**production planning solutions** # Production planning and scheduling software Create realistic production plans and schedules to drive more efficient, effective operations while keeping your production and business objectives aligned. ## Why use production planning software? Creating realistic production plans and schedules is traditionally a challenging task as it requires manufacturers to coordinate multiple factors, resources and variables to meet production goals efficiently. With the additional complexity and constraints of supply chain disruptions and growing demand for customized products, it has become increasingly difficult for planners to stay on top of their plans and schedules. Manufacturers can overcome these challenges with a production planning and scheduling solution. By integrating critical systems and data, production planning solutions empower teams to produce optimized, realistic plans and schedules, stay in control of their production and increase on-time delivery. With production planning software, you can achieve: **20X** ### 20X Multiplied workload Drive cross-domain collaboration to increase working capacity and multiply workload by up to 20X. ( [Proform](https://resources.sw.siemens.com/en-US/case-study-proform?bc=eyJwYWdlIjoiNkdQSm5nNXBMeE9HUVZKYWVqMVhpRCIsInNpdGUiOiJvbmUiLCJsb2NhbGUiOiJlbi1VUyJ9)) **50%** ### 50% Reduced delivery time Plan production processes well in advance and reduce delivery time by up to 50%. ( [C. E. Schneckenflügel](https://resources.sw.siemens.com/en-US/case-study-ceschneckenflugel?bc=eyJwYWdlIjoiNkdQSm5nNXBMeE9HUVZKYWVqMVhpRCIsInNpdGUiOiJvbmUiLCJsb2NhbGUiOiJlbi1VUyJ9)) **87%** ### 87% Increased administrative efficiency Enhance project management capabilities and increase administrative efficiency by up to 87%. ( [Proform](https://resources.sw.siemens.com/en-US/case-study-proform?bc=eyJwYWdlIjoiNkdQSm5nNXBMeE9HUVZKYWVqMVhpRCIsInNpdGUiOiJvbmUiLCJsb2NhbGUiOiJlbi1VUyJ9)) **How do you accelerate time-to-market while managing growing and complex demands for customized goods without compromising on quality, cost and business profitability?** Implement an advanced production planning and scheduling (APS) solution to design and optimize production plans and schedules. Gain greater control over your production processes while keeping delivery times as promised. ## What can production planning software do for you? Enhance long-term strategic planning, medium-term tactical planning and detailed sequencing and scheduling using production planning and scheduling software. Ensure efficient production, minimize downtime and improve customer service. ### Integrate Integrate systems and sub-systems to leverage real-time access to critical data. Create and adapt your plans and schedule quickly while accounting for any constraints. ### Collaborate Provide stakeholders with a collaborative environment to foster cohesive, agile planning. Align on goals and processes from procurement to manufacturing and distribution. ### Extend Streamline production planning by bridging communication gaps. Gain visibility into your supply chain from the supplier network to distribution. ### Optimize Maximize resource usage by creating intelligent schedules that avoid bottlenecks, minimize downtime and optimize production flow, all while ensuring high-quality output. ## Accelerate production planning and scheduling Optimize and automate production planning and scheduling processes. Maximize efficiency to minimize production time and costs. Enhance long- and mid-term planning for your production facilities. ### Manufacturing capacity **Achieve extended visibility on manufacturing capacity**. Enable early detection of capacity issues by implementing finite capacity scheduling with real-time monitoring of deviations to produce feasible, reliable and detailed plans. ### Delivery ​performance **Achieve improved delivery performance**. Ensure timely delivery and quality service by adjusting detailed, prioritized schedules. Enhance customer satisfaction through improved delivery performance amid rapidly changing market demands. ### Resource ​utilization **Achieve maximized resource utilization**. Optimize the deployment and utilization of resources, including machinery, tools, power and materials. Implement finite capacity scheduling to reduce downtime, increase productivity and minimize costs. ### Inventory costs **Achieve reduced inventory costs.** Efficiently minimize excess inventory and costs by adjusting stock levels based on demand, production capacity and supply chain conditions, while reducing lead times and waste to minimize work-in-process. ### Production scheduling **Achieve integrated production and supply chain scheduling**. Improve supply chain visibility, coordination and integration, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned and can respond quickly to changes in demand or supply conditions. ### Planning process **Achieve a faster and more efficient planning process**. Adapt production workflows with agility by reducing time needed to deliver a plan. Adopt a documented, standardized and repeatable scheduling algorithm. ### Opcenter Scheduling Standard Get started with a fast, interactive scheduling system in just minutes. Provide enhanced scheduling feasibility and full visibility across your organization with Opcenter Scheduling Standard. ### Advanced Planning and Scheduling for CPG Experience an advanced planning and scheduling solution specifically tailored for the consumer packaged goods industry. Plan for the best production schedule, ensuring your production throughput is maximized based on priorities and production rules. ### Opcenter Scheduling SMT Make smart scheduling decisions at a factory level with Opcenter Scheduling SMT for the electronics industry. Optimize and manage your PCB production plans with full flow coverage and real-time performance analysis. ## Trusted support for production planning and scheduling Start your APS journey with ease. Our support and service offerings will guide you along the way. ### Personalize your APS solution Leverage the power of low-code embedded capabilities, like [Mendix](https://www.mendix.com/), to create unique out-of-the-box solutions personalized for your business needs. ### Access training Adopt Opcenter APS and master its elements with ease. Get [on-demand or instructor-led training](https://www.sw.siemens.com/en-US/xcelerator-academy-training/opcenter/). ### Join the community Join the conversation and get answers to your questions from [Opcenter experts](https://community.sw.siemens.com/s/topic/0TO4O000000cZDjWAM/opcenter-aps). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is scheduling and production planning software? An APS solution helps manufacturers manage production planning and shop floor scheduling. It provides full visibility into resource capacity and considers all manufacturing constraints to produce optimized, realistic plans and schedules, all while ensuring production remains aligned with overall business objectives. ### Why should manufacturers adopt a production planning software solution? Production planning and scheduling software enables you to keep production schedules up to date and deliver on time. It enhances [control of production processes](https://blogs.sw.siemens.com/opcenter/streamlining-processes-and-boosting-efficiency-how-applied-composites-transformed-planning-and-scheduling-with-opcenter-aps/), improving machine utilization, impact analysis of ‘what if’ scenarios and identification of bottlenecks. With our APS solution, Opcenter APS, you will be able to improve decision-making, transparency, collaboration and responsiveness to reschedule plans within seconds. ### How can a production scheduling software solution improve manufacturing efficiency? Implementing a production scheduling software solution can improve manufacturing efficiency in various ways, including: - Increased on-time deliveries - Increased productivity - Reduced cycle times - Reduced materials inventory - Ability to release feasible plans and schedules in minutes or even seconds ### What manufacturing systems can our scheduling and production planning software integrate with? Opcenter APS is open and interoperable, allowing it to connect seamlessly with other key systems, such as: - Enterprise resource planning - [Product lifecycle management](https://www.sw.siemens.com/en-US/solutions/product-lifecycle-management-plm/) - Manufacturing operations management - [Manufacturing execution system](https://www.sw.siemens.com/en-US/solutions/manufacturing-execution-system-mes/) - Quality management system It provides greater visibility into your production capacity, processes, inventory and other required resources so you can deliver more informed production plans and schedules — in less time.