Complexity Firms are beginning to think holistically, in terms of demand management and order fulfillment. 12.3 Manufacturing Information Systems Discrete raw material is processed in distinct units. Batch processing material is converted from one form or state to another through various processing steps. Continuous Process raw material is processed without interruption in a continuous flow. Hybrid combination of batch and discrete processing.
Finite scheduling is very important.
Manufacturing Resource Planning contain functions for planning production and purchase orders using basic planning rules to project capacity and material requirements for a specific job. Enterprise Resource Planning next generation of MRP systems. MRP scheduled for one plant, but ERP can support multiple plants, supplier, and currencies. Helps manufacturers translate forecasted demand or order backlog into a manufacturing plan of raw materials, gross capacity, and production orders for the plant floor. Weakness lack adequate capabilities to manage the critical variables of the dynamic production process on the plant floor.