Q: How do we deal with the situation in the plant where confirmed orders and forecast orders are moving along mixed together?

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A: Take a look at the Line-connected order production and purchase diagram." (previous page). In this diagram we can schedule ordered production as well as forecast production. The Advanced Planning and Scheduling System is able to schedule mixed statuses for products already ordered and for those forecasted to be produced. The system can deal with any of the cases below with no problem.

・Products test products as part of a mix with forecast production
・Long-term delivery purchase products used by ordered products
・Forecast production parts used in ordered products
・The same parts are used in forecast products as are used in ordered products
・Forecast products became ordered products
・Ordered products become forecast products

The actual situation in many plants is that forecast production and ordered production are mixed together. The Advanced Planning and Scheduling System draws lines between MTO (make-to-order)、manufacturing orders and purchase orders and by scheduling the entirety allows scheduling that includes all production patterns such as ordered production and forecast production.

In achieving a mix of ordered and forecast production the important thing is that the sequence for deciding the schedule is not limited to orders then manufactures and then purchases. Deciding certain parts of manufacturing also effects purchase and shipping. In fact the Advanced Planning and Scheduling System can handle orders manufactures purchases and inventory in the "Line-connected Orders Production and Purchases Diagram" no matter what order they are decided in.

This structure allows the Advanced Planning and Scheduling System to handle any production pattern or production situation.

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MTO and the Advanced Planning and Scheduling System

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