Production Scheduling & Planning Software
What is Production Scheduling Software?
Production scheduling helps manufacturers optimise their production processes often as a critical component of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. It dynamically manages and optimises production sequences by considering machine capabilities, worker skills, and production efficiency.
Production planning software allows manufacturers to rearrange jobs in real-time, reducing setup times and maximising resource utilisation, ultimately helping businesses streamline production processes and make more informed operational decisions.
Production Scheduling Software For Manufacturing Businesses
Drag-and-Drop Job Scheduling
Dynamically optimises production sequences such as equipment capabilities, setup times, and resource availability to create the most efficient job schedule.
Real-Time Data Sync & Shop Floor Updates
Receive real-time updates on factory operations, continuously monitoring equipment performance, production progress, and potential issues.
Material & Inventory Tracking
Material tracking and inventory availability ensures a precise view of current stock reducing unnecessary "just in case" inventory.
Capacity Planning & Workload Balancing
Flatten out production needs through visual gantt charts to identify demand challenges and worker capacity constraints.
Automated Rescheduling & Conflict Alerts
Minimise workforce disruptions and maintaining operational continuity by easily communicating changes such as shifted delivery dates or staff movements.
How ERP Helps Your Entire Manufacturing Operations
An industry-specific Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system helps manufacturers by identifying inefficiencies and providing industry-specific workflows that improve overall business efficiency. It automates data flow and communication between departments, reducing manual entry and potential errors, while providing real-time visibility into manufacturing operations and profitability.
With everything from job scheduling to inventory control to accounting capabilities, a smart Manufacturing ERP provides absolute visibility and control over the entire business. An ERP enables better production scheduling as it takes everything into account when building. By managing priorities dynamically based on demands you can turn raw materials into finished products in less time, with lower production costs and meet deadlines effortlessly.
Our ERP software supports different manufacturing models - custom, engineer-to-order, mixed-mode, make-to-stock, and repeatable production - with planning and scheduling capabilities.
Reduced Production Time & Costs
Improve production scheduling and overall manufacturing efficiency by systematically reducing operational costs and production time. It does this by optimising machine scheduling and eliminating unnecessary admin work, allowing manufacturers to significantly streamline their production activities.
Production planning minimises waste through precise inventory management, reduces machine downtime by predicting maintenance needs, and matches worker skills to appropriate tasks. Maximise output using existing resources, to produce higher quality products quicker and more cost-effectively.
Increased Resource Utilisation & On-Time Delivery
Production planning software dramatically improves resource utilisation by dynamically managing machine capabilities, worker skills, and production sequences. By optimising how resources are allocated, production planning can reduce bottlenecks, minimise idle time, and ensure every machine and worker is deployed most efficiently.
Production scheduling helps businesses meet delivery commitments more consistently through improved scheduling and real-time monitoring. It allows manufacturers to balance workloads, predict potential delays, and make proactive adjustments, ultimately improving customer satisfaction and maintaining competitive advantage in fast-moving markets.
Real-Time Shop Floor Visibility
Real-time shop floor visibility allows manufacturers to see immediate updates on factory status, including production capacity, machine performance, and potential issues. With continuous tracking of production processes managers can monitor progress and resource utilisation instantly.
Real-time data visibility helps identify bottlenecks, monitor machine performance, and make quick, informed decisions about production planning and resource allocation.
Improved Inventory Accuracy
No more excess inventory as a "comfort zone" to mitigate potential risks. Integrated production planning helps reduce these unnecessary stock levels by providing automated stock control.
With precise inventory data you can maintain leaner stock levels to save money while preventing overstocking and still have the necessary materials to meet production demands.
Less Manual Work & Fewer Errors
With dynamic production planning and scheduling you can automatically monitor job progress, start and finish times, and updates production records without requiring direct input from workers. This allows employees to focus on operating machines and supporting output tasks.
This saves time and reduces potential errors in job recording and documentation to improve overall efficiency and accuracy.
M1: The ERP for Manufacturers
M1 is an comprehensive ERP platform specifically designed for manufacturers. It is a specialised ERP for small and medium size manufacturers, providing specialised and scalable features to support business growth.
JobBOSS²: The Job Shop Management Software
JobBOSS² is an ERP platform specifically designed for job shops. It is suited to job shops and machine shops with custom order requirements to gain more control over production and maximise profitability.
Manufacturing ERP Solutions For Effective Planning & Scheduling
Unified Sales & Production
Create estimates and quotes easily with accurate information then automatically turn quotes into work orders. Ensure operations align with promises made while keeping customers informed during production.
Production Planning & Scheduling
Production planning optimises the factory floor by dynamically adjusting production schedules based on real-time productivity insights. Efficiently turn sales orders into finished goods by maximising productivity.
Material Requirements Planning (MRP)
MRP calculates material requirements based on production plans then generate automated fulfillment. Produce production schedules that outline requirements for different manufacturing operations.
Inventory Management
With centralised data, you can access up-to-date inventory levels from anywhere. Match stock levels to your work orders for precise planning. Connect supply chains and restock based on demand, with automated procurement.
Accounting & Financials
Easily access financial information across departments for effective planning across the business. Purchasing, receiving, and invoicing work together with built-in checks and balances to ensure accurate financial reporting and profit margins.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
View customer history, monitor customer interactions, and confirm customer invoices. Instantly track customer requirements and sales activities while accessing insights into customer behaviour and purchase history.
Production Scheduling Software FAQ's
What is the difference between ECI's M1 ERP and JobBOSS²?
M1 is a more comprehensive and structured ERP for complex manufacturing with more production planning software capabilities. JobBOSS² offers more flexibility for smaller job shop and machine shop environments with production scheduling features.
Is M1 ERP or JobBOSS² suitable for small to mid-sized manufacturers?
Absolutely. ECI's products are focused on small to medium-sized manufacturers.
M1 is suitable for:
- Discrete manufacturing
- Custom work
- Engineer-to-order
- Design-to-order
- Repeatable products
JobBOSS² is suitable for:
- One-off orders
- Repair shops
- Small engineer shops
- Configurable products
What are the advantages of an industry ERP over simple production operations software?
With a completely connected manufacturing business, you can identify inefficiencies across your entire business not just in your manufacturing production. This helps to reduce rework and manual errors, surfaces insights that contribute to greater profitability and set up manufacturing businesses to scale their operations.