Simplicity as a Must for Success

Traditional understanding of production planning and scheduling in concordance with IT support has led to an increasing complexity and instability of production schedules. Since their advent, ERP-systems problem solving approaches have basically remained the same: Intricate planning and meticulous detailing have resulted in sprawling complexity and massive IT employment. Yet, another approach is possible: Simple process design, courage to accept fuzziness in detail and rigorous process orientation will lead to a production system without the need for detailed, pseudo-accurate schedules calculated by ERP-systems. The design of manufacturing and materials logistics is, therefore, revived as a matter of brainwork. This simple environment is crucial in achieving minimum lead-times and inventories which is accomplished with less administrative effort. By using this concept of production planning and control at a production plant for welding elements as an example, this article emphasizes how a factory can cope with every day business without using complex and detailed ERP-planning.