Visual Scheduling Blog

The Visual Production Scheduler (VPS) has been our signature software since 2013. With the experience from more than 300 VPS customers using Microsoft Dynamics NAV, we knew that there are a lot of manufacturing clients that have higher scheduling requirements as what can get fulfilled with the standard Dynamics NAV, respectively Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central functionality.

For this reason, we very consciously decided for a two-pronged approach when we transferred our IP from Dynamics NAV to Dynamics 365 Business Central. On the one hand, we rebuilt the Visual Production Scheduler to prove customers with an easy-to-use visual drag & drop front-end to standard Business Central manufacturing. On the other hand, we started the development of the “bigger brother” to the VPS, which we named VAPS – Visual Advanced Production Scheduler.

The idea was, and is, to enhance the Business Central manufacturing module by those functions that the standard seems to lack, and that larger manufacturers require to better run their shops.

As of today, both the VPS and the VAPS are available on AppSource for Dynamics 365 Business Central addressing to improve the same module: Manufacturing. Then, what are the main differences between these two extensions?

Are you a production planner working with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central? Or, are you a manufacturer assessing the use of Business Central? This is for you!

We’ve repeatedly heard planners asking for the best way to evaluate the impact on squeezing a rush order into the published schedule. Or wondering how to accelerate the rescheduling process of production orders when a machine breaks down, or an operation takes longer than expected. Some planners mentioned their struggle identifying bottlenecks. If you feel like you can relate, then you’re on the right path to fixing it.

Scheduling is no easy job. You need to match a production order to available machine times, skilled resources, required material, and a few other variables. An ERP, like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is perfect for gathering the information you need to start scheduling. The issue being: Business Central displays all information as tables or within tables. There’s a great search field and filter functionality on top that eases the data hunt. But it would be simpler to see it in one view.

Who hasn’t heard the phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words”? Well, that’s basically our motto. At NETRONIC, our goal is to turn your production schedule into a dynamic visual. As you may know, we accomplish that using Gantt charts. But we work to boost up the contributions of a Gantt chart for project, resource and production planners. How would you benefit from having a Visual Scheduler? Allow me to explain...

New software, new struggles, right? Let’s hope not! So, you’ve got the Visual Jobs Scheduler (VJS) or the Visual Production Scheduler (VPS) for Dynamics 365 Business Central, you understand the basics but can’t seem to fully get it? That’s fine! Let me tell you something. You have a visual scheduler installed because someone thought it was a good idea. 

And here’s why. With a visual scheduler, you can view all your orders at a glance, and you can change the production dates and resources. You can even create links between orders or jobs and much more, by only using your mouse. There’s no need to drown in dozens of Business Central cards anymore. The first step to embracing it is to own it. No, I don’t mean the license, but to personalize it. 

In this blog, I will address the steps to personalizing your new visual scheduler. And, I will refer you to our articles on the topic for clearer instructions. 

The bridge between Business Central's resource utilization tables and your schedule.

What would you buy with $1,500 USD?

You could get a 75” Sony LED screen or a fancy ViewSonic projector for the largest meeting room. You could also buy a Razer Laptop, or… an all-in-one resource view for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Whether your company works with Projects, Services or Assembly, you can gather all information regarding the resources' utilization in a snapshot for just $1,500 USD. We call this solution: the Visual Resource Viewer (VRV).

Did your customer ask for a visual scheduler, but you have no idea where to begin with? You thought of us, maybe you showed a video, or we participated in a demo and now you're considering how to continue. I know what you’ll say next: “My customer wants to try the software before making a decision”. I get you. But this is when I’ll reply, “I can offer you our Quick Start Package”. Here is what this is all about and why we decided for an alternative to the free trial.

Have you ever found yourself walking and thinking about the immortality of the crab? Trying to make things that have nothing to do with each other relate? I know I have. Last year, in September 2019, I started the Eifelsteig. The Eifelsteig is a long-distance hiking trail through the Eifel low mountain range. It connects cozy little Aachen (where we are located) to the historical Trier. And as I wandered for hours reasoning about all and nothing at the same time, a thought struck me: Walking a long-distance trail is essentially scheduling many hike tasks. Let me explain this... 

Picture this: You have a routine morning session. Everyone is in the meeting room, from the new IT intern to the Senior Procurement Manager. There are even fresh cinnamon rolls and coffee on the table. The Plant Manager walks in and breaks the silence with great news, the Purchase Order for the milling machine everyone has been waiting for has finally been approved. The Production Manager seems relieved. But now the slightly bad news... the machine needs specific configuration that must be taken care of before production begins.

In other words, you have a new resource to schedule jobs in, but, in 9 months! How can you plan around this?