Advanced Planning and Scheduling

The realm of advanced planning and scheduling encompasses two components: sophisticated decision-support tools and strategic planning. Together, they enable simulation of procurement, production, and logistics activities in conjunction with both material and capacity constraints. Successful business leaders use APS tools and techniques to proactively process data about demand and supply expectations—to synchronize their operational processes so they may efficiently and cost-effectively receive, produce, and distribute the materials necessary to fulfill their customers' demands.

When market demand surges, APS strategies and technologies help businesses keep pace. When demand ebbs, APS helps organizations remain competitive by staying lean yet responsive.

At Plan4Demand we never profess to be "all things to all people," but one key area in which our professionals do specialize is APS—the foundation of a highly effective supply chains.

Key Benefits of APS

• Faster planning supports what-if analysis and near real-time decision support
• Web-based collaboration enables businesses to engage suppliers as true partners, dynamically apprising them of material requirements and demand fluctuations
• Real-time ATP data provides distributors and customers with "concrete" Available-to-Promise delivery information and dramatically improve customer satisfaction levels
• Reality-based plans supply actual capacity and material constraint data to help business leaders set the stage for maximum throughput and increased on-time delivery
• Improved forecast accuracy drives down your costs for inventory and materials
• More predictable operations smooth the flow of overall processes and improve your ability to meet scheduled requirements
• Better deployment boosts customer service levels by making sure your clients get the products they need, when and where they need them most