Master Production Scheduling (MPS)

The Master Production Scheduling & Forecasting module is designed to work intrinsically with the Material Requirements Planning module where suitable product structures and company operating processes exist. The module can be run based on external forecasts seamlessly imported.

The system consumes forecasts based on user defined rules. The schedule of manufactured items usually created to fill 'outside' demand from demand forecasts, customer orders and other orders that specifies the exact item numbers, dates and quantities for production but is not in itself a production order to be released to the floor. It considers the high-level production plan and aligns with management targets for linearity and permissible level of changes.

Once accepted, the MPS specifies the date and quantity requirements used by MRP to explode demand through the bill of materials. While most often for end items, variations of MPS allow planning critical lower levels such as major subassemblies based on a forecast that is then consumed by customer orders for finished goods that require those subassemblies.

The system holds an unlimited amount of historical sales data, which is recorded automatically as sales orders are entered and processed.

The MPS is the main driver for the rest of the planning and scheduling system, and the level of success in attaining a realistic MPS needs to be complimented by an integrated solution. ABS provides such a solution, that is modular and highly user-configurable, providing companies with the ability to change their business processes readily should the market dictate.

A key requirement in accurate forecasting is detailed records of historical demand. The system holds an unlimited amount of historical sales data, which is recorded automatically as your sales orders are entered and processed.

Plans

Sets up Working Plans for a projected period and includes Forward and Backward Consumption. The Plan can be split into user-definable periods and generate Planning BOM's to include any number of levels of Aggregation e.g. Area, Branch, Product Group etc. Additional Plans can be generated as "What if Scenarios" to provide an outlook on different marketing campaigns, seasonal changes and growth forecasts. Schedules can be updated to accommodate changes in any given level or the whole plan.

Features and Benefits

• Calculation - uses simple exponential smoothing. The user determines smoothing factors to give the most appropriate forecast accuracy
• Multiple Plans - multiple 'what-if' scenarios can be run to assess different plans and evaluate potential changes, but only the actual plan will be used to generate Planned MPS Orders.
• Optional Rolling Plans - based on user-defined horizon period, enables more accurate demand planning.
• Multiple Plan Levels - grouping individual products provides a sanity check and ensures that trends are measurable.
• Product Mix Percentages - incorporates Business Intelligence.
• Forecast Aggregation/Disaggregate - takes account of the best trends – particularly useful when reasonable forecast accuracy can only be achieved at a group level.
• Two Safety Stock Methods - ensures inventory costs are optimised.
• MPS Planned Orders - order generation always complies with product order rules and constraints. It is possible to run a net-change MPS only. Product not designated as MPS items may be controlled by normal MRP procedure. A time-fence can be set to restrict generation of MPS Planned Orders.
• Demand Forecast Calculation - optional seasonal trends by product provides greater accuracy.
• Special Forecast - evaluates the impact of external factors such as promotions and special events.
• Projected Stock Visibility - consolidates all information in one function.
• Flexible Ordering Patterns (MRP Functionality) - ensures in-built agility.
• Auto-Generated Planned Orders - reduces manual data entry.
• Clear Ownership 'Planning' to 'Ordering' - effective process management.