Framework and deployment of a cloud-based advanced planning and scheduling system

Many small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) have already implemented enterprise resource planning (ERP) and manufacturing execution system (MES) and began to start the journey of cloud manufacturing; however, the high cost of hardware and software investment, implementation, and maintenance usually hinder SMEs from adopting an advanced planning and scheduling (APS) system. This paper aims to develop a cloud-based APS (C-APS) system framework, the service structure, and approach of deploying the CAPS system in a public cloud infrastructure platform and service provider or hybrid cloud platform. The package diagram is proposed for building the C-APS system?s virtual factory model to improve modeling efficiency and data stability. The C-APS system is a cloud-based and object-oriented software; its simulation-based scheduling engine can generate the significant production and operations schedule, and has the characteristics of on-demand self-service, quickly expanding and adjusting to the virtual plant model. The C-APS system?s application in a leading automotive part assembly company?s printed circuit board production scheduling shows that the input planning data model is easy to maintain. The scheduling quality is high; the computing time is short and acceptable for practical application.