Graphical production planning in Business Central
Visual Advanced Production Scheduler (VAPS) is an innovative solution developed by Netronic for managing production planning processes, fully integrated with the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central system. It extends the Manufacturing Management functionality which is available in the ERP system.
The solution is particularly useful in manufacturing companies that search for an efficient tool to manage and optimize complex production processes. Capabilities of the application include the visualization of the entire production schedule, scenario simulations, flexible resource management and easy identification of bottlenecks.
The interactive VAPS interface that utilizes the “drag & drop” features, facilitates planning and allows for reducing downtime, which results in increased productivity.
The application has been designed particularly for planners and production managers who must make informed decisions quickly.
What problems can be solved with Visual Advanced Production Scheduler?
Intuitive planning
With intuitive planning, users can create and modify production schedules easily, which translates into...
Intuitive planning
With intuitive planning, users can create and modify production schedules easily, which translates into time savings and increased productivity.
Scenario simulations
By testing different production strategies without exposing the actual manufacturing process to risks, companies...
Scenario simulations
By testing different production strategies without exposing the actual manufacturing process to risks, companies can enhance their planning and get ready for changes.
Resource flexibility
Flexibility in planning the use of resources on the basis of current demand, increases...
Resource flexibility
Flexibility in planning the use of resources on the basis of current demand, increases efficiency and reduces waste.
Efficient management and implementation
As an integral part of Business Central, VAPS does not require any additional interfaces...
Efficient management and implementation
As an integral part of Business Central, VAPS does not require any additional interfaces to be implemented. This facilitates schedule management and increases its efficiency.
Downtime reduction
The application provides capabilities for detecting and managing the causes of downtime, which is...
Downtime reduction
The application provides capabilities for detecting and managing the causes of downtime, which is critical to production continuity and losses reduction.
Quick response to changes
It enables the user to immediately respond to unexpected events such as order changes...
Quick response to changes
It enables the user to immediately respond to unexpected events such as order changes or equipment and machine failures.
Machine use optimization
Thanks to the improved allocation of production resources, the solution minimizes the risk of...
Machine use optimization
Thanks to the improved allocation of production resources, the solution minimizes the risk of downtime and increases operational efficiency.
Increased bandwidth
With streamlined planning and scheduling, companies can manufacture larger quantities of products in a...
Increased bandwidth
With streamlined planning and scheduling, companies can manufacture larger quantities of products in a shorter time.
Streamlined communication
The application facilitates information flow between departments which is the key to quick problem...
Streamlined communication
The application facilitates information flow between departments which is the key to quick problem resolution and effective planning.
Better material planning
The application provides more accurate forecasting and inventory management, which helps companies reduce costs...
Better material planning
The application provides more accurate forecasting and inventory management, which helps companies reduce costs and avoid material shortages.
Increased customer satisfaction
Precise planning and implementation of production schedules translates into timely deliveries and increased customer...
Increased customer satisfaction
Precise planning and implementation of production schedules translates into timely deliveries and increased customer trust.
Reduced costs
The optimization of production processes and more efficient use of resources can significantly decrease...
Reduced costs
The optimization of production processes and more efficient use of resources can significantly decrease operating expenses.
Real-time visualization
Real-time production status overview enables the user to monitor changes and quickly respond to...
Real-time visualization
Real-time production status overview enables the user to monitor changes and quickly respond to them.
Increased process transparency
The application helps employees get a better understanding of how their individual efforts impact...
Increased process transparency
The application helps employees get a better understanding of how their individual efforts impact the overall production process, which leads to enhanced engagement and job satisfaction.
Support tool for strategic decisions
By providing meaningful data and analyses, the application aids decision making at the higher...
Support tool for strategic decisions
By providing meaningful data and analyses, the application aids decision making at the higher management level.
Functionality of Visual Advanced Production Scheduler
Integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Seamless integration with Business Central is crucial for seamless data and production process management. With all essential information accessible from single repository, the application significantly improves work and decision making efficiency.
Automation and supervision
Automation and supervision
The solution allows you to create automatic production schedules that can subsequently be adjusted manually. This functionality ensures control over the production processes, allowing the user to quickly respond to changes and maintain process continuity.
Planning flexibility
Planning flexibility
The functionality allows for manual customization of production schedules, effectively combining traditional and modern planning methods. Users can freely modify and adjust each schedule to the current requirements and conditions, which ensures greater control and flexibility in production management.
Managing schedule modifications
Managing schedule modifications
The functionality facilitates change management by showing how changes can impact the entire production schedule. It helps predict and minimize possible disruptions which is crucial for maintaining production efficiency.
Centralized data
Centralized data
Thanks to a unified database, the application offers an easy way to access production-related information. This empowers users to quickly analyze data and make informed decisions.
Managing resources and alternative resources
Managing resources and alternative resources
The functionality suggests alternative resources when main resources are unavailable. This ensures that production processes are undisturbed which translates into enhanced flexibility and sustained work continuity.
Earliest resource availability date (EMAD)
Earliest resource availability date (EMAD)
The application offers material availability overviews. The feature is crucial for production planning because it reduces the risk of delay resulting from component unavailability.
Planning without overloads
Planning without overloads
By preventing resource overloads while creating production schedules, the solution enables you to maintain the efficiency and sustainability of production.
Managing downtime
Managing downtime
Quick response minimizes the impact of failures or downtime on the production processes. Thanks to this capability, the company can reduce losses and return to its regular operating mode quickly.
Plan freezing
Plan freezing
The functionality allows the user to lock a part of the schedule to prevent unwanted incidental changes. It is particularly useful in long-term plans and projects.
Multiple views and visualizations
Multiple views and visualizations
Multiple views and colors facilitate understanding and presenting complex production data. Thanks to powerful visualization features, users can identify key information and trends quickly and communicate more effectively within the organization and with customers.
Feedback to the sales department
Feedback to the sales department
Automatic feedback ensures that the sales department is instantly informed of any changes in the production schedule. This streamlines communication with customers in case of possible delays or changes in deliveries.
Viewing unassigned production orders on a virtual standby resource
Viewing unassigned production orders on a virtual standby resource
Unassigned production orders can be viewed per virtual standby resource. The user can move the unassigned production orders to resources using the drag & drop feature or use the semi-automatic planning tool which highlights available alternative machines.
Entering operations and automatic schedule customization
Entering operations and automatic schedule customization
The function allows the user to add new operations to an existing schedule which is automatically adjusted to include these operations.
Automatic production order planning without impacting the overall schedule
Automatic production order planning without impacting the overall schedule
This functionality is used to automatically schedule production orders without affecting the overall production schedule.
Capability to pin operations in a time slot
Capability to pin operations in a time slot
By pinning operations in a chosen time slot, the user can prevent moving or modifying the operations.
Meaningful color schemes
Meaningful color schemes
The application offers different color schemes that help the user to focus on specific aspects of planning.
Running multiple simulations of the schedule, building scenarios and publishing a chosen schedule
Running multiple simulations of the schedule, building scenarios and publishing a chosen schedule
This feature allows the user to create, compare and publish different schedule scenarios which facilitates planning optimization.
Planning based on material availability
Planning based on material availability
In the scheduling process, the system analyzes material availability which ensures that the production plan is manageable and feasible.
Working with alternative resources and technological lines
Working with alternative resources and technological lines
Production planning can take into account different possibilities such as alternative resources and technological lines.
Sequence Dependent Setup Times
Sequence Dependent Setup Times
Reduce downtime and operational costs while optimizing resource utilization with SDST (Sequence Dependent Setup Times). Optimizing the sequence of operations on key machines to minimize setup times can increase throughput and reduce the number of delayed production orders. SDST supports this by grouping specific operations on designated machines to minimize overall setup time. The SDST feature in VAPS operates based on item attributes
Integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Seamless integration with Business Central is crucial for seamless data...
Integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Seamless integration with Business Central is crucial for seamless data and production process management. With all essential information accessible from single repository, the application significantly improves work and decision making efficiency.
Automation and supervision
The solution allows you to create automatic production schedules that...
Automation and supervision
The solution allows you to create automatic production schedules that can subsequently be adjusted manually. This functionality ensures control over the production processes, allowing the user to quickly respond to changes and maintain process continuity.
Planning flexibility
The functionality allows for manual customization of production schedules,...
Planning flexibility
The functionality allows for manual customization of production schedules, effectively combining traditional and modern planning methods. Users can freely modify and adjust each schedule to the current requirements and conditions, which ensures greater control and flexibility in production management.
Managing schedule modifications
The functionality facilitates change management by showing how changes can...
Managing schedule modifications
The functionality facilitates change management by showing how changes can impact the entire production schedule. It helps predict and minimize possible disruptions which is crucial for maintaining production efficiency.
Centralized data
Thanks to a unified database, the application offers an easy...
Centralized data
Thanks to a unified database, the application offers an easy way to access production-related information. This empowers users to quickly analyze data and make informed decisions.
Managing resources and alternative resources
The functionality suggests alternative resources when main resources are unavailable....
Managing resources and alternative resources
The functionality suggests alternative resources when main resources are unavailable. This ensures that production processes are undisturbed which translates into enhanced flexibility and sustained work continuity.
Earliest resource availability date (EMAD)
The application offers material availability overviews. The feature is crucial...
Earliest resource availability date (EMAD)
The application offers material availability overviews. The feature is crucial for production planning because it reduces the risk of delay resulting from component unavailability.
Planning without overloads
By preventing resource overloads while creating production schedules, the solution...
Planning without overloads
By preventing resource overloads while creating production schedules, the solution enables you to maintain the efficiency and sustainability of production.
Managing downtime
Quick response minimizes the impact of failures or downtime on...
Managing downtime
Quick response minimizes the impact of failures or downtime on the production processes. Thanks to this capability, the company can reduce losses and return to its regular operating mode quickly.
Plan freezing
The functionality allows the user to lock a part of...
Plan freezing
The functionality allows the user to lock a part of the schedule to prevent unwanted incidental changes. It is particularly useful in long-term plans and projects.
Multiple views and visualizations
Multiple views and colors facilitate understanding and presenting complex production...
Multiple views and visualizations
Multiple views and colors facilitate understanding and presenting complex production data. Thanks to powerful visualization features, users can identify key information and trends quickly and communicate more effectively within the organization and with customers.
Feedback to the sales department
Automatic feedback ensures that the sales department is instantly informed...
Feedback to the sales department
Automatic feedback ensures that the sales department is instantly informed of any changes in the production schedule. This streamlines communication with customers in case of possible delays or changes in deliveries.
Viewing unassigned production orders on a virtual standby resource
Unassigned production orders can be viewed per virtual standby resource....
Viewing unassigned production orders on a virtual standby resource
Unassigned production orders can be viewed per virtual standby resource. The user can move the unassigned production orders to resources using the drag & drop feature or use the semi-automatic planning tool which highlights available alternative machines.
Entering operations and automatic schedule customization
The function allows the user to add new operations to...
Entering operations and automatic schedule customization
The function allows the user to add new operations to an existing schedule which is automatically adjusted to include these operations.
Automatic production order planning without impacting the overall schedule
This functionality is used to automatically schedule production orders without...
Automatic production order planning without impacting the overall schedule
This functionality is used to automatically schedule production orders without affecting the overall production schedule.
Capability to pin operations in a time slot
By pinning operations in a chosen time slot, the user...
Capability to pin operations in a time slot
By pinning operations in a chosen time slot, the user can prevent moving or modifying the operations.
Meaningful color schemes
The application offers different color schemes that help the user...
Meaningful color schemes
The application offers different color schemes that help the user to focus on specific aspects of planning.
Running multiple simulations of the schedule, building scenarios and publishing a chosen schedule
This feature allows the user to create, compare and publish...
Running multiple simulations of the schedule, building scenarios and publishing a chosen schedule
This feature allows the user to create, compare and publish different schedule scenarios which facilitates planning optimization.
Planning based on material availability
In the scheduling process, the system analyzes material availability which...
Planning based on material availability
In the scheduling process, the system analyzes material availability which ensures that the production plan is manageable and feasible.
Working with alternative resources and technological lines
Production planning can take into account different possibilities such as...
Working with alternative resources and technological lines
Production planning can take into account different possibilities such as alternative resources and technological lines.
Sequence Dependent Setup Times
Reduce downtime and operational costs while optimizing resource...
Sequence Dependent Setup Times
Reduce downtime and operational costs while optimizing resource utilization with SDST (Sequence Dependent Setup Times). Optimizing the sequence of operations on key machines to minimize setup times can increase throughput and reduce the number of delayed production orders. SDST supports this by grouping specific operations on designated machines to minimize overall setup time. The SDST feature in VAPS operates based on item attributes
Our vision for the application
While presenting and implementing VAPS from Netronic, I had an opportunity to work with actual production scenarios. I successfully implemented many scenarios, and the results were satisfying even on the first attempts. Firstly, I would like to emphasize that the application is quick to implement, and you can download a free trial version to test its features. When installed, the solution is almost instantly ready to use with our data! The visualization of availability of item components and alternate resources are capabilities that planners have been waiting for a long time. I would like to recommend all customers to try VAPS and experience how it optimizes production schedules and reduces costs
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