Blog
Insights on production scheduling, lean manufacturing, and manufacturing software from 35+ years of industry experience.
Planning and scheduling practice that applies whichever system you run.
SaaS Scheduling Software Pricing Traps: Per-User, Per-Machine, Concurrent, and Named Licenses Explained
Understand the four SaaS pricing models for scheduling software, what they actually cost over 3–5 years, and how to calculate total cost of ownership before you sign.
How to Run a Scheduling Software Pilot: Test Before You Commit to Full Rollout
A practical guide for manufacturers on designing a scheduling software pilot that produces trustworthy results - and a clear go/no-go decision framework.
Scheduling Software Vendor Lock-In: How to Protect Your Data and Your Options
Discover the five forms of scheduling software vendor lock-in, the right questions to ask before signing, and how to protect your manufacturing operation.
Setup Family Sequencing: The Changeover Multiplier Every Job Shop Planner Needs
Grouping similar jobs by setup family cuts changeover time 30–50%. Learn setup matrix construction, sequence-dependent optimization, and SMED applied to scheduling decisions.
Closing the Loop: How Shop Floor Actuals Feed Back Into Your Production Schedule in Real Time
Learn how closed-loop scheduling uses shop floor actuals - run times, setup durations, downtime, and scrap - to continuously improve production schedule accuracy.
SKU Rationalization: How to Cut Product Complexity Without Hurting Sales
SKU rationalization reduces product complexity, improves margins, and simplifies production scheduling. Learn the process, metrics, and how to execute a rationalization program.
Standard Costing in Manufacturing: Variance Analysis and How Scheduling Improves Accuracy
Understand standard costing, variance analysis, and why scheduling software is essential for maintaining accurate standards and minimizing unfavorable cost variances.
Your Supplier Is Also Constrained: How to Model Supplier Capacity in Your Production Schedule
Learn how to model supplier capacity constraints in your production schedule to avoid late deliveries, reduce disruptions, and improve supply chain reliability.
Supply Chain Disruptions: Causes, Impacts, and Scheduling Strategies for Manufacturers
Learn how supply chain disruptions affect production scheduling and discover proven strategies to maintain schedule adherence when your supply chain breaks down.
Sustainable Manufacturing: Strategies for Reducing Waste, Energy, and Emissions
Discover how sustainable manufacturing reduces waste, cuts energy costs, and lowers emissions - and how production scheduling software drives greener factory operations.
TEEP vs. OEE: The Equipment Effectiveness Metric You're Not Measuring
Most manufacturers track OEE but ignore TEEP. Learn how Total Effective Equipment Performance reveals hidden capacity and drives smarter capital investment decisions.
When Tooling Is Your Bottleneck: Scheduling Tools, Fixtures, and Dies Like Machines
Most shops optimize machine schedules but ignore tooling constraints. Learn how to identify, model, and schedule fixtures, dies, and jigs to eliminate hidden capacity losses.