// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM
Planning
The process of setting goals, developing strategies, and outlining tasks and resources needed to achieve objectives.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
In a supply chain context, Planning involves the strategic and tactical determination of future actions, resources, and schedules required to meet demand, optimize inventory, manage production, and coordinate logistics across all stakeholders, often utilizing forecasting and optimization models.
BACKGROUND
The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as 4IR, Industry 4.0 or the Intelligence Age, is a neologism describing rapid technological advancement in the 21st century. It follows the Third Industrial Revolution. The term was popularized in 2016 by Klaus Schwab, the World Economic Forum founder and former executive chairman, who asserts that these developments represent a significant shift in industrial capitalism.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Scheduling
- forecasting
- strategizing
- blueprinting
USAGE NOTE
Effective planning is essential to prevent bottlenecks and ensure smooth operations throughout the supply chain.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Planning.
A global leader in enterprise software, SAP offers comprehensive solutions for manufacturing planning, including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Supply Chain Management (SCM), and Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO), as well as Integrated Business Planning (IBP) for end-to-end supply chain visibility and planning.
Siemens provides a broad portfolio of software for manufacturing, including Opcenter APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling) for detailed production planning and scheduling, Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM), and other tools to optimize production processes and resource utilization.
Through its DELMIA brand, Dassault Systèmes offers solutions for manufacturing operations management, production planning, scheduling, and optimization, enabling companies to simulate, plan, and execute manufacturing processes efficiently.
Oracle provides robust cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) solutions with advanced planning capabilities, including demand planning, supply planning, production scheduling, and inventory optimization for manufacturers.
Kinaxis specializes in concurrent planning platforms for the supply chain, enabling companies to integrate planning processes across demand, supply, inventory, and production to react quickly to disruptions and optimize outcomes.
Blue Yonder offers AI-driven supply chain planning and execution solutions, including demand forecasting, inventory optimization, production planning, and workforce scheduling to help manufacturers achieve greater agility and efficiency.
Infor provides industry-specific cloud solutions for manufacturing, including robust ERP and supply chain planning modules that help optimize production schedules, manage inventory, and allocate resources effectively.
GE Digital offers Proficy Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) solutions that enable manufacturers to optimize production processes, improve scheduling accuracy, and enhance operational efficiency and visibility.