Applying Analytics to Production Scheduling

Manufacturers have long relied on spreadsheets and manual data entry for production scheduling. However, these methods can often lead to inefficiencies and missed delivery deadlines. MachineMetrics Production Schedule Intelligence addresses these challenges by integrating real-time data and predictive analytics into the scheduling process. Production Schedule Intelligence achieves this by connecting directly to ERP systems and machines on the factory floor and applying data synchronization and real-time monitoring of production to ensure schedules are current and reflect actual shop floor conditions.

“Manufacturers need automated, actionable insights that guide decision-making,” said Bill Bither, CEO and co-founder at MachineMetrics. “By connecting systems like ERP with real-time machine data, MachineMetrics Production Intelligence has solved this crucial problem, helping our customers gain real-time visibility into the status of their work orders, reducing WIP [work in process], adapting their schedules on the fly and, ultimately, delivering on time every time.”

Key features of MachineMetrics Production Schedule Intelligence include:

• Dynamic schedule optimization: Continuously assesses and adjusts production schedules based on real-time operational data, dynamically adapting the schedule to address machine downtimes and other production interruptions.
• Real-time adjustments: Visualizes your scheduled OTD (on-time delivery) targets and predicts completion dates in real-time. Managers will know exactly when a job will be done and can receive alerts when there is risk of missing OTD, allowing them to take action to intervene where necessary. 
• Interactive production order management: Users can edit and re-sequence production orders through a drag-and-drop interface, with immediate feedback on schedule health.
• Real-time impact analysis: The system flags potential delays and adjusts work-in-process calculations dynamically, enabling proactive schedule management and empowering plant managers to make smart decisions based on real data.
• ERP data utilization: Integrates with ERP systems, with no custom code needed, to use planned start dates and cycle times as reliable baselines for adjustments.
• Labor ticket entry: Automatically populate labor tickets with machine data to track production orders and part operations without manual data entry.
• Anomaly detection: Receive automated alerts when a tool anomaly is detected to prevent tool breaks and reduce scrap. No additional sensors are required.
• Configurable dashboards: Build custom dashboards in seconds. Mix and match charts, reports and widgets to support any team’s KPIs.
• Production analytics: Go beyond machine data into production analytics, slicing data by part operations, completed work and in-progress work.