A survey on detailed production scheduling in manufacturing plants in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Production scheduling. Finite capacity systems. APS. MRP. ERP.Due to the instability of markets and the intense competition among companies, detailed scheduling has increasingly become a challenge to management. Companies that focus on the improvement of PPC activities demand tools to meet their needs, such as the finite capacity scheduling tool, also known as Advanced Planning and Scheduling System (APS) to improve delivery times, effective scheduling, and control of the firmed order. This paper aims to identify the needs and difficulties of the detailed production scheduling, the critical factors for implementation, and the benefits that the advanced scheduling systems (APS) can provide. The method used was a survey of companies affiliated to the Federation of Industries of São Paulo (FIESP). The results showed that the detailed production scheduling is a complex activity for most companies, especially for those that adopt make to order strategy (MTO). The majority of companies surveyed use the MRP planning model, but their goals can be more easily achieved with the use of advanced programming systems (APS). Financial costs and lack of training are still limiting factors to implementing those systems.