# Master Production Schedule in the Consumer Product Goods Industry: Benefits of APS Applications
## 4 Conclusions  
Effective management of production processes in the current market economy is not possible without the use of modern planning methods supported by the right software solutions. Even, nowadays, we are seeing many food-beverage companies managing their plans in table editors. To ensure an effective planning process in this context, it is necessary to develop an adequate reference model of the planning processes on mid-term basis. This serves the basis on which various mathematical models, recommendations for decision-making, and various advanced planning methods can be used and combined. The main difference between advanced planning methods is their approach, i.e., the planning process is considered as dynamic process with constraints. This makes it possible to use the so-called sliding horizon, i.e., at each planning moment, a plan decision is prepared for a certain upcoming time interval, which is incorporated into the current one. The second advantage of mentioned methodology of MPS calculation by advanced planning and scheduling tool is the mandatory evaluation of available right information. This input serves to support the decisions to be reached. As a rule, criteria for the quality of decisions are established, and methods of achieving high values of these criteria are chosen. The third essential feature of the mentioned approach is the consideration of various limitations. Above all, if there is a capacity limitation, it is necessary to address it immediately in the planning process, this can eliminate further problems with supply chain distribution or shelf-life of products (in food-beverage industry). The accuracy of MPS calculation is based on the input data. This data needs to be sourced from ERP systems. In addition, to fulfil the tasks, it is necessary to reload the data into the planning module of APS system, to supplement the data relevant for decision-making and to include any missing data from the ERP system. This connection works in both cases, when MPS calculation is performed by ERP add-on of APS or as APS standalone. The difference is only the technicalities of the connection. The obtained results should be returned to the ERP system for their application. The application of such a complex data processingmechanism has led, in practice, to relatively limited capabilities of APS systems. Currently, these systems appear to be suitable for use at the strategic planning level of the enterprise rather than the level of preparation of the master production plan. Short-term planning using these systems is usually appropriate for large-scale production with a relatively long (weekly or longer) planning horizon. While working on this manuscript, the authors have identified several possibilities for further studies and development such as:  
* How data accuracy influences the overall planning process? * Whether the cloud applications for advanced planning increase overall computing capabilities of the planning process? * Whether the implementation of MES solutions, as well as manufacturing intelligence tools, influence overall planning accuracy. The study was designed to declare the usability of the advanced scheduling tool in conjunction with the active activity of a person who is a decision-making factor in the chain. This connection represents a higher level of digitalization, which can lead to the creation of conditions for Industry 5.0. The specific advantages of the solution presented in the article are supported by:  
* The ability to evaluate process performance based on initial constraints, which allows you to create an accurate advanced planning model for limited capacities. * Coordinate demand and production orders. The data model of the advanced planning scheduling model Siemens Opcenter APS allows you to divide orders according to various attributes, priorities, delivery dates. Such an option also allows you to create a schedule for a given time period and use What if analysis to determine the impact on a given order.