Smart Scheduling ERP Software Designed for Manufacturers

Revolutionize the way you schedule your shop

Simplify shop-floor scheduling, reduce lead times and improve efficiency with the only DBR scheduling tool built for custom manufacturers.

Team meeting on the plastic recycling factory

Genius Smart Scheduling

Simplify shop-floor scheduling and improve throughput and efficiency with the only DBR
scheduling tool built for custom manufacturers. DBR scheduling is based on the fundamental
Theory of Constraints, or ToC, principle that within any manufacturing shop, there is a Drum —
one or a limited number of scarce resources — which controls the overall output of the shop.
Increasing the capacity of the Drum is the only way to increase the capacity of the shop.
Using this theory, Genius ERP’s’ Smart Scheduling tool streamlines shop floor scheduling by
identifying the Drum and then automatically prepares a detailed schedule that maximizes the
capacity of your shop. Mechanisms — Buffers and Ropes — that ensure your shop always
operates at maximum efficiency are also automatically implemented.

Cut Time-to-Delivery

Decrease lead times

If you use a traditional manufacturing scheduling system, estimating delivery times is an educated guess at best. But Smart Scheduling lets you manage your shop more efficiently. Instead of constantly being caught in the weeds, Genius ERP’s DBR software keeps you running at maximum efficiency, meaning you can give your customers more accurate estimated delivery dates — and, more importantly, follow through and deliver on time.

Request a demo
genius analytics dashboard screenshot gantt chart
Maximize Efficiency

Increase throughput

Smart Scheduling will increase your shop’s throughput by allowing you to schedule your shop to its maximum capacity. Instead of building a schedule based on guesswork and inaccurate data, a DBR schedule is developed around — and built to support — the heartbeat of your shop. With Smart Scheduling, your shop will always run at peak efficiency and maximum throughput.

Request a demo
Hotel, manager and man on a digital tablet for booking, planning and accommodation management while working at front desk. Black man, concierge and hospitality by male doing online task at reception
Expert Task Management

Expert priority management

Smart Scheduling creates a detailed schedule in which each job and task on a project is prioritized and scheduled in turn. Every role and department in your shop will be on task, and miscommunications will become a thing of the past. Managers and supervisors will be better able to set and manage priorities, as well as define and follow the throughput of your shop. Smart Scheduling ensures that everyone in your shop is working on the right task at the right time to get jobs completed and out the door on time.

Request a demo
Smart automation industry control concept
schema blue background texture

Smart Scheduling now includes What If Scheduling

Custom manufacturers are constantly dealing with on-the-fly changes — whether from a customer request, a new order or a late part from a 3rd-party vendor. Before you change your schedule and priorities, use What If Scheduling to simulate what would happen before you make any changes.

Test the results of adding or moving jobs without impacting your shop environment until you find the schedule that works best for you.

Key Features and Functionalities

Scheduling in a custom manufacturing environment is a complex process that involves not only trying to create an accurate schedule for a never-before-seen product but also multiple departments, components and long lead-time items. Genius ERP’s Smart Scheduling, the only DBR (Drum-Buffer-Rope) scheduling tool available within an ERP system, will completely change how you schedule your shop.

  • Job priority board
  • Milestone priority boards
  • Available to promise dates
  • Simulated Start/End dates
  • DBR Scheduling Calendar
  • Throughput tracking
  • Priority management system
  • Labor scheduling
  • Labor loading
  • Task scheduling
  • What If Scheduling
  • Job simulation

Built for the people who use it

Whether you are an engineer, production manager, accountant or CEO, Genius ERP has the solutions you need to get the job done right.

Production Managers

Deliver on time and on budget with DBR scheduling

Use dashboards to know what needs to be done and to set top priorities. Assign and track milestones to ensure jobs are always delivered on time.

Instead of creating a schedule based on inaccurate data, DBR scheduling simplifies scheduling for custom manufacturers and creates a schedule based on the actual pace of your shop — with built-in mechanisms to ensure that you always run at your most efficient pace to maximize throughput.

Business persons discussing new agreement. Businessman ready to sign contract at the office. Two businessmen with formal paper.

Sales Team & Customer Service

Give your customers the answers they want and need

Automatically provide an ATP (Available-to-Promise) date to your customers as part of the quoting process without even having to know the engineering for the product. Easily answer customer inquiries about the status of their jobs.

Smart Scheduling gives you an accurate, prioritized schedule to follow, preventing costly delays and letting you deliver more products on time.

Business partners in meeting.

Project Managers

No more lost jobs, jumbled priorities or late deliveries

Define, set and follow milestones to track if jobs are on schedule. Smart Scheduling gives you an easy-to-use priority management system to ensure jobs are always completed on time.

Smart Scheduling can also efficiently deal with changes and shifting priorities — whether from a customer request, a new order or a late delivery from a 3rd-party vendor. Before you change your schedule, you can run simulations to see the impact of a change — and easily create the schedule that works best for your shop, balancing all priorities and ensuring on-time delivery

Mature businessman in the office
Case studies

We’re honored to help hard-working manufacturers grow

Whether you’re looking for your first ERP, or you need a replacement solution, manufacturers just like you have realized the benefits of implementing Genius ERP.

View all case studies

Frequently asked questions

What is Smart Scheduling?

Smart Scheduling is a unique scheduling tool exclusively available within Genius ERP. It stands out as the sole Drum Buffer Rope (DBR) scheduling feature integrated into an ERP system. This advanced scheduling tool empowers businesses to achieve higher efficiency levels, meet production targets, and enhance overall operational performance.

Smart Scheduling is designed to assist manufacturers in optimizing their scheduling processes to enhance throughput and achieve on-time deliveries more consistently. By leveraging our Smart Scheduling system, manufacturers can streamline their production scheduling, improve resource allocation, and reduce bottlenecks in their operations.

What is Drum Buffer Rope (DBR)?

Drum Buffer Rope, or DBR, is a manufacturing scheduling concept pioneered by Eliyahu Goldratt. The core objective of DBR is to maintain optimal operation of the most critical constraint within a manufacturing process. Goldratt referred to this critical constraint as the “Drum,” while it can also be conceptualized as the heartbeat of the shop.

The essence of DBR involves strategically buffering upstream processes such as materials, labor, and other resources to ensure that the constraint is never starved and can operate at its maximum capacity consistently. By keeping the constraint well-fed and operational, DBR aims to enhance overall throughput and efficiency in the manufacturing environment.

For a deeper understanding of DBR and its implementation, explore Goldratt’s book “The Goal.” This book delves into the concepts of Theory of Constraints and DBR in detail.

What is the Theory of Constraints (TOC)?

The Theory of Constraints (TOC), developed by Eliyahu M. Goldratt, is a management philosophy that centers around the concept that every process has a bottleneck or constraint. The TOC asserts that focusing on improving the output of this constraint is the most efficient and effective way to enhance a manufacturer’s profitability.

The TOC methodology involves identifying the most critical bottleneck within a process. Since the overall output of a system cannot exceed the capacity of its bottleneck, the goal is to maximize the output of this constraint. By doing so, the overall throughput of the system increases, one bottleneck at a time.

TOC emphasizes the importance of systematically addressing constraints to optimize overall performance and achieve operational excellence.

What's a drum in DBR?

In the context of Drum Buffer Rope (DBR) methodology, the “Drum” represents the primary constraint or bottleneck within your shop’s production process. It is like the heartbeat of your company, setting the pace at which operations progress. This constraint can manifest in various forms, such as specific machines, labor resources, or a targeted output level for finished products.

The Drum concept emphasizes the critical importance of identifying and managing constraints effectively to optimize overall production throughput. By addressing constraints strategically and ensuring they are adequately managed, organizations can enhance operational efficiency, reduce delays, and improve overall performance in their manufacturing processes.

What's a buffer in DBR?

In Drum Buffer Rope (DBR) methodology, a “Buffer” refers to any process, material, machine, or manufacturing step strategically positioned in alignment with the Drum constraint. Typically located upstream in the production flow, buffers are designed to ensure a consistent flow of resources to the Drum, preventing it from being starved or experiencing delays due to resource shortages.

Buffers play a crucial role in maintaining optimal operation of the Drum by safeguarding against interruptions or disruptions in the flow of materials, labor, or other resources needed for the constrained process. By strategically managing buffers, organizations can enhance throughput, minimize downtime, and improve overall efficiency in their manufacturing operations within the DBR framework.

What's a rope in DBR?

In Drum Buffer Rope (DBR) methodology, a “Rope” symbolizes the connection and coordination between various elements within the DBR process. Ropes serve as the links that tie together the Drum, Buffers, and other components of the production flow.

The concept of ropes emphasizes the dynamic nature of the DBR approach, where adjustments can be made to manage the flow of work in response to the Drum situation. Ropes can be metaphorically “reined in” or “let out” based on the needs and constraints of the Drum. This flexibility allows organizations to maintain a balanced and synchronized production flow, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently to support optimal performance and throughput in the manufacturing process.

What is a bottleneck?

A bottleneck in production refers to the specific point in your production line where workloads accumulate due to arriving too quickly to be processed efficiently. These bottlenecks pose significant challenges because they not only create stress but also limit the overall capacity of your entire shop.

Bottlenecks can result from various factors such as poor planning and scheduling, outdated equipment, inadequate maintenance schedules leading to machinery breakdowns, worker shortages, or inaccurate forecasting. Long-term bottlenecks are especially detrimental to your shop’s output as they hinder productivity and can lead to delays in fulfilling orders and meeting customer demands.

Addressing bottlenecks is crucial for optimizing production efficiency and maximizing throughput in your manufacturing operations. Identifying and resolving bottlenecks requires strategic planning, process improvements, and investment in the right resources to ensure smooth and uninterrupted workflow across your production line.

close-btn

Request a free
Genius ERP demo

Find out how Genius ERP can simplify your manufacturing.

"*" indicates required fields

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.