# Best Production Scheduling Software - 2026 Reviews & Pricing > Find the best Manufacturing Production Planning & Scheduling Software for your organization. Compare top Manufacturing Production Planning & Scheduling Software systems with customer reviews, pricing, and free demos. Source: https://www.softwareadvice.com/za/manufacturing/production-planning-scheduling-software-comparison --- [Home](https://www.softwareadvice.com/) / Production Scheduling Software Software Advice offers objective insights based on verified user reviews and independent product and market research. When our advisors match you to a software provider, we may earn a referral fee. # Best Production Scheduling Software of 2026 Updated July 7, 2026 On this page 1. FrontRunners 2. Popular Comparisons 3. Buyers Guide 4. Related Software Filter products 168 results ### Compare Products Showing 1 - 25 of 168 products #### Company Size - Self-Employed - 2-10 - 11-50 - 51-200 - 201-500 - 501-1000 - 1000+ #### Pricing Options - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ ### Compare Products Sort by **Recommendations**: Sorts listings by the number of recommendations our advisors have made over the past 30 days. Our advisors assess buyers’ needs for free and only recommend products that meet buyers’ needs. Vendors pay Software Advice for these referrals. **Reviews**: Sorts listings by the number of user reviews we have published, greatest to least. **Average Rating**: Sorts listings by overall star rating based on user reviews, highest to lowest. **Alphabetically (A-Z)**: Sorts listings by product name from A to Z. [NetSuite](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/) NetSuite is an AI-powered cloud-based business management suite that incorporates ERP, financial management, CRM and eCommerce f...[Read more about NetSuite](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/) **4.2** ([2050 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/reviews/)) **114** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations BambooHR Microsoft Outlook +18 more +17 more +16 more NetSuite's Best Rated Features 5.0"What If" Scenarios See All NetSuite's Worst Rated Features Order Processing See All [JobBOSS²](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/jobboss2-profile/) JobBOSS² is a job shop management software designed for custom manufacturers and machine shops. It supports make-to-order manufa...[Read more about JobBOSS²](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/jobboss2-profile/) **4.2** ([865 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/jobboss2-profile/reviews/)) **52** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations QuickBooks Online Advanced KnowledgeSync +13 more +12 more +11 more JobBOSS²'s Best Rated Features 5.0Access Controls/Permissions See All JobBOSS²'s Worst Rated Features Job Tracking See All [SyteLine](https://www.softwareadvice.com/erp/infor-syteline-profile/) SyteLine is an enterprise resource planning software created specifically for engineer-to-order, make-to-order, make-to-stock, a...[Read more about SyteLine](https://www.softwareadvice.com/erp/infor-syteline-profile/) **3.8** ([68 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/erp/infor-syteline-profile/reviews/)) **38** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Infor OS Track Vacation Rental PMS +1 more +0 more +0 more SyteLine's Best Rated Features 5.0Scheduling See All SyteLine's Worst Rated Features 1.0Supplier Management See All [Kinetic](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/kinetic-profile/) Epicor Kinetic is a cloud-first manufacturing enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for companies that need one platform to ...[Read more about Kinetic](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/kinetic-profile/) **3.8** ([175 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/kinetic-profile/reviews/)) **35** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Phocas Epicor CPQ +12 more +11 more +10 more Kinetic's Best Rated Features 5.0Task Management See All Kinetic's Worst Rated Features Third-Party Integrations See All [HYDRA X](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/hydra-mes-profile/) Now more than ever before, executives and other leaders in US manufacturing companies need the best information and controls to ...[Read more about HYDRA X](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/hydra-mes-profile/) **4.2** ([5 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/hydra-mes-profile/#reviews)) **33** recommendations Free trial Free version HYDRA X's Best Rated Features 5.0Status Tracking See All HYDRA X's Worst Rated Features 3.0Forecasting See All [QT9 ERP](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/qt9erp-profile/) QT9 ERP is a highly-scalable manufacturing platform for connecting and automating business data from multiple systems into one s...[Read more about QT9 ERP](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/qt9erp-profile/) **4.9** ([19 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/qt9erp-profile/reviews/)) **21** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Microsoft Outlook QuickBooks Online Advanced +1 more +0 more +0 more QT9 ERP's Best Rated Features 5.0Point of Sale (POS) See All QT9 ERP's Worst Rated Features Sales Reports See All [MRPeasy](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mrpeasy-profile/) MRPeasy is a versatile cloud-based ERP system for small and scaling companies (perfect for up to 200 employees). The software of...[Read more about MRPeasy](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mrpeasy-profile/) **4.5** ([168 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mrpeasy-profile/reviews/)) **21** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Dropbox Business Xero +13 more +12 more +11 more MRPeasy's Best Rated Features 5.0Shipping Management See All MRPeasy's Worst Rated Features Drag & Drop See All [Odoo](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/odoo-profile/) Odoo is a comprehensive, open-source suite of business applications designed to cater to the diverse needs of companies of all s...[Read more about Odoo](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/odoo-profile/) **4.2** ([1314 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/odoo-profile/reviews/)) **20** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Instagram Stripe +13 more +12 more +11 more Odoo 's Best Rated Features 5.0Retail POS See All Odoo 's Worst Rated Features Production Scheduling See All [Deltek Costpoint](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/deltek-costpoint-profile/) Deltek Costpoint is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) and management solution designed to meet the requirements of midsize a...[Read more about Deltek Costpoint](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/deltek-costpoint-profile/) **3.9** ([215 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/deltek-costpoint-profile/reviews/)) **17** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Deltek GovWin IQ +0 more +0 more +0 more Deltek Costpoint's Best Rated Features 5.0Compliance Management See All Deltek Costpoint's Worst Rated Features Contractor Database See All [Visibility ERP](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/visibility-profile/) Visibility ERP is a fully integrated and modern ERP solution designed to meet the unique needs of manufacturers of complex produ...[Read more about Visibility ERP](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/visibility-profile/) **4.5** ([12 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/visibility-profile/#reviews)) **11** recommendations Free trial Free version Visibility ERP's Best Rated Features 5.0Material Requirements Planning See All Visibility ERP's Worst Rated Features 3.50Supply Chain Management See All [REALTRAC](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/realtrac-profile/) Company Overview Realtrac is a manufacturing ERP and shop management software provider serving machine shops, job shops, contra...[Read more about REALTRAC](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/realtrac-profile/) **4.2** ([75 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/realtrac-profile/reviews/)) **9** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations QuickBooks Desktop QuickBooks Online Advanced +2 more +1 more +0 more REALTRAC's Best Rated Features 5.0Time Tracking See All REALTRAC's Worst Rated Features Change Order Management See All [Evocon](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/evocon-profile/) Evocon is an OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) solution designed to help businesses within the manufacturing industry to mon...[Read more about Evocon](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/evocon-profile/) **4.8** ([82 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/evocon-profile/reviews/)) **8** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Microsoft Power BI Pylon +3 more +2 more +1 more Evocon's Best Rated Features 5.0Barcode/Ticket Scanning See All Evocon's Worst Rated Features Inventory Management See All [FactoryLogix](https://www.softwareadvice.com/capa/factorylogix-profile/) FactoryLogix is a manufacturing solution suitable for businesses of all sizes. Key features include manufacturing execution, qua...[Read more about FactoryLogix](https://www.softwareadvice.com/capa/factorylogix-profile/) **4.8** ([15 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/capa/factorylogix-profile/reviews/)) **8** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Arena PLM +0 more +0 more +0 more [MIE Trak Pro](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mie-trak-pro-profile/) One word sums up MIE Trak Pro: flexibility. You may be using tired old spreadsheets or an ERP system that can't scale with your ...[Read more about MIE Trak Pro](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mie-trak-pro-profile/) **4.6** ([155 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mie-trak-pro-profile/reviews/)) **6** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations authorize.net Workbooks +11 more +10 more +9 more MIE Trak Pro's Best Rated Features 5.0Forecasting See All MIE Trak Pro's Worst Rated Features Production Scheduling See All [MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mastercontrol-manufacturing-excellence-profile/) MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence (Mx) is an AI-driven digital manufacturing platform made to help life sciences manufactur...[Read more about MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mastercontrol-manufacturing-excellence-profile/) **4.6** ([186 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mastercontrol-manufacturing-excellence-profile/reviews/)) **3** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations MuleSoft Anypoint Platform MasterControl Quality Excellence +1 more +0 more +0 more MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence's Best Rated Features 5.0Monitoring See All MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence's Worst Rated Features Project Management See All [PolyPM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/polypm-profile/) PolyPM was created by Polygon Software, a provider of technology solutions for apparel manufacturers and textile mills since 200...[Read more about PolyPM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/polypm-profile/) **4.6** ([37 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/polypm-profile/reviews/)) **2** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations QuickBooks Online Advanced Sage 50 Accounting +9 more +8 more +7 more PolyPM's Best Rated Features 5.0Inventory Management See All PolyPM's Worst Rated Features 3.0CRM See All [Wrike](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/wrike-profile/) Wrike is the trusted work delivery platform where AI extends what people can accomplish. By centralizing all work in one governe...[Read more about Wrike](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/wrike-profile/) **4.4** ([3022 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/wrike-profile/reviews/)) **2** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Marketo Engage Campaign Monitor by Marigold +125 more +124 more +123 more Wrike's Best Rated Features 5.0IT Reporting See All Wrike's Worst Rated Features Spreadsheet View See All [ProShop ERP](https://www.softwareadvice.com/erp/proshop-profile/) ProShop is a machine shop and manufacturing process management solution designed for small and midsize manufacturers. It offers ...[Read more about ProShop ERP](https://www.softwareadvice.com/erp/proshop-profile/) **4.8** ([113 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/erp/proshop-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations QuickBooks Online QuickBooks Online Advanced +2 more +1 more +0 more ProShop ERP's Best Rated Features 5.0Material Requirements Planning See All ProShop ERP's Worst Rated Features 2.0Production Scheduling See All [Fusion Operations](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/393147-Fusion-Operations/) Fusion Operations is a manufacturing execution system that provides real-time data for production management. It helps manufactu...[Read more about Fusion Operations](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/393147-Fusion-Operations/) **4.7** ([85 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/393147-Fusion-Operations/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Zapier QuickBooks Online Advanced +4 more +3 more +2 more Fusion Operations's Best Rated Features 5.0Inventory Tracking See All Fusion Operations's Worst Rated Features 3.0Customizable Fields See All [Simio](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/simio-profile/) Simio is a cloud-based and on-premise production planning and simulation solution designed to help aerospace, healthcare, manufa...[Read more about Simio](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/simio-profile/) **4.7** ([104 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/simio-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Microsoft Azure +0 more +0 more +0 more Simio's Best Rated Features 5.0Design Analysis See All Simio's Worst Rated Features Quality Management See All [monday.com AI Work Platform](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/monday-com-profile/) monday.com is the AI Work Platform where people and agents operate as one team - with shared cross-department context, enterpris...[Read more about monday.com AI Work Platform](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/monday-com-profile/) **4.6** ([6072 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/monday-com-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Asana Stripe +37 more +36 more +35 more monday.com AI Work Platform's Best Rated Features 5.0Order Entry See All monday.com AI Work Platform's Worst Rated Features Color Codes/Icons See All [shopVOX](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/shopvox-profile/) shopVOX is a cloud-based platform for small to large businesses, which helps automate and streamline all processes related to ma...[Read more about shopVOX](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/shopvox-profile/) **4.6** ([243 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/shopvox-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Zapier Microsoft Outlook +8 more +7 more +6 more shopVOX's Best Rated Features 5.0Real-Time Data See All shopVOX's Worst Rated Features Resource Management See All [Digit](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/449762-Digit/) Digit is a cloud-based manufacturing and inventory management platform that helps businesses of all sizes manage purchase orders...[Read more about Digit](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/449762-Digit/) **4.9** ([19 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/449762-Digit/#reviews)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations QuickBooks Enterprise QuickBooks Desktop +5 more +4 more +3 more Digit's Best Rated Features 5.0Quality Control See All Digit's Worst Rated Features Manufacturing Inventory Management See All [Fulcrum](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/328655-Fulcrum-Pro/) Fulcrum is a modern, cloud-native Manufacturing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that replaces outdated ERP, MRP, and MES s...[Read more about Fulcrum](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/328655-Fulcrum-Pro/) **4.9** ([15 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/328655-Fulcrum-Pro/#reviews)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Zapier When I Work +40 more +39 more +38 more Fulcrum's Best Rated Features 5.0Job Tracking See All Fulcrum's Worst Rated Features Quotes/Estimates See All [Prodio](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/prodio-profile/) Prodio is a cloud-based production management solution designed to help small manufacturing enterprises such as tool shops, ston...[Read more about Prodio](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/prodio-profile/) **4.8** ([21 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/prodio-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Prodio's Best Rated Features 5.0Scheduling See All Prodio's Worst Rated Features Compliance Management See All 1 [2](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/production-planning-scheduling-software-comparison/?page=2)[3](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/production-planning-scheduling-software-comparison/?page=3)[4](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/production-planning-scheduling-software-comparison/?page=4)[5](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/production-planning-scheduling-software-comparison/?page=5)[6](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/production-planning-scheduling-software-comparison/?page=6)[7](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/production-planning-scheduling-software-comparison/?page=7) ## Popular Comparisons [ Wrike vs monday.com AI Work Platform ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/monday-com-profile/vs/wrike/)[ Fishbowl vs NetSuite ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/fishbowl-inventory-manufacturing-profile/vs/netsuite-financials-accounting-software/)[ JobBOSS² vs Odoo ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/jobboss2-profile/vs/odoo/)[ MRPeasy vs DELMIAWorks ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/iqms-enterpriseiq-profile/vs/mrpeasy/)[ Stocksmith vs shopVOX ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/inventory-management/craftybase-profile/vs/shopvox/)[ MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence vs Statii ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mastercontrol-manufacturing-excellence-profile/vs/statii/)[ Genius ERP vs Kinetic ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/genius-manufacturing-profile/vs/kinetic/) ## Your Guide to Top Production Scheduling Software, June 2024 Software Advice uses reviews from real software users to highlight the top-rated Production Scheduling products in North America. [Learn how products are chosen](https://www.softwareadvice.com/legal-page/frontrunners-methodology/) #### Explore FrontRunners - [ProShop ERP](https://www.softwareadvice.com/erp/proshop-profile/) - [Imperia](https://www.softwareadvice.com/scm/imperia-profile/) - [MIE Trak Pro](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mie-trak-pro-profile/) - [ERPAG](https://www.softwareadvice.com/scm/erpag-profile/) - [MRPeasy](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mrpeasy-profile/) - [Genius ERP](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/genius-manufacturing-profile/) - [Sage 100](https://www.softwareadvice.com/distribution/sage-100cloud-profile/) - [TYASuite](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/tyasuite-profile/) - [Craftybase](https://www.softwareadvice.com/inventory-management/craftybase-profile/) - [Katana Cloud Inventory](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/katana-mrp-profile/) - [NetSuite](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/) - [Odoo](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/odoo-profile/) - [Fishbowl](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/fishbowl-inventory-manufacturing-profile/) “Usability” includes user ratings for Functionality and Ease of Use. “Customer Satisfaction” includes user ratings for Customer Support, Likelihood to Recommend and Value for Money. Reviews analysis period: The reviews analysis period spans two years and ends the 15th of the month prior to publication. When standard manufacturing resource planning (MRP) tools are not powerful enough, production managers turn to more robust and more complicated, production planning and scheduling systems (aka “advanced planning & scheduling”). These best-of-breed planning systems use advanced mathematical models to better simulate the production environment. We wrote this buyer’s guide to help buyers unravel the web of manufacturing planning and scheduling solutions. Here’s what we’ll cover: [What Is Manufacturing Production Planning and Scheduling Software?](#WhatIsManufacturingProductionPlanningandSchedulingSoftware) [What Type of Buyer Are You?](#WhatTypeofBuyerAreYou) [Common Functionality](#CommonFunctionality) [Benefits and Potential Issues](#BenefitsandPotentialIssues) [Market Trends to Understand](#MarketTrendstoUnderstand) ## What Is Manufacturing Production Planning and Scheduling Software? “Theory is closer to practice in theory than in practice” is a truism in complex manufacturing. [Manufacturing resource planning software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mrp-software-comparison/) is used by manufacturers to allocate raw materials and plan production. MRP works well for manufacturers that have large runs or few products. However, the planning methodologies used by most MRP applications cannot handle the demands of large numbers of small runs of products, orders that change frequently or large numbers of make-to-order (MTO) or customized products. That’s where manufacturing and planning scheduling software comes in. Manufacturing scheduling software extends MRP in four important ways. - Instead of using total capacity as a baseline for each set of planning calculations, it uses available capacity. The difference is that MRP assumes that no other work is happening, while planning and scheduling systems constrains planning based on jobs that are already scheduled. - MRP uses simple formulas to project times to complete. Planning and scheduling solutions use more complex models, often running several different scenarios to create a more realistic simulation. - MRP tends to take stepped approach to ordering: materials are ordered, received, and then production begins.  Planning and scheduling programs incorporate order lead time when planning the manufacturing planning process.  - MRP does not consider the value of particular jobs. All jobs are treated equally. Manufacturing planning and scheduling systems, on the other hand, factors in the profitability of each of the jobs and prioritizes the most profitable jobs. Manufacturing schedule software is best suited to operations that specialize in MTO or assemble to order (ATO) operations and in agile facilities. They are also useful for organizations that use a large number of components or have complex tasks. Finally, they are critical for firms that have a limited facility that is shared among different product lines that are competing for resources. _Inventory manager dashboard in Netsuite_ ## What Type of Buyer Are You? The first step in evaluating production planning software is to determine what kind of buyer you are. Over 90 percent of buyers fall into one of these three groups: **Enterprise resource planning suite buyer.** These buyers value the seamless integration of data and processes that comes from having one system for all functions. For example, they would prefer a full-suite system for estimating, work-in-progress management and accounting that can automatically turn an estimate into a budget for project management, and then match invoices to project status and allocate job costs. These buyers favor [ERP software vendors](https://www.softwareadvice.com/erp/) like Oracle, SAP, Sage ERP or Microsoft Dynamics. **Departmental buyer.** These buyers work in facilities that are shared by product lines from different vendors. They are balancing demands from different product managers and must schedule production and justify the schedule to peers and management. **Small manufacturer.** Small organizations often have limited budgets and fewer IT resources to dedicate to software. In many cases, they may be deciding between a new system and a new piece of equipment. These buyers need cost-effective solutions that are easy to implement and use. They are seeking solutions that maximize the profitability of their plant or job shop. ## Common Functionality Production planning and scheduling software is highly complex, and different vendors specialize in various areas of niche functionality. The following table, however, shows the core features of this software category: **Finite capacity scheduling** Complex algorithms allow you to forecast the completion of jobs based on limitations on resources, instead of scheduling jobs without regard to such constraints. **Gantt charts** Gantt charts display resource utilization. **Live** [capacity planning](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/capacity-planning-comparison/) Instead of determining the production schedule in advance, which can result in bottlenecks, you can adjust the schedule in real time as issues occur. **Visual, drag-and-drop scheduling** You can easily get a visual overview of the production scheduling. New work orders can be dragged and dropped into the schedule, which updates the overall production schedule. **Multiple scheduling priorities** You can assign different priority levels to individual jobs/orders when setting the production schedule. **“What if” scenario modeling** Manufacturing production planning and scheduling software supports forecasting via multiple “what-if” scenarios. ## Benefits and Potential Issues MRP systems, whether stand-alone or incorporated in an ERP system, offer distinct benefits over less formal systems. These include: **Better use of equipment.** Manufacturing planning and scheduling systems increase company utilization of equipment. For example, the system can prioritize the use of the most expensive equipment to lower that equipment’s cost per project or can prioritize the less expensive equipment to decrease costs across jobs.  **Increased profitability.** The combination of increasing utilization and prioritizing the more profitable jobs leads to increased profitability. **Identifying bottlenecks.** Planning and scheduling systems can identify bottlenecks and their associated procedures or equipment, giving managers an opportunity to boost productivity even further by adding machines or updating methodologies. One of the biggest issues that arrive from using production planning and scheduling systems is the tendency for managers to “tweak” the system’s recommendations. This can lead to suboptimal results. If the planning and scheduling system continually gives information with which the manager disagrees, the assumptions must be re-examined or the manager should receive additional training. ## Market Trends to Understand While you evaluate production planning and scheduling systems, make sure you consider these market trends: **Convergence with MRP.** As the power of desktop computing continues to grow, traditional MRP systems are adding advance planning functions to their toolkits. Planning algorithms that were once only found in high-end planning systems are now in more moderately priced MRP or ERP systems. **Direct interface with shop floor equipment.** Some planning and scheduling systems can get utilization information from equipment, either directly or through the manufacturing execution system. This provides two advantages, the information is more current and it does not have to be entered by hand. **Increased employee satisfaction.** Production planning systems can consider employee preferences when allocating resources to a job, allowing employees to work preferred hours or on preferred jobs. **Planning using data visualization.** Traditional MRP systems produce reports and planning schedules. Manufacturing planning and scheduling systems do, too, but they are also beginning to offer other visualization tools, such as graphical comparisons of the results of different models. ### Related Production Scheduling Software - [MRP Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/mrp-software-comparison/) - [Manufacturing Execution Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/manufacturing/execution-systems-comparison/)