2.2.

MANUFACTURING SCHEDULING
2.2.1. Meaning of Manufacturing/Operation/ Detailed
Scheduling
The act of fixing the time and date for doing each operation in a continuous
timeline instead of time buckets is known as manufacturing scheduling. It
defines the time-frame at which each process must be started and completed. The
timeline is responsible for making the stages of production planning and
controlling and the whole production process more successful. The horizon for
manufacturing scheduling is shorter as compared to the Master Production
Schedule. It is also known as 'detailed scheduling' or 'production scheduling'.
The main aim of the scheduling is to make the best use of time with minimum
resources. The process of scheduling is not only used at the time of production
but starts from the project planning and end up with the delivery to
customer.
 2.2.2. Objectives of Manufacturing Scheduling
The objectives of manufacturing scheduling are as follows:
1) To use the labour in an efficient manner
2) To use the available equipment in the best possible manner
3) To maximize the profit
4) To maximize the output
5) To improve the level of service
6) To make the on-time delivery to customer
7) To maintain proper inventory
8) To reduce the time taken for manufacturing
9) To reduce the manufacturing costs
10) To reduce the' cost'of labour

2.2.3. Functionms of Manufacturing Scheduling

Following are the functions of manufacturing scheduling:
1) Helps in allocating the resources.
2) Proper control of the shop floor.
3) Using the plant optimally by reducing the cost.
4) Meeting the human resource requirements.
5) Proper sequencing of the jobs.
6) Assigning the time frame for each job.
7) Helps in improving the performance by quick feedback from the
shop floor.
8) Providing all information regarding the materials, time for
customer.
delivering
to the

9) Providing the information about the problems faced to machines.

66 BBA Third Semester (Supply Chain Management) SPPU M-

2.3. MANUFACTURING FLOW SYSTEM

Manufacturing Flow System

4
Introduction
Meaning of Manufacturing/
Continuous Flow System
Characteristics of Manufacturing
Flow System
Suitability of Manufacturing Flow
System
Importance of Manufacturing
Flow System Limitations of Manufacturing
Flow System

2.3.1. Introduction
The process of manufacturing in which the main focus is on the production in a
continuous manner without any waiting time is known as the 'continuous or
repetitive tlow manufacturing. It is just opposite of the batch production. In
batch production the manufacturing of product is done in the lots and then lots
are collectively taken to the next step and the products have to wait till whole lot
is prepared whereas to
in the continuous flow manufacturing the product has
g
through each step without any waiting time. It involves the Just-in-time and
KANBAN production approach. It mainly focuses on the balancing of the
production process with less cost and less time.
2.3.2. Meaningg of Manufacturing/Continuous Flow
System
Manutacturing flow
or
production process creates specialized manufacturing of
similar products, which keeps the machines and equipments totally busy. Ît is
generally associated with the voluminous production of goods, which are in high
demand in the market. The advantage of automation is availed of
during the flow production. Under this type of process, there is sequencing or
optimally
operations, which is followed during the production of identical items.

Various production facilities are designed to be located in the proximity of each other
according to the sequential order of various operations. This is done with a view to
ensuring reduction in distance and costs during material handling, Such an
arrangement is known as "Production Line" or more popularly "Assembly Line.

Under the continuous production process, there is requirement of 'fixed path material
handling equipment, costly control mechanism and special purpose machines for
different operations. All these facilities call for heavy investment, which is generally
more than what is required under intermittent production process.
2.3.5 Importance of Manufacturing Flow System
The advantages of manufacturing flow system are:
1) Low Unit Cost: The factors such as low manufacturing cost, bulk
purchasing of materials, efficient facility utilization, low in-process
inventories, low material handling costs, etc. helps in the saving of cost.
2) Lower Operator Skills: Operations by machines is easy as it requires only
few steps. It helps in enhancing the availability of skilled labour by which the
cost of labour can also be reduced.
3) Simpler Managerial Control: The managerial control becomes simple as
3)
the planning and controlling of production is easy nmethod. The prediction
ability of operation is high. The goods are delivered on the due date.
Manufacturing and Warehousing (Unit 2) 69

2.4. WORKFLOW AUTOMATIiON

2.4.1. Introduction
The process of movement of the documents, information or tasks from one
person to another person involved as per the pre-determined rules for the purpose
of getting the work done is known as 'workflow'. When this execution of
workflow is done with the help of the software then it is known as Workflow
Management System (WMS). It must be remembered that the orderof
execution must be driven by a computer representation of the workflow logic.
WEMS helps in the automation of the business process by managing the
sequence
of the activities and using the required human resources.

2.4.2. Meaning of Workflow Automation

The workflow rules of routing the tasks of the human, data, files, or information
between the persons and systems on the basis of some rules in order to
design,
execute and automate the process of the business is known as 'workflow
automation'.

In simple words, workflow automation is related to define the series of tasks to

complete a process and then all the manual steps involved are removed.

To survive and grow in the competitive environment

every business must try to
be efficient, apply latest technology, use the resources in efficient way and
maximising the profit. Business Workflow Automation can help in meeting all
the needs to survive and grow in the competitive environment
the
by transforming
existing activities, policies, roles from a manual system to an automated
system.

Various actions like approvals, requests, assignments and claims which were
earlier handled manually are now done with the automated systems.

The software for workflow automation must be selected with proper

consideration. Few qualities that must be present in the software are - the
software must be cost effective, easy to use, the software must be able to achieve
the goals of the business. The software distributed for the workflow automation
1S usually known as software-as-a-service (SaaS) application. The examples of
vendors dealing with the SaaS application include Flokzu and Kissflow.

2.4.3. Applications/Uses of workflow automation

There are various fields and industries in which workflow automation is
S1gnificantly used. Few industries where workflow automation can be used
nclude the healthcare, legal, DevOps, finance, marketing, sales, IT and HR. The
examples of workflow in specific industries are as tolows
1) Workflow.automation in healthcare industries is not only significantly used
but also for the
Tor making the staff work schedules and the rotation required tests done.
admission or discharge of patient and transfer of report of the
 BBA Third Semester C hain MAn.
70 (Supply PPU

2) Workflow automation in legal departments is used for billing, entering the

reviews and
client infomation, submitting and tracking the status or contract
managing the case as per the deadlines. ol sortware
W o r k t l o w autormation in DevOps teams is used for developinent
code, and
pipeline, managing and collecting the data, developing testing a
is pertect
deployment of tests and code. Automation of an e-commerce app
example for DevOps group.
4) Worktlow automation in finance is used for making changes in the salary
account approvals and requests for paid time off.
5) Workflow automation in the marketing can be used in managing the
is
organisational brands, and workflow automation in sales department used
for approval of proposals and quotation for the worktlows.
6) Workforce automation in IT organisations is used in dealing with the security
of new clients.
ISSues,service requests and setting or managing the accounts
7) Workforce automation in Human Resource is used in making the time
sheets, on-boarding and off-boarding employees or managing of other issues.
The of workflow automation is not only limited up to the above mentioned
use
examples. It also includes the scheduling done for specific resources, monitor
and control the access to specific rooms and areas or
approval of the invoices.
 71
Manufacturing and Warehousing (Unit 2)

in The measurement of KPI and the feedback of the employees help in

use.
workflow. It is very
improving the user experience and ultimately the
that the workflow can
important to monitor and measure the KPI regularly so
also beimproved.