Resource Analysis and Optimization

Plan results from the order planning and master-planning run can be evaluated using plan analysis. The analysis consist of exception messages and performance indicators.

A signal represents a warning for the planner that a particular element; a date or quantity, deviates from the desired planning, which facilitates planning by exception, which limits the planning effort for the planner.

Exception messages can be defined by planner. A planner is responsible for a group of plan items and this results in exception messages that are only relevant to that particular planner. Exception messages can be prioritized by defining a time horizon in which they are generated and applying tolerances for each signal. This process customizes messaging for each planner.

More than 40 types of exception message are supported, such as reschedule-in, reschedule-out, and cancel order signals. Signals can apply to order planning, master planning, and to a plan item or a resource.

Exception messages created for planning orders in Enterprise Planning are processed after evaluation by the planner. For example: a reschedule-in signal that is processed changes the planned dates of the planned order to which the exception message applies. This process reduces the efforts for the planner. This functionality applies to planned orders only and not to actual orders.

Performance indicators translate a planning situation into the delivery performance, financial performance, capacity utilization performance and inventory level performance of the scenario, a plan item or a resource within that scenario. You can compare scenarios by using indicators.