Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Scheduler Users Guide - Manual (Page 7)

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Welcome to FactoryTalk Scheduler
Welcome to FactoryTalk Scheduler, the state-of-the-art finite-capacity system that will
help you gain control of your production scheduling.
What is FactoryTalk Scheduler?
FactoryTalk Scheduler is a client/server application that is an integrated part of the RSBi-
zWare product suite. FactoryTalk Scheduler allows you to generate a detailed, finite-
capacity schedule that provides a view into the future. Through this tool, production
schedulers can identify and act on late orders; manage capacities and constraints, includ-
ing labor and material; and identify the consequences of making changes, like expediting
orders. FactoryTalk Scheduler allows total resource management and, most importantly,
provides time to react to any unintended consequences.
What is the benefit?
FactoryTalk Scheduler considers all factors that reduce the ability of a production
resource to process, including shift patterns, labor/tooling/material availability, planned
maintenance, current loading, and capacities. In summary, FactoryTalk Scheduler
produces a more accurate and realistic schedule.
How is it designed?
FactoryTalk Scheduler was designed using all of the latest available software
technologies. The newest version of FactoryTalk Scheduler is written in Visual C++
®
with
Object Oriented Development. FactoryTalk Scheduler uses the ActiveX
®
Data Objects
(ADO) component of the Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) software
development kit to provide direct access to various database types. FactoryTalk Scheduler
provides direct connections to Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle databases. FactoryTalk
Scheduler has incorporated Crystal Reports
®
for its report writer, which allows you to
design and develop your own reports on top of the many standard reports that have
already been developed. FactoryTalk Scheduler was designed with a document-view
interface that makes it very easy for you to navigate through the screens.
Where do I begin?
You start by creating a model of the resource capacities and capabilities of a production
facility considering the scheduling objective(s) of the company. Once your model is
complete, you can select the algorithmic or simulation scheduling rules that best achieve
the defined objectives. FactoryTalk Scheduler is capable of importing product routings
and orders, from which it is simple to generate a detailed schedule. The last part allows