 Materials Function - In order to eliminate waste, high inventory, and various other costly

inefficiencies, production planning and control includes specific measurements of materials that
are needed within a certain time period. This enables raw materials, parts, or other components to
be delivered in a cost-effective and timely manner.
 Equipment - Production planning and control analyzes any equipment down time or
maintenance schedules and attempts to keep production flowing smoothly. This will further help
the facility through staying efficient and on-time with future orders.
 Methods - This function includes the analysis of possible alternatives and schedules that
production can follow. The software can generate multiple schedules and choose the one that is
best suited for the operation and any constraints that are currently hindering production.
 Routing - Routing pertains mainly to the portion of the software that oversees how raw
materials transform into a finished product. The software is able to find the most advantageous
path for raw materials to take.
 Estimating - After the process sheet for operations is made available, operation times are then
estimated. The function is then carried out using analysis on areas of operations such as routing,
raw materials, and various other areas.

 Dispatching - This phase includes execution. This process pertains mainly to setting
production activities in motion through a set of instructions. This function takes control of
production by releasing materials, components, and tools to the operator.

 Expediting - This is the tool that oversees the progress of production. It then coordinates the
execution to the production plan.
 Evaluation - This stage includes evaluating the entire production process. This portion helps
identify areas where productivity is lacking and implements a strategy to improve that particular
area.