The Role of Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) software in a Supply Chain

Introduction The supply chain along with its various entities and flows is very much related to the human body with the various entities like factories, retailers, etc similar to the various body parts. In the case of the supply chain, the flow of information and physical assets is similar to the flow of blood. A good IT enabled supply chain would be like the nervous system in the human body, which is very vast and so interconnected that if there is a slight stimulus, there is an immediate response. Similarly in a well-informed supply chain, even a slight change in the customer demand (stimulus) would initiate a quick decision enabling the response to the demand. This is where typical supply chain attributes like faster turnaround times and immediate information dissemination come into prominence. Information can be of two types, one is the typical transactional or operational type of information, which can be used in daily decision-making. E.g. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. The other is tactical or strategic information which can aid in decision making in the long run. E.g. Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS)