What makes the scheduling system so easy to use is that job dates and priorities are automatically adjusted without any need for manual intervention. Therefore, the overall schedule always reflects actual conditions on the ground.
Jobs cannot be started until material is available
Actual job start dates vary from planned start dates because jobs are often dependent on material supply from inbound POs and subassembly jobs. Jobs are released to production only when material becomes available. So if an inbound PO or subassembly job is running late, dependent jobs must be delayed until the PO or job is received.
Job finish dates get adjusted with job release
When material is available and a job gets released, it is assigned a new finish date relative to its actual released date This establishes a new and reliable supply date for the item. If conditions change during production that delays your job, you can manually update the Finish Date in the Job Schedule screen to update the new expected supply date.
Jobs are automatically prioritized in work center queues
Each job gets a priority value based on estimated job days remaining relative to the job’s finished date. Job sequences are listed in job priority order within work center queues so that jobs are automatically expedited as needed. Jobs that are trending late relative to their required dates automatically receive higher priority than jobs trending early or on time.
Job priority requires timely job labor completions
Be aware that job priority is only meaningful when job labor is updated as sequences are finished. This process has many efficiency benefits, which are explained in detail in our Manufacturing Efficiency Guide.
Link:
Essential #6 - Track Job Labor
Late Supply screen improves communication between the shop and the office
When a job is running late and is released for production the finish date (supply date) is moved outward. When the finish date is greater than the sales order requirement date this job will show up in the Sales > Late Supply screen. This will immediately let the office know which jobs are running late and they can update the Expected Ship date and contact the customer if appropriate.
Use the Picking Manager to ensure that you are following your plan
The Sales > Picking Manager screen allocates your stock on hand in priority order to ensure that you are staying on time across all sales orders company wide.
