Selection of a software system for capacity planning

The practical project aimed to replace a previously time-consuming and error-prone Excel-based solution with an efficient capacity planning system. In the future, this system will be used to determine production capacities and make them user-friendly. The customer Aenova offers services such as the comprehensive production and development of pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements at 15 locations in Europe and the USA. 

PROJECT GOALS

• Determination of the requirements for a capacity planning system.
• Evaluation and prioritization of commercially available systems.
• Creation of the basis for a software decision.
• Replacement of Excel-based capacity planning with a more efficient system.

IMPLEMENTATION AND RESULTS

• Comprehensive research and evaluation of various capacity planning systems,
• Detailed analysis of the selected system, including its capabilities for detailed planning and monitoring of machine capacities and integration with SAP.
• Demonstration of functionalities such as identification of bottlenecks, integration of dummy orders and use of a dashboard for planning overview.
• Emphasis on the importance of forecasting tools, operational functions and control mechanisms.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The project team made a final decision in favor of the selected system, mainly due to its status as a certified partner of SAP. This choice was largely influenced by the fact that the company is already successfully using SAP. The compatibility and integration of the selected system with the existing SAP infrastructure promises a smooth implementation and use. This strategic decision will enable the company to benefit from seamless and efficient system integration and to optimize capacity planning by using already established processes and resources.

Link:

• Master's degree program ERP Systems & Business Process Management