What to Look For With Job Scheduling In An ERP

Managing your entire project lifestyle through a single platform

Scheduling is a complex process in the manufacturing industry. One miscalculation can throw out the whole job schedule, meaning missed deadlines and unhappy customers.

Savvy manufacturers use job scheduling software to reduce that margin of error and automate tasks that used to take up so much time:

• Tracking inventory
• Planning employee schedules
• Monitoring equipment capacity
• Calculating delivery deadlines
• Job status overview

Features and functionality to look for in an integrated job scheduler

VISUAL SCHEDULING SYSTEM

Agenda screens are the most efficient way to keep staff on track and move from one job to the next without delays. If your shop still uses a whiteboard to display the day’s agenda, it’s time to look at upgrading to an ERP with job scheduling functionality.

Resource management

Automatically organise all the moving parts: staff, materials, equipment, space, delivery logistics and back-office support. Integrating scheduling software with a comprehensive ERP means all your systems talk to one another for seamless resource management and stock control.

Capacity planning

In manufacturing, capacity planning is a moving feast at the best of times. But with a centralised system tracking staff and equipment capacity, you can confidently schedule work without worrying about overtime hours or overloaded machinery.

Flexible scheduling

Job schedulers should work forwards and backwards at the same time. That means:

• Defining the delivery date based on the start date you input
• Estimating the start date based on the delivery date you define

There’s no need to guess at job timelines. Job scheduling functionality does the calculations for you, so the work always gets done on time.

Finite and infinite scheduling

Some resources, like tools and vehicles, are finite; they have a fixed capacity. Other resources can flex; people can work overtime, and teams can work concurrently. Job scheduling software should know the difference between the two and plan accordingly.

Routing

Routing functionality moves a job from one stage to the next in the production process. A smart job management software will schedule the correct sequence of steps so you can track the job without needing to move things along manually.

Job status and destination

Not all jobs go straight to the customer. Destination tracking tied to job status management allows you to keep a close eye on where the finished product ends up – as inventory, a delivered product, sub-assembly or intermediate step in a longer process.

Get the best of both worlds with Jobman

Jobman is a manufacturing ERP with integrated job scheduling that cleverly streamlines every stage of every job. Our software is designed to manage complex shop floor schedules, and reduce the manual hours needed to move jobs along.

Jobman makes production more transparent, flexible and efficient. Explore the full features on our website, or get in touch for a detailed run-through of the leading manufacturing ERP with built-in job scheduling functionality.