Manufacturing planning and control

Manufacturing planning and control orchestrates production operations ensuring timely availability of resources, efficient processes, and on-time delivery through digital tools, data management, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

What is manufacturing planning and control?

Through manufacturing planning and control, a manufacturer ensures that the right raw materials in the right quantities are in the right place for production operations as scheduled, that personnel and equipment are where they need to be when they need to be there, and that manufacturing operations occur efficiently and productively. The result of successful manufacturing planning and control is on-time delivery of efficiently produced goods. Manufacturing planning software is a critical component of an advanced planning and scheduling (APS) solution (see advanced planning software).

Although manufacturing planning and control has been performed within manufacturing companies for as long as such companies have existed, demands on today's manufacturers warrant a digital approach to manufacturing planning and control.

Manufacturing planning and control software enables manufacturers to author and implement comprehensive plans that link products, operations, resources, and facilities to run their enterprise more efficiently. Manufacturing planning and control software uses product and process digital twins to create and simulate detailed steps for manufacturing processes, moving manufacturing operations toward error-free production. Manufacturing planning and control software connects people, systems and machines via a digital thread, which enables manufacturers to accumulate and re-use knowledge for continuous improvement.

Related Products: Opcenter Advanced Planning | Opcenter Advanced Scheduling

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Understand the benefits

Manufacturing planning and control systems digitally reconcile information previously maintained by disparate systems like engineering and manufacturing bills of materials (BOMs). It lets you leverage connected information to foster collaboration, standardization and integration.

Provides full visibility and control

Integrate data from various sources, allowing real-time monitoring and management of production processes and resources.

Faster production implementation

Automate workflows, optimize resource allocation, and streamline coordination between different departments, resulting in quicker response to changes and smoother execution of production plans.

Increase utilization

Optimize resource allocation, minimize idle time, and maximize capacity utilization through efficient scheduling of production activities.

Reduce costs and Increase margins

Streamline processes and minimize waste, thereby increasing margins through improved efficiency and profitability.

Create leaner operations

Automate workflows, optimize resource allocation, and facilitate real-time monitoring, allowing for agile responses to changes and continuous improvement, ultimately leading to streamlined processes and cost savings.

Better inventory management

Streamlining production timelines and resource distribution to minimize surplus inventory, while ensuring timely availability of raw materials for production.

Planning and control software applications

Several types and aspects of manufacturing operations are supported by manufacturing planning and control software:

Assembly manufacturing is supported by manufacturing planning and control software to plan, optimize and validate assembly operations before production, and to control manufacturing processes. Manufacturing planning software manages tasks from planning and detailed engineering to shop floor execution. It helps to automate and streamline assembly manufacturing.

Geographic-based manufacturing information access is provided through manufacturing planning and control software for navigation, access, and visualization of up-to-date manufacturing information, using a digital twin of production facilities wherever they are located.

Manufacturing data and process management uses manufacturing planning and control software and a digital thread to connect people, systems, and machines, as well as to accumulate and manage manufacturing data and process knowledge. This intelligence enables manufacturers to engage in continuous process improvement.

Part manufacturing operations use manufacturing planning and control software to make higher quality parts faster by digitalizing production management. As part of manufacturing planning efforts, advanced software may be used to design tooling and fixtures and to drive CNC machine tools, robots, 3D printers, and inspection equipment.

Production systems engineering is supported by manufacturing planning and control software to engineer better production systems faster. Manufacturing planning and control software integrates engineering, automation, and controls to help create and operate more efficient factories.