Lead Time Technology, Inc. has made generally available its new suite of software tools for advanced planning and optimization, known as FastForward. The tool is designed for small to mid-sized manufacturers and distributors. Its goal is to reduce inventory, improve forecast accuracy, optimize production resources and reduce cycle time across the supply chain, according to the vendor. The software can be used at one or multiple locations. It tells users what to make and when, to avoid the twin perils of stockouts and excess inventory. The system optimizes decision-making for planners and schedulers, utilizing sophisticated algorithms in a graphical user interface. It contains best practices for process improvement based on Lean and Six Sigma principles, combined with the experience of Lead Time Technology's practitioner founders and developers. FastForward considers all business processes, constraints, costs and objectives to optimize the utilization of resources for any given planning horizon. It works in parallel with customers' existing software systems, such as enterprise resource planning, material requirements planning and advanced planning tools.
http://www.leadtimetechnology.com