Optimization is performed continuously in the background. New job insertion is performed in the foreground so as to have the quickest possible response to customers. Fault recovery is performed as significant faults occur.
Scheduling is performed recognizing the finite capacities of people and machines.
Costs of holding inventories and of using different routings at different times are directly integrated in the scheduling decisions. The interaction with the customer determines which schedule in the continuum is chosen. Scheduling decisions are made to minimize costs over time and production quantities.