MRP Planning (Manufacturing Resource Planning) is the means by which manufacturers plan, track and improve production schedules to ensure that customers receive quick, on-time deliveries. As with many software solutions, MRP Planning in the past involved a significant amount of manual entry and communication. In today’s digitalized environments, MRP Planning is supported by Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) solutions, which utilize advanced algorithms to balance demand and capacity. APS-enabled MRP Planning generates achievable and optimized production schedules, helps manufacturers respond quickly and intelligently to unanticipated changes, and satisfies customer demands with minimized lead times.
MRP Planning must be conducted in manufacturing environments where the number of variants may be high and/or growing. This is because customers of many industrial sectors are demanding more and more diverse designs and new products tailored to their specific needs. MRP Planning in such conditions requires better predictive systems that enable both on-time delivery and efficient utilization of resources. As product portfolios diversify under stringent customer delivery requirements, APS-enabled MRP Planning may be used to help manufacturers meet demands with existing resources and staffing levels; or increase these assets prudently and with great efficiency.
MRP Planning, when it is implemented through an effective APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling) solution, helps manufacturers meet global customer requirements such as lead time reduction, improved resource utilization, identification of bottlenecks, and accurate prediction of resource requirements. With APS-enabled MRP Planning, manufacturers can compare different scheduling scenarios, improve productivity, and track and control inventory.
When implemented through an effective APS solution, MRP Planning enhances a manufacturers reputation with its customers as a reliable supplier. This enables manufacturers to position themselves as key solution providers and strategic partners with their customers.
Additional benefits: