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Münstermann gains reliable data through central planning and avoids resource bottlenecks

The Visual Jobs Scheduler creates transparent processes and more efficient planning.

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Bernd Münstermann GmbH from Telgte, Germany, is a family-run company specializing in special plant engineering with a product focus on drying plants. As a leading full-range supplier of drying and heat treatment plants, including the associated conveying and filter technology, the company has its own MSR as well as assembly department. From planning to commissioning Münstermann offers worldwide service from one source.

Münstermann uses NETRONIC VJS for project planning

 

Executive summary

The initial situation

Microsoft Dynamics NAV had long been used as the company's ERP, but project and resource planning was done outside the system using various Excel spreadsheets that were not integrated with each other. Over time, it became clear that this approach was very error-prone and that a planning tool would be necessary. On the one hand, this tool had to combine the information from the different "isolated applications" and, on the other hand, ideally it had to be integrated directly into the ERP system.

 

Solution & results

After a thorough review, the choice fell on NETRONIC's Visual Jobs Scheduler (VJS).

This led to

  • integration of scheduling into the NAV environment and thus error prevention during data exchange between departments
  • transparent overview of resource utilization
  • avoidance of bottlenecks
  • more reliable adherence to delivery dates

The situation before NETRONICMünstermann and NETRONIC Visual Jobs Scheduler

The extensive range of services offered - from planning of the machines to commissioning - poses complex challenges for project and resource planning at Münstermann. Not only the production has to be planned, but also the deployment of the assembly workers and the sometimes long occupancy of the hall spaces during the production of a new plant.

 

Decentralized planning with Excel is error-prone

Before the VJS was used at Münstermann, planning ran with the help of several different Excel spreadsheets, which, according to Markus Wendeler, IT manager at Münstermann, "were rudimentarily linked to each other." For example, there was a table for production reports and one for design, which were merged into a project control file. Another table, the planning list, took the individual plans from the other tables.

Coordination between the departments took place at intervals of one to two weeks. According to Wendeler, "the time required to populate the tables was kept within reasonable limits," but the problem was rather that "the data often did not match. Therefore, the results were not accurate and not well usable. This led to inconsistencies and scheduling difficulties."

In addition, this approach also did not provide an accurate overview of resource utilization in the individual departments, which is of course essential for reliable project planning.

 

Requirements for the planning tool

Münstermann wanted a project and resource planning tool that was

  • completely integrated into NAV in order to process all data centrally in one coherent system, so that subsequently

    • errors during transfer are avoided

    • access to other data available in NAV, such as absence times, is made possible

    • a transparent and reliable overview of the utilization of resources is gained

    • deadlines are reliably met

  • is easy and understandable to use and provides for quick planning

  • allows individual extensions in an uncomplicated way

Experiences working with the Visual Jobs Scheduler

 

NETRONIC VJS fits

The newly created work preparation department had the task to renew the planning system in the company. While searching for a tool with the above mentioned features, they came across NETRONIC's Visual Jobs Scheduler in the Dynamics NAV environment.

In addition to the standard functions of the planning tool, Münstermann needed individual functionalities, e.g. for the graphical planning of the hall occupancy. According to Wendeler, NETRONIC implemented these functions immediately and without complications.

 

Use of the NETRONIC VJS

All employees involved in planning now have access to the VJS, which visualizes the data from Dynamics NAV in a clear graphical representation and enables simple (re)planning via drag & drop. This applies to both the scheduling of projects and concrete resource planning.
The complete integration in NAV also offers, according to Wendeler, "access to time management data, such as absenteeism", which is also stored in NAV and is of course also displayed in the VJS. The central maintenance of the data prevents transmission errors from the past and makes the planning data more reliable.

 

Advantages of the VJS

  • Maintenance of all data in one system

    For Markus Wendeler, the main advantage of the VJS is clearly that there is now "central planning with one tool that everyone can access, transmission errors are avoided, and thus the data becomes more binding."

  • Overview of resource utilization

    The newly gained transparency also means that "we have an overview of the resource utilization of the individual departments," another basic requirement for smooth project planning.

  • Avoiding bottlenecks

    The overview of resource utilization also makes impending overloads immediately visible: "This means you can take direct countermeasures, for example by buying in personnel and using temporary workers. Thus, you're also prepared for unforeseen situations."

  • Improved adherence to deadlines

    Of course, stable planning with reliable data also means that deadlines can be better planned and met.

 

Advantages of the VJS for other companies as well

According to Wendeler, other companies in a comparable environment and with similar planning requirements can definitely benefit from the use of a graphical planning board: "In any case, we can recommend the tool and the company. The cooperation worked out great!"

 

Good cooperation with NETRONIC

Wendeler on the use of the VJS and the cooperation with NETRONIC:

"The cooperation was very good, especially the uncomplicated and direct contact to the developers was very helpful for us, as we needed various adjustments for our individual processes. These were all integrated quickly and well into the VJS."

Summary: tangible visual jobs scheduling benefits

Central maintenance of all data in one system: avoidance of errors

Transparent overview of resource utilization: Impending bottlenecks are identified and avoided

Improved adherence to delivery dates

Learn more about the product that has helped Münstermann to achieve more stability in planning.

 

VJS_logo

 

Another reference on visual project and resource scheduling

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NETRONIC reference visual project planning Inarca

 

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