Production planning methodology in hybrid systems

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present a methodology of resource planning under deterministic constraints. Most small and medium-sized enterprises are representatives of the MTO group. This results from a shorter product life time due to the changing expectations of customers. This, in turn, contributes to the separation of R & D departments in organizational structures of enterprises and close cooperation between industry and research units specializing in the field of operation of a given producer. More and more products are designed to be unique so as to suit client's requirements. Similarly, the process of manufacturing such a product will be unique. From the point of view of management, the preparation of production and the production itself in this case has more features of a project-type task than typical production. Many enterprises, in particular small and medium-sized ones, the activity of which is flexible in terms of the offered products create a hybrid system encompassing series production, single-batch production and projects. The article presents a new approach to the topic of scheduling in such hybrid systems combining MTS, Projects and MTO. The presented method of scheduling is based on the assumptions of the Theory of Constraints. In small and medium-sized enterprises, which fight for every order, it is necessary to use production scheduling methods that are characterized by flexibility, transparency and reasonably low labour intensity, taking into account numerous resource constraints involved in production in a hybrid system. In this system we face a decision-making process which forces us to answer the question: can a new order be accepted to be fulfilled in a strictly defined deadline.