Bracknell-based
PSL Datatrack, a prominent UK-based provider of production control software, has introduced a new ‘Dual Scheduling’ feature to its modular options. This enhancement offers sub-contract precision engineering companies a simultaneous view of their production schedules, calculated by both capacity and target date.
A fundamental aspect of the new Dual Scheduling feature is its focus on machine availability, allowing for a realistic and practical assessment of what can be achieved in the workshop. This capacity-based approach offers a clear view of potential bottlenecks, ensuring a more robust and achievable production schedule is generated.
Dual Scheduling brings a host of advantages to PSL Datatrack users by taking multiple planning constraints into account. Including a view of the ‘Sequential Scheduler’ module calculated by target date now ensures that hours not scheduled are displayed and utilised effectively. This just-in-time (JIT) scheduling view maximises operational efficiency and eliminates wasted time on the shopfloor.
By utilising Dual Scheduling, users of the software therefore maintain an optimal balance between production and recovery time, avoiding any compromises that might affect overall productivity.
Detailed insightsPSL Datatrack has worked hard to ensure that both views are displayed side-by-side and can be set up anywhere around a factory via status boards, providing users with an all-encompassing view of their production landscape. An additional screen may be commissioned to provide detailed insights into late jobs, empowering businesses to promptly address issues and ultimately maintain customer satisfaction.
Jota Advanced Engineering Ltd, an enthusiastic user of PSL Datatrack, has emphasised the significance of the Dual Scheduling innovation. Director Ryan Goodger said: “We have been working with PSL Datatrack to manage all of our production capabilities and have recently collaborated with them to develop an extension to the software where we can ‘plan to capacity’ using Dual Scheduling. By integrating an ‘hours not scheduled by target date’ feature, the system can automatically schedule all relevant jobs further back in the production queue. This allows us to analyse the risk for the latest a job can be scheduled, as it gives full visibility of our capacity and any potential production gaps.”
The new Dual Scheduling feature therefore highlights PSL Datatrack’s commitment to streamlining the entire production process, empowering sub-contractors by enhancing operational efficiency and reliability throughout.
Mr Goodger concluded: “The system itself is logical, innovative and gives us the flexibility to reschedule jobs without missing a deadline. The visibility of the system has been tailored specifically to suit our needs and to help us grow and adapt.”