Production Scheduling Software for a multi-line Job Shop?

Question

I run a multi-line bottle filling company. We run multiple sizes and flavors. I need a program that will help my people schedule production on our machines.

Production Line #1 Job1: Clean, setup, fill Grape for 3 work days Job2: Clean, setup, fill Lime for 2 work days Job3: Clean, setup, fill Lemonade for 5 work days

If Job1 gets behind it needs to push out Job2 and Job3. It needs to skip weekends.

Something even more advanced would be if the software would see Production Line #2 was empty and would move a job over there.

I'd prefer something online but will settle for anything at this point!

Answer 1

Take a look at Microsoft Project Standard (not Pro). It does a lot more than what you'll need it for, but it will work. You can schedule your jobs as tasks and configure the working hours in the program to reflect your plant's operating hours.

Enter a top level task for each production line then enter your jobs as sub-tasks for the appropriate production line. Set each new job in a line to be dependent upon the completion of the last one and it will adjust the schedule automatically if, say, you need to lengthen the fill Lime job from 2 days to 4. You can move jobs between production lines and it can recalculate the start and end dates for the other tasks.

Answer 2

You may want to take a look at Preactor, an Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) tool. Preactor offers a free entry level version called Preactor Express that has included training videos. There are several Case Studies for the Food & Beverage sector.

You can find a list of other planning and scheduling tools at productionplanning.com.

Disclosure: I work for Preactor.