RMDB vs PlanetTogether: APS Software Comparison (2026)

RMDB vs PlanetTogether is a comparison that often surfaces when manufacturers are evaluating dedicated Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software. Both tools are purpose-built for production scheduling — unlike ERP systems with bolt-on scheduling modules — but they target different segments of the manufacturing market. PlanetTogether focuses on mid-to-large enterprises with complex supply chains. RMDB serves small to mid-size manufacturers who need deep scheduling capability without enterprise-grade complexity and cost. This guide provides an honest, feature-by-feature comparison to help you determine which tool fits your operation.

For context on how both tools compare within the broader scheduling market, see our production scheduling software comparison guide.

Company Background

PlanetTogether

PlanetTogether is an APS vendor founded in 2002 with headquarters in Walnut Creek, California. The company has built a reputation in the mid-market and enterprise APS space, serving manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries. PlanetTogether's Galaxy APS platform emphasizes visual scheduling, supply chain integration, and AI-assisted optimization. The company has grown through ERP partnerships and positions itself as an ERP-agnostic scheduling layer.

RMDB by User Solutions

RMDB is developed by User Solutions, founded in 1991 with 35+ years in manufacturing scheduling software. RMDB is a finite capacity scheduling and planning system built specifically for small to mid-size manufacturers. The software is deployed across hundreds of facilities in industries including aerospace, defense, automotive, electronics, heavy equipment, and job shop machining. User Solutions takes a no-subscription, perpetual license approach.

Feature Comparison

Scheduling Capabilities: Both Go Deep

Unlike comparisons between RMDB and ERP-based tools, the scheduling depth of RMDB and PlanetTogether is more comparable. Both are true finite capacity scheduling systems built to handle real manufacturing complexity.

Where Both Excel

Both RMDB and PlanetTogether handle the core APS capabilities that differentiate dedicated scheduling tools from ERP add-ons:

• True finite capacity logic: Both model resource constraints accurately, preventing the overloading that plagues infinite capacity MRP systems.
• Multi-constraint optimization: Machine capacity, labor availability, tooling, and material constraints are all considered simultaneously.
• Visual Gantt scheduling: Both provide interactive Gantt charts where planners can visualize the schedule and make manual adjustments.
• What-if analysis: Both allow planners to test schedule scenarios before committing changes to production.
• Sequence-dependent setups: Both handle setup times that vary based on the sequence of jobs running on a machine — critical for reducing changeover waste.

Where PlanetTogether Has an Edge

PlanetTogether offers capabilities that primarily benefit larger, more complex operations:

• Multi-plant synchronization: PlanetTogether can schedule across multiple facilities with inter-plant transfer dependencies. RMDB focuses on single-plant scheduling.
• Supply chain planning integration: PlanetTogether's Galaxy platform connects scheduling with procurement and supplier lead times more natively.
• AI-assisted optimization: PlanetTogether has invested in machine learning algorithms that learn from historical patterns to improve scheduling recommendations over time.
• Industry-specific modules: PlanetTogether offers tailored configurations for food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and other regulated industries.

Where RMDB Has an Edge

RMDB delivers advantages that matter most to small and mid-size manufacturers:

• Implementation speed: RMDB's 5-day implementation gets manufacturers live in a single business week. PlanetTogether implementations typically span 3-6 months.
• Total cost of ownership: RMDB's one-time license model costs 80-90% less than PlanetTogether over five years for a typical small manufacturer.
• Simplicity without sacrificing power: RMDB provides sophisticated scheduling without requiring a dedicated IT team or months of training. The interface is designed for production planners, not software engineers.
• No subscription dependency: RMDB's perpetual license means you own the software outright. No recurring fees, no price escalation, no risk of access loss.
• 35+ years of scheduling expertise: Every implementation includes direct access to User Solutions' deep manufacturing scheduling knowledge — not just software training, but scheduling methodology.

Pricing: Dramatically Different Models

The cost difference between RMDB and PlanetTogether is one of the most significant factors for small to mid-size manufacturers.

PlanetTogether Pricing

PlanetTogether does not publish pricing publicly, which is common among enterprise APS vendors. Based on industry data and customer reports, typical costs include:

• License/subscription: $50,000-$200,000+ depending on modules, users, and plant count
• Implementation services: $30,000-$100,000+
• Annual maintenance/support: 18-22% of license cost
• Total first-year cost: $80,000-$300,000+ for a mid-size deployment

RMDB Pricing

• One-time license: $5,000-$15,000 depending on configuration
• Implementation: Included in the 5-day program
• Optional annual maintenance: A fraction of the license cost
• Total first-year cost: $5,000-$15,000 for a typical small manufacturer

5-Year Cost Comparison

For a manufacturer with 50 employees and 20 machines, the question is whether PlanetTogether's additional capabilities justify a cost premium of 6-12x over RMDB.

Implementation: One Week vs Several Months

Implementation speed is where the practical difference between RMDB and PlanetTogether is most visible.

RMDB: 5 Business Days

User Solutions' structured implementation program loads your actual production data — jobs, routings, resources, and orders — into RMDB and has planners running real schedules by end of week one. This is possible because RMDB is focused specifically on scheduling and integrates with your existing ERP rather than replacing any part of your technology stack. The compressed timeline means minimal disruption and immediate value generation.

PlanetTogether: 3-6+ Months

PlanetTogether implementations follow a more traditional enterprise software rollout: discovery and scoping (2-4 weeks), data mapping and integration setup (4-8 weeks), configuration and testing (4-8 weeks), user training and go-live (2-4 weeks). For complex deployments with multiple plants or extensive ERP integration, timelines can extend to 12 months or more.

The longer timeline reflects PlanetTogether's broader scope and deeper integration requirements. It is not a criticism of PlanetTogether's implementation quality — enterprise APS deployments inherently require more time. The question is whether your operation needs that level of complexity.

When PlanetTogether Is the Better Choice

PlanetTogether makes sense when:

• You operate multiple plants that need synchronized scheduling with inter-plant dependencies.
• Your company has 200+ employees and the budget, IT resources, and organizational patience for a multi-month implementation.
• Supply chain integration is critical and you need native connections between scheduling, procurement, and supplier management.
• You need AI-driven optimization that learns from historical patterns across large datasets.
• You are in a regulated industry (pharmaceutical, food safety) where PlanetTogether's industry-specific modules add value.

When RMDB Is the Better Choice

RMDB is the stronger fit when:

• You are a small to mid-size manufacturer (10-500 employees) who needs powerful scheduling without enterprise costs and complexity.
• Scheduling is your primary problem. If you already have an ERP handling inventory, procurement, and financials, you do not need another enterprise platform. You need better scheduling.
• Budget matters. At 80-90% less than PlanetTogether over five years, RMDB delivers the scheduling depth most small manufacturers need at a price that makes financial sense.
• Speed matters. A 5-day implementation vs 3-6 months is a significant difference when late deliveries are costing you customers right now.
• You want to own your software. The perpetual license means no subscription treadmill and complete data control.
• You run a job shop or make-to-order operation where scheduling complexity is high but plant count is one.

Honest Assessment: It Is About Fit, Not Better or Worse

PlanetTogether is a capable, well-established APS platform that has earned its reputation among mid-to-large manufacturers. For operations that need multi-plant synchronization, supply chain integration, and AI-driven optimization, PlanetTogether delivers genuine value.

RMDB is a purpose-built scheduling solution that delivers comparable scheduling depth for single-plant operations at a fraction of the cost and implementation time. For the thousands of small to mid-size manufacturers who need finite capacity scheduling, visual planning, and what-if analysis without a six-figure investment, RMDB is the more practical choice.

The right tool depends on your size, complexity, budget, and timeline. We encourage you to evaluate both.

Frequently Asked Questions

See How RMDB Compares With Your Data

The most meaningful comparison uses your own production data. Contact User Solutions to schedule a demo with your actual jobs, routings, and constraints. With our 5-day implementation, you can be running real schedules before a typical PlanetTogether implementation finishes its discovery phase. Request a demo today.