Although every scheduling solution is unique, the fundamentals of amazing scheduling solutions are always the same:

• Simple – Your scheduling solution must be able to automate your complex processes and make them easy to understand.
• Fast – Your scheduling solution must do in minutes what used to take you hours and/or days because speed gives you have a clear advantage
• Smart – Your scheduling solution must be able to provide you with the information you need to make smart scheduling decisions.
• Accurate – Your scheduling solution must be able to replicate your tribal knowledge so that it makes sense to your operators.
• Visible – your scheduling solution needs to provide management with data they don’t currently have so they can understand cause and effect and identify problems long before they happen

You Need a Scheduling Strategy
Your scheduling strategy will always be unique to your company and it must support your strategic direction. Attempting to resolve your scheduling problems without a clearly defined vision is usually futile. Your scheduling strategy should include the following;

• A full understanding of your current weaknesses and their implications
• A full understanding of your objectives
• A realistic vision of what success will (and won’t) look like
• An understanding of the critical APS software requirements
• A step by step outline of what it will take to achieve success
• A realistic understanding of the timeline and the benefits of each step

You Need a Scheduling Partner
Your Scheduling Partner is the most critical element of your journey to Amazing. Selecting the wrong partner will have a disastrous impact on your short-term and more importantly your long-term success. Your scheduling partner should have the following capabilities;

• A proven track record of successfully implementing APS solutions (Hint: If your scheduling partner is learning on the job then you will almost certainly fail.
• Your strategic partner must not only be able to understand manufacturing, your objectives and your business, they must be there to guide you every step of the way.
• Your scheduling partner should be able to break down complex issues with innovative thinking and creative problem solving.

• Improved on-time deliveries – attracts and keeps key customers
• Reduced dependence on key people – undocumented tribal knowledge
• Reduced Inventories – WIP & Cycle time
• Elimination of confusion – reduces manual expediting and conflicting priorities
• Improved Revenues and Profitability – increased demand, attracting new customers, reduced overtime, improved productivity and increased revenues