IFS North America, a vendor of enterprise resource planning software and other applications, has enhanced its maintenance suite with constraint-based scheduling for repair shops serving the aerospace and defense industry. Constraint-Based Scheduling for Work Orders is designed to plan, release and execute work on the shop floor while accounting for constrained resources. Constraints are addressed through the synchronization of tasks, ensuring availability of the correct tools, release of work only when spare parts are accessible, and confirmation that the necessary skills are available as needed. The functionality allows companies to predict how project changes will affect the date when a unit will be released back to service. The system includes a simulation tool, which advises on whether extra work can be accommodated without jeopardizing the delivery date. According to IFS, the tool can also help with Lean maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) programs, identifying potential bottlenecks throughout the system. IFS Applications, the vendor's extended ERP software suite, is built on service-oriented architecture (SOA) technology. The company focuses on seven industries: A&D, utilities and telecom, manufacturing, process industries, automotive, retail and wholesale distribution and construction contracting and service management.
IFS North America