Production scheduling

Stop scheduling by hand.

Horizon turns the production plan into the minute-by-minute sequence on every line, with finite capacity scheduling and mixed-integer programming: changeovers, shifts, materials and due dates in one schedule, rebuilt automatically when a line goes down or a rush order lands.

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CalendarTableSummary
Finite capacity
Example · Tuesday, week 15, 06:00–14:00
06:0008:0010:0012:0014:00Line 1Line 2Line 3Operator AFilling · SKU-4471Filling · SKU-4502Layering · SKU-2207Layering · SKU-2210SKU-4475Filling · SKU-1180IdleSKU-2210Line 1Line 2
FillingLayeringChangeoverBreakRush order
Rush order · SKU-4475, 1,200 unitsFinding a slot within capacityInserted on Line 2 · every order still on time
Accept
Minute-level

scheduling: which machine runs which batch, who runs it, and when each order starts and finishes

Example · Line 2
06:0010:2510:4012:35
6constraint types

weighed in every schedule

Machines and setupsLabour and shiftsMaterialsDependenciesPrioritiesQuality checks
1calendar view

every job, dependency and priority in one place

CalendarTableSummary
Changeover minutes · from row to columnPlainVanillaStrawberryChocolateHazelnutPlain10152025Vanilla30101525Strawberry35251525Chocolate50454020Hazelnut60606045Current sequence145 min of changeoversChocolate50Plain25Hazelnut60Vanilla10StrawberryOptimised sequence55 min of changeoversPlain10Vanilla10Strawberry15Chocolate20HazelnutLight to dark, allergen last. Same orders, same due dates,90 minutes more production time on this line.Example: sequence-dependent changeovers on one filling line.
Ordersequence by changeover time
Current sequenceChocolate, plain, hazelnut, vanilla, strawberry · 145 min
Optimised sequencePlain, vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, hazelnut · 55 min
The rule it findsLight to dark, allergen last, every due date met

What you can do

Every line, every shift, in one schedule.

Sequence optimisation

Shorter changeovers, more time producing

  • Products sequenced to minimise setup, cleaning and changeover time.
  • Changeovers depend on the order of products, so the sequence is chosen to keep them short while every due date is met.
  • Alternative sequences compared side by side, so you pick the one with the best throughput.
Sequence · Line 1, week 15
Example
Current sequence7 changeovers · 11.5 hOptimised sequence4 changeovers · 6.0 hProductionChangeover and cleaningSCENARIO COMPARISON · LINE 1, WEEK 155.5 more hours of production, same due datesPick the sequence with the best throughputAccept

Finite capacity

Every line, shift and operator respected

  • Orders sequenced within the real capacity of every line and machine.
  • Shift patterns, maintenance windows, breaks and holidays built into every schedule.
  • Orders only start when materials, tools and people are available, with process steps in the right order.
Resources · Tuesday
Example · Line 2
MaintenanceMaterial arrival
06:0008:0010:0012:0014:00Line 2Operator ARM-104SKU-2205ShiftShiftArrives 09:30SKU-2207CONSTRAINTS IN THIS SCHEDULEMachines and setupsLabour and shiftsMaterialsDependenciesPrioritiesQuality checks

Dynamic rescheduling

Machine down, schedule rebuilt

  • A rush order or a machine down: the schedule is rebuilt and the impact shown straight away.
  • Planners move orders and lock what must not change; Horizon shows the effect on due dates and changeovers.
  • Connected to production planning, so daily execution stays in step with the weekly plan.
Rescheduling · Tuesday
Example · Line 3 stop
Line 3 down, 10:00–12:00Unplanned stop · 2 orders affectedRebuildingMove SKU-1180 to Line 1 after 12:00Finishes 2 hours later, within its due dateAcceptStart SKU-2210 on Line 3 at 12:00Short changeover after the restartAcceptSKU-4502 · Line 1Locked by the planner, unchangedLockedDUE DATES2 of 14 orders at riskAll 14 orders on time

Learn more

Learn more about production scheduling.

What is production scheduling software?Finite-capacity schedulingDetailed schedulingBuyer guideProduction planning

FAQ

Production scheduling, answered.

What is production scheduling?

Production scheduling turns the production plan into an hour-by-hour roadmap: which machine runs which batch, which operator or workstation handles each job, and when every order starts and finishes. It works with shop-floor realities such as machine availability, shift times, setup durations and urgent orders.

What is finite-capacity scheduling?

Scheduling that only plans what lines and machines can really do in the time available, instead of assuming unlimited capacity.

Which constraints should a production schedule respect?

Machine availability and setup times, labour and shifts with the right skills, material readiness, process dependencies such as packing only after filling, order priorities, and inspection and quality checks.

How do optimisation and AI work together in scheduling?

The schedule itself comes from finite capacity scheduling and mixed-integer programming, which make sure every constraint is met. AI adds value around it: translating business rules into constraints, flagging likely downtime from historical data and spotting hidden delays or poor sequences.

How does it connect to production planning?

Production planning decides what to make per week and line; scheduling turns that into the exact sequence and timing on each line.

Can planners still change the schedule?

Yes. Planners can move orders and lock what must not change; Horizon shows the effect on due dates and changeovers.

How does scheduling software compare with spreadsheets?

Software balances machines, labour and materials automatically, tests scenarios before you commit, optimises the sequence to cut changeovers and rebuilds the whole schedule when a machine breaks down or a rush order arrives, instead of planners reworking a spreadsheet by hand.

How fast can we start?

Start with Horizon Instant: demand planning on your own data, up and running in less than 24 hours. The supply modules then build on the same data model.

See your schedule on your own data.

Start with Horizon Instant: demand planning on your own data, up and running in less than 24 hours.

Start with Horizon InstantBook a demo