Controlling and monitoring functions as supplement to MRPXX-systems

The paper presents controlling and monitoring functions as a supplement to MRP∗∗/ERP-systems which can be used for operational shop floor control and material management as well as for mid- and long-range capacity planning. Based on the macro language GOAL (graphic-oriented application language), GTT has defined a software line called FAST (factory analysis and scheduling tool), which is used to assist MRP- and MRPII-systems for operational order processing (and for the monitoring of order flow) consisting of FAST/log, a software package to monitor material management and stockpiles, and FAST/pro, a package for shop floor control and monitoring. The controlling and monitoring functions of FAST/log and FAST/pro give the necessary transparency to allow an active control of order flow in a company. The basic methods of FAST were developed at the Institut für Fabrikanlagen at Hannover University and have been turned into a flexible software system with more than 100 installations.