruptions, while MRP tends to follow more static, pre-planned processes.
Who benefits most from APS software?
APS is especially beneficial for industries with complex manufacturing processes or supply chains that require precise scheduling, such as automotive, aerospace, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. Companies with multiple production sites, large-scale operations, or highly variable demand can leverage APS to optimize their operations and improve efficiency. Even small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are now finding value in APS tools that scale to their needs.
How does APS help with inventory management?
APS software helps businesses maintain an optimal inventory by forecasting demand accurately and aligning production schedules with inventory levels. By ensuring the right materials are available at the right time, it minimizes stockouts and overstocking. APS helps avoid costly excess inventory while ensuring that production doesn’t stop due to material shortages, making it an essential tool for efficient inventory management.
Can APS adapt to unexpected changes?
Yes, one of the key strengths of APS is its ability to adjust to real-time changes. If there are disruptions, like machine downtime, changes in demand, or material shortages, APS can quickly recalculate and adjust the production schedules, helping businesses stay on track.
How does APS contribute to better customer satisfaction?
By improving the accuracy of demand forecasting, optimizing production schedules, and reducing lead times, APS ensures that businesses can deliver products to customers on time and in the right quantities.
Does APS software integrate with other systems?
Yes, APS systems are designed to integrate with other enterprise systems like Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). This integration allows for a seamless flow of real-time data between departments—such as production, procurement, and sales, ensuring that everyone has up-to-date information for decision-making.
Is APS suitable for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)?
Yes! Although APS was originally adopted by larger enterprises, there are now scalable APS solutions designed specifically for SMBs. These smaller-scale systems offer the same optimization benefits but are priced and structured to suit the needs of smaller businesses. SMBs can achieve better efficiency and reduce operational costs through tools that improve scheduling and resource management, without needing the massive infrastructure required by larger enterprises.
What kind of return on investment (ROI) can businesses expect from implementing APS?
The ROI from APS can be significant, especially for businesses with complex operations. By improving scheduling accuracy, reducing inventory costs, increasing machine and labor utilization, and cutting waste, businesses can see a reduction in operational costs.
How long does it take to implement APS software?
The time needed to implement APS software depends on various factors, including the size and complexity of the business, the scope of the APS system, and how much customization is needed. Implementation can take anywhere from a few months to over a year.
Is training required for using APS software?
Yes, training is crucial for effective APS adoption. While APS systems are designed to be user-friendly, employees need to understand how to navigate the software and interpret the data it provides. Most APS vendors offer training programs, and businesses typically need ongoing training to ensure that all team members are fully equipped to use the system effectively. Proper training helps ensure that the software delivers the maximum benefit.
Key takeaways
Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software plays a crucial role in modern manufacturing and supply chain operations by helping businesses optimize their resources, production schedules, and supply chains. It offers the ability to forecast demand, balance resources, minimize costs, and improve overall operational efficiency. Whether for large enterprises or small to medium-sized businesses, APS helps organizations respond quickly to changes, reduce waste, and meet customer expectations more effectively.
As industries face increasing complexity and demand for faster, more flexible production systems, APS software provides a strategic advantage. Its ability to integrate with existing enterprise systems, utilize real-time data, and simulate various scenarios ensures that businesses can stay ahead in an ever-changing environment.
For companies looking to streamline their operations, reduce inefficiencies, and improve service levels, adopting APS software is a smart investment.