APSPlan & Execute
Advanced Planning & Scheduling
Plan Smarter. Schedule Faster. Deliver On Time. Finite-capacity, constraint-based scheduling that synchronises demand, capacity and materials in real time, with what-if scenario planning.
The challenge
Manufacturers face constant disruption from raw material shortages, machine breakdowns, labour unavailability and sudden rush orders. Traditional ERP planning modules lack the agility to reflect shop-floor realities, and spreadsheets cannot keep pace with today's complexity, leaving schedulers stuck in reactive firefighting.
Overview
Built on the Inductive Automation Ignition platform, the LOGICAL SYSTEMS Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) application synchronises demand, capacity and materials in real time. Finite-capacity, constraint-based scheduling accounts for machines, tools, labour and materials, while intelligent sequencing reduces changeovers and maximises throughput. Interactive what-if scenarios let teams test the impact of late suppliers, absent staff or equipment downtime before committing to a plan, and AI-assisted planning uses machine learning for disruption prediction and optimal sequencing.
APS connects bi-directionally with ERP, MES, WMS, TMS and CMMS systems to create a single, authoritative version of the schedule. Confirmed schedules flow back into ERP to update promise dates, resource allocations and financial forecasts, while live signals from historians, SCADA and IoT devices let plans adapt instantly to unexpected events. Role-based dashboards give planners, supervisors and executives real-time visibility, and APS can be deployed on-premise, in the cloud or hybrid, from single sites to multi-plant operations.
Typical results
Typical results reported in the APS datasheet. Results depend on each site's starting point and scope.
Capabilities
What APS does
Planning Board
- Finite-capacity Gantt with drag-and-drop sequencing
- Visual overload detection and slack highlighting
- Colour coding by product, priority or resource
- Critical path and dependency tracking
Constraints & Resources
- Define machine, labour, tool and secondary constraints
- Manage shifts, breaks, downtime and calendars
- Skill-based crew assignment and labour balancing
- Sequencing matrices to minimise changeovers and maximise throughput
Work Order
- Centralised production order list with priorities and due dates
- Split, merge or reassign orders instantly without losing traceability
- Alternate routing and rework loops supported
- CTP (Capable-to-Promise) with realistic delivery dates
Materials & Inventory Synchronization
- Real-time material feasibility with pegging to batches/lots
- Automatic rescheduling for shortages or delays
- Campaign planning and shelf-life management
- ERP/MRP integration for synchronised planning and procurement
Scenario Planning
- Model what-if cases before committing to the live plan
- Compare KPIs across alternative schedules
- Prepare contingency schedules for equipment downtime, late suppliers or labour gaps
Collaboration Tools
- Embedded notes, alerts and workflows within the schedule
- Multi-user access with role-based permissions and audit trail
- Shared dashboards for planners, supervisors and executives
Benefits
Why manufacturers choose APS
Higher throughput
A 15-30% increase in throughput with the same resources, alongside higher utilisation and shorter lead times.
Less changeover and idle time
Changeover and idle time reduced by 20-40%, with setup matrices and sequencing rules that minimise changeovers.
Reliable on-time delivery
A 25% improvement in on-time delivery (OTD) and consistent on-time, in-full (OTIF) performance.
Lower inventory
A 15% inventory reduction through synchronised material planning, with reduced WIP and finished-goods stock.
Fast return on investment
ROI achieved within 6 months, proven across industries.
Greater agility
Scenario planning and instant replanning with mid-order updates help planners respond to disruption with confidence.
Ask APS in plain language
LS Assistant, the AI assistant in every Logical Systems application, answers questions from your live APS records and shows the sources behind every answer. It keeps learning as your records, work instructions and resolved issues grow, and your data is never used to train AI models.
Answers with sources
Every answer cites the records and work instructions it used.
Your role, your site
It sees only what each user is allowed to see.
Asks before it acts
Every change it proposes needs a person's confirmation and is audited.
18 languages, voice on mobile
Questions, answers and content in your teams' languages.
Integration
Connects to the systems you run
Systems & protocols
- ERP
- MRP
- MES
- WMS
- TMS
- CMMS
- Historians
- SCADA
- IoT devices
- MQTT
- OPC UA
- OPC DA
- REST API (JSON payloads)
- Kafka (via connector)
- Snowflake (via pipeline, data bridge)
Standards
- GMP
Datasheet
Advanced Planning & Scheduling datasheetWorks with
Related solutions
See APS in action
Book a demo with our engineers, using scenarios from your own plant.