Now that you have implemented your Epicor ERP software, it is time to see how it can improve your business. Epicor ERP Consultants can train you in all the processes this software can do for your company. ERP software has job planning and scheduling features. These increase productivity and streamline processes. Benefits of scheduling include reducing workload, and automating operations.

Epicor ERP Consultants Can Help You Improve Your Processes

Once your software is set up, Epicor ERP Consultants can train you to use different features of the system. One of these features will help streamline production through scheduling and quality assurance. There are a variety of expected and unexpected benefits of using ERP software for scheduling. Scheduling software will deliver on time and make your systems run smoother. Unexpected benefits may include freeing up space and capital, gaining more trust by increasing sales to new and old customers, and reducing works in progress.

There are a lot of challenges to running a business. Using Epicor ERP software for scheduling jobs and tasks will improve delivery efficiency. The tool that can be used to meet this critical customer demand is called finite job planning and scheduling. Finite scheduling has two objectives:

1. It attempts to have every job completed on time so delivery dates can be met

2. If these jobs cannot be finished, it will attempt to minimize delays

If you always have hundreds of open jobs, finite scheduling is a must for your business.

Epicor ERP Consultants at Tomerlin-ERP know that once it’s implemented, the data finite scheduling collects is crucial for your business to succeed.

Advanced Planning and Scheduling Functions

Epicor ERP Consultants will train you to use the planning and scheduling software. There are a variety of functions and capabilities you can attribute to your Epicor ERP software for systems. By assigning different capabilities, you can customize tasks. There are dependent capabilities and finite or infinite capabilities. By assigning these to certain tasks accordingly, you can streamline production through automation. There are 4 functions of advanced planning and scheduling (APS) operations.

1. Automated Scheduling by Capability. You can define capabilities or skill levels and tie them to multiple resources instead of defining each capability individually. The advanced planning and scheduling system will determine the order in which each operation is performed.

2. Dependent Capabilities. Dependent Capabilities can be linked to primary capabilities when required by operations

3. Finite or Infinite Capabilities. Each resource’s capability can be defined as finite or infinite. The resource will be rescheduled if an operation is moved.

4. Material Constraints. APS is integrated directly with inventory and purchasing; therefore, it knows when materials are available and schedules accordingly.

Critical Components

Epicor scheduling engines handle supply and demand through three main components: capacity, load and scheduling blocks. Each has its own purpose.

Capacity

Capacity measures how much time or production output is available within your manufacturing facility. It represents supply available, and every resource has an available limit each day. Depending on how you want to handle capacities, the resources can or cannot be assigned more demand than capacity. Resources can be finite or infinite.

Load

This component measures how much time and production output is required to complete an operation. The load required for each job is calculated by the amount of time and parts needed and their availability. Load is the demand placed against the schedule. In other words, it’s the amount of time that resources need to complete operation.

Scheduling Blocks

A scheduling block is a record that determines how much time is needed to complete production. The scheduling engine will determine how much time is needed and how many blocks are required to complete the load. The amount of time allocated depends on quantity, resources and whether or not the task can be broken up.

After streamlining these systems using your Epicor ERP scheduling software, you will find your business running smoother and your employees and customers will be happier. Production and quality will go up because scheduling improvements will streamline production and delivery. Finding competent Epicor ERP Consultants who specialize in helping you understand how to use ERP software to improve your business is the ultimate key to enterprise success.