Axtension® Production Planning
Reference Manual 2025 H1
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Getting Started
- Production Planning Overview
- Master Production Schedule
- Material Requirements Planning
- Capacity Planning
- Shop Floor Control
- Reports and Analytics
- Configuration
- Troubleshooting
Introduction
Axtension Logo
Welcome to Axtension® Production Planning, a comprehensive manufacturing resource planning solution designed to optimize your production processes and enhance operational efficiency.
This reference manual provides detailed information about the features, functionality, and configuration options available in Axtension® Production Planning version 2025 H1.
Key Features
- Master Production Scheduling (MPS)
- Material Requirements Planning (MRP)
- Capacity Requirements Planning (CRP)
- Shop Floor Control
- Real-time Production Monitoring
- Advanced Analytics and Reporting
- Integration Capabilities
System Requirements
| Component | Minimum Requirements | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 / Windows Server 2016 | Windows 11 / Windows Server 2022 |
| Processor | Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 | Intel i7 / AMD Ryzen 7 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 100 GB available space | 500 GB SSD |
| Database | SQL Server 2017 | SQL Server 2022 |
Getting Started
Installation
Installation Wizard Screenshot
- Download the Axtension® Production Planning installer
- Run the installer as Administrator
- Follow the installation wizard steps
- Configure database connection
- Complete initial setup
First Login
Upon successful installation, you can access the system using the default credentials:
- Username: admin
- Password: axtension2025
⚠️ Important: Change the default password immediately after first login.
User Interface Overview
Main Dashboard Screenshot
The Axtension® Production Planning interface consists of several key areas:
- Navigation Menu - Access to all modules
- Dashboard - Key performance indicators and alerts
- Work Area - Main content area for data entry and viewing
- Status Bar - System status and user information
Production Planning Overview
Planning Hierarchy
Planning Hierarchy Diagram
The production planning process follows a hierarchical approach:
- Strategic Planning (Long-term)
- Master Production Schedule (Medium-term)
- Material Requirements Planning (Short-term)
- Shop Floor Execution (Real-time)
Planning Workflow
| Stage | Input | Process | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demand Planning | Sales Forecasts, Customer Orders | Demand Analysis | Demand Plan |
| Master Planning | Demand Plan, Inventory Levels | MPS Generation | Master Schedule |
| Material Planning | Master Schedule, BOMs | MRP Calculation | Material Requirements |
| Capacity Planning | Material Requirements, Routing | CRP Analysis | Capacity Plan |
Master Production Schedule
Overview
The Master Production Schedule (MPS) is the foundation of your production planning process. It defines what products will be produced, in what quantities, and when.
MPS Interface Screenshot
Creating a Master Schedule
- Navigate to Planning > Master Production Schedule
- Click New Schedule
- Enter schedule parameters:
- Planning horizon
- Time bucket size
- Product families
- Generate initial schedule
- Review and adjust as needed
MPS Parameters
| Parameter | Description | Default Value |
|---|---|---|
| Planning Horizon | Number of periods to plan ahead | 52 weeks |
| Time Bucket | Size of planning periods | 1 week |
| Safety Stock | Buffer inventory percentage | 10% |
| Lot Size | Production batch size | Economic Order Quantity |
Schedule Maintenance
Schedule Maintenance Interface
Regular maintenance of the MPS includes:
- Updating demand forecasts
- Adjusting production quantities
- Managing schedule changes
- Monitoring schedule performance
Material Requirements Planning
MRP Overview
Material Requirements Planning (MRP) calculates the materials needed to execute the Master Production Schedule.
MRP Flow Diagram
MRP Inputs
- Master Production Schedule
- Bill of Materials (BOM)
- Inventory Records
- Lead Times
- Safety Stock Requirements
MRP Process
- Gross Requirements Calculation
- Net Requirements Calculation
- Lot Sizing
- Time Phasing
- Action Message Generation
MRP Output Reports
| Report | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Planned Orders | Future production requirements | Daily |
| Action Messages | Required planning actions | Real-time |
| Pegging Report | Demand source traceability | On-demand |
| Exception Report | Planning violations | Daily |
Running MRP
MRP Execution Interface
To execute MRP:
- Go to Planning > MRP
- Select planning parameters
- Click Run MRP
- Review results and action messages
- Implement recommended actions
Capacity Planning
Capacity Requirements Planning (CRP)
CRP ensures that production schedules are feasible given available capacity.
Capacity Planning Dashboard
Work Center Setup
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Work Center ID | Unique identifier | WC001 |
| Description | Work center name | Assembly Line 1 |
| Capacity | Available hours per period | 40 hours/week |
| Efficiency | Productivity factor | 85% |
| Utilization | Target utilization rate | 90% |
Capacity Analysis
Capacity Load Chart
The capacity analysis provides:
- Load vs. capacity comparison
- Bottleneck identification
- Utilization metrics
- Overload/underload periods
Capacity Planning Actions
When capacity issues are identified:
- Reschedule Orders - Move work to different periods
- Add Capacity - Overtime, additional shifts
- Subcontract - Outsource excess work
- Alternative Routing - Use different work centers
Shop Floor Control
Production Orders
Production Order Interface
Production orders translate planned orders into executable work instructions.
Order Status Tracking
| Status | Description | Actions Available |
|---|---|---|
| Created | Order generated but not released | Edit, Delete |
| Released | Order ready for production | Start, Hold |
| Started | Production in progress | Report Progress, Complete |
| Completed | Production finished | Close, Post to Inventory |
Work Order Management
Work Order List View
Features include:
- Order prioritization
- Resource allocation
- Progress tracking
- Quality control integration
- Real-time status updates
Shop Floor Data Collection
Data Collection Terminal
Methods for collecting shop floor data:
- Barcode scanning
- Touch screen terminals
- Mobile devices
- Automatic data capture
Reports and Analytics
Standard Reports
Reports Menu
| Report Category | Reports Available |
|---|---|
| Planning Reports | MPS Report, MRP Report, Capacity Report |
| Production Reports | Work Order Status, Production Summary |
| Inventory Reports | Stock Status, ABC Analysis |
| Performance Reports | KPI Dashboard, Variance Analysis |
Key Performance Indicators
KPI Dashboard
Monitor these critical metrics:
- Schedule Adherence - Percentage of orders completed on time
- Capacity Utilization - Actual vs. planned capacity usage
- Inventory Turnover - Rate of inventory consumption
- Lead Time Performance - Actual vs. planned lead times
Custom Reports
Report Builder Interface
Create custom reports using:
- Drag-and-drop report builder
- SQL query interface
- Predefined templates
- Export capabilities (PDF, Excel, CSV)
Configuration
System Configuration
Configuration Menu
User Management
| Role | Permissions | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Administrator | Full access | System administration |
| Planner | Planning modules | Production planning |
| Operator | Shop floor only | Production execution |
| Viewer | Read-only | Reporting and inquiry |
Planning Parameters
Planning Parameters Screen
Configure system-wide planning settings:
- Default lead times
- Safety stock policies
- Lot sizing rules
- Planning calendars
- Rounding rules
Integration Settings
Integration Configuration
Configure connections to:
- ERP systems
- MES systems
- Quality management systems
- Warehouse management systems
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Error Dialog Example
| Issue | Possible Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| MRP Run Fails | Invalid BOM data | Validate BOM structure |
| Performance Issues | Large dataset | Optimize database indexes |
| Login Problems | Network connectivity | Check network configuration |
| Report Errors | Missing permissions | Verify user access rights |
Error Codes
| Code | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|
| PP001 | Invalid planning horizon | Set valid date range |
| PP002 | Missing BOM data | Complete BOM setup |
| PP003 | Capacity overload | Adjust capacity or schedule |
| PP004 | Database connection error | Check database connectivity |
Support Resources
- Online Help - Press F1 in any screen
- User Community - Access forums and knowledge base
- Technical Support - Contact support team
- Training Materials - Access video tutorials
Performance Optimization
Performance Monitor
To optimize system performance:
- Regular database maintenance
- Archive old data
- Monitor system resources
- Update to latest version
- Optimize network connectivity
Contact Information
Axtension Support
- Email: support@axtension.com
- Phone: +1-555-AXTENSION
- Web: www.axtension.com/support
Documentation Version: 2025 H1 Last Updated: January 2025
© 2025 Axtension Technologies. All rights reserved. Axtension® is a registered trademark of Axtension Technologies.