Scheduling features

The scheduling engine

Orders can be put in schedule directly or in batch mode in totality or pre-selected order.

In batch mode the orders are ordered on the ganged priority and released in the scheduling engine.

The scheduling engine treats all orders with the same method, the method is very complex and we choose not to reveal the technique here.

The engine respects all the constraints defined for the order and finally proposes the best ending date for each in-line resources combination.

Choosing the appropriated process path

During the scheduling phases, sched examines all the resources allocation combinations defined and stored in a specific file detailed for each operation.

When done, Sched provides the way to retain the best combination automatically according to a defined heuristics or proposes the user to choose one (all placements are showed to the user for each operation).

For each process, users can define the heuristics between several predefined ones (note Grandjean consult could provide another on demand).

The earliest ending date

The process flow is achieved as close as possible to the earliest starting date boundary

The lowest engine time cost

A time cost (for one hour) could be defined for each resource.
Sched will add all time costs for each operation, and will determine a final process time cost.
The flow with best time cost will be retained

The lowest operator's time cost
Idem, but only the operator's time cost is considered.

The lowest time cost

The lowest translation time
Periods of time (number of time cells) between the first and the last operation

Final choice - the best placement - The order scheduling reports

When scheduling ends, sched proposes 2 statistic reports for the order, one by combination and one by operation.

If the process has two in-line resources alternatives with 5 operations, and 2 of them have 3 no-lines resources alternatives, the order scheduling report will show 23 lines; the best chosen lines are shown in red.
Note that the reports are always created for every order and could be examined with insight
If the operator has chosen scheduling with choices, sched asks the operator to give the final in-line resources combination to choose. If not, the combination with the closing ending date is kept.

After choice, sched compiles information from isam files (the engine works on fast isam), marks all time cells for each resource.

Examining scheduling results on individual orders

When scheduling occurred on an order, a lot of information could be examined directly in the order card. Starting date, ending date, time exceeded.

Operators can also see the resources used (with each retained skill) for each time cell from the beginning to the end.

Examining the scheduling reports

The 2 scheduling reports supply statistics information which could be interesting in case of incomprehensible placement.

A lines log is written for each in-line resources combination, for each operation in line resources combination and for each no-line resource combination of each operation.

Each line provides a lot of interesting counters and information, beginning/ending date/time, number of reinitializations (operations can not be placed in one continuing line and thus have been moved forward), translation due to no-line resources, translation due to no-line resources, id of critical no-line resources or skills, id of critical in-line resources or skills, overflowing horizon.

Removing scheduling

At any time the operator can remove the scheduling for an order freeing all relates time cells.

Examining the main board after batch scheduling

The excel main order board collects synthetic information concerning the last scheduling process.

Scheduling Time

The following chart, based on process examples in evaluation, could give a good idea.

Benchmark conditions :
1) PC AMD Athlon xp 2400 mgz 20 gigas free
2) Total orders : 250
3) Orders distribution