Anchor name: #overview

Optimize production operations with production planning software

Streamline your manufacturing operations across sites, optimizing within critical constraints such as capacity, tools, inventory targets and shelf life. Build realistic, feasible plans for efficient production, on-time delivery, and reduced costs.

Request a Demo

How to Exceed Inventory and Production Goals in 2025

View Now
 Anchor name: #benefits

Key Benefits of Production Planning

Reduce Costs

Lower production costs by minimizing waste, optimizing resource utilization, and reducing labor costs.

Boost Efficiency

Adapt production plans quickly to changes in demand or unforeseen events, staying flexible and responsive.

Improve Customer Service

Ensure that products are delivered on time, meeting customer expectations and improving customer satisfaction.

 Anchor name: #capabilities

Key Capabilities to Maximize Profitability, Simplify Sourcing

Constraint based optimization

Synchronize materials flow and resource utilization across multistage, multisite production environments respecting all required constraints.

Visibility

QAD’s solution provides visibility to your planner via intuitive planning workbenches for improving bottleneck identification and management.

Simulation

Perform what-if scenarios and simulation planning to easily assess the impact of changes to capacity, run rate/efficiency or alternate demand plans.

Planning methodologies

Leverage various methods including finite capacity, APS/MRPII for forecast driven planning, lean manufacturing/Kanban for automotive, theory of constraints and others.

 Anchor name: #case-studies
 Anchor name: #faq

Frequently Asked Questions

How does production planning compare to production scheduling?

While production planning provides an overview of what the company plans to do, production scheduling creates a more detailed view of exactly how the company will do it. The production schedule describes when each step in the production plan will occur, as well as the workers, machinery and other specific resources assigned to the job. Production scheduling can be extremely complex, especially when there are many interdependent production steps and the company is making multiple products simultaneously.

What is the role of production planning?

To maintain a smooth and efficient production process, delivering products on time, production planning is essential. It guarantees all required preparations are finalized before production commences, enabling your business to ensure that operations run efficiently.

What are some common challenges with production planning?

Managing production effectively involves navigating several key challenges. Demand uncertainty makes it difficult to accurately predict product needs, potentially leading to costly overstocking or insufficient inventory that halts production. Resource constraints, such as limited materials, equipment, or skilled labor, can cause delays and drive up costs. Scheduling complexity arises from the need to coordinate tasks, machinery, and personnel to meet deadlines, with any disruption leading to inefficiencies. Supply chain disruptions, caused by external factors like supplier delays or natural disasters, can impede the timely arrival of essential materials. Finally, quality control issues pose a challenge in maintaining consistent product standards throughout the manufacturing process, which can result in defective goods.