Advanced scheduling with Gantt charts, KPI tracking, what-if scenarios, constraint management, and optimization algorithms
View all scheduled jobs on a calendar with color-coded indicators showing booking density per day
Access today's bookings instantly with job details, machine assignments, and real-time status updates
Complete inventory lifecycle with batch tracking, stock transactions, shipping, and document management
Inventory management designed for how manufacturing actually works
Manufacturing inventory isn't just about counting stock. It's about getting the right materials to the right place at the right time, maintaining complete traceability for quality and compliance, and handling the reality that plans change. TUC4Human's inventory management is built from the ground up for these manufacturing realities.
In manufacturing, materials don't always need to be released all at once. Sometimes you need all materials for a complete job, sometimes just for the next operation, and sometimes you're preparing materials for an entire week's production across multiple jobs.
Release all materials required for a specific job in one action. The system automatically calculates what's needed based on the job's bill of materials, validates availability, and creates the release transaction. Perfect for when a job is ready to start and needs everything at once.
Release only the materials needed for a specific process step. If your CNC operation needs aluminum bar stock but the finishing operation needs paint, why release the paint when the part hasn't even been machined yet? Step-level release keeps materials on the shelf until they're actually needed, reducing work-in-progress inventory and preventing materials from sitting on the shop floor getting damaged or lost.
Planning materials for the week ahead? Select a date range and see all jobs scheduled during that period. Check the boxes for the jobs you want to prepare materials for, and release everything in one batch operation. This is invaluable for kit preparation, shift handoffs, or when your material handler prepares carts for multiple jobs at once.
When a quality issue arises or a customer asks "where did this material come from?", you need answers fast. But different questions require different views of the same data.
See the complete chronological history of a batch,when it was received, who approved it through QA, when portions were released to which jobs, and what remains. Each event is timestamped with user accountability. Think of it as the batch's biography, telling its story from arrival to consumption.
Compare batches side-by-side to analyze performance differences. Did Batch A from Supplier X have more quality issues than Batch B from Supplier Y? Which batches are approaching expiry? This analytical view helps with supplier evaluation and inventory optimization decisions.
Follow the genealogy,trace parent-child relationships between raw materials and finished goods. If you need to answer "which finished products used material from this batch?" or "what raw materials went into this product?", the traceability view maps these relationships visually.
Smart inventory management goes beyond simple tracking. It anticipates needs, enforces best practices automatically, and handles the reality that manufacturing plans change.
When releasing materials, the system automatically suggests the oldest batches first (First-In-First-Out). This ensures proper stock rotation, prevents expired materials from being overlooked, and maintains compliance with shelf-life requirements,all without manual tracking.
Manufacturing isn't always predictable. Jobs get cancelled, quantities change, or operators draw more material than needed. Return mode allows unused materials to flow back into inventory with full traceability,the system knows it was issued to Job X and returned, maintaining an accurate audit trail rather than creating mysterious inventory adjustments.
See at a glance what's truly available versus what's already committed to scheduled jobs. When a rush order comes in, you immediately know if you have free stock or if fulfilling it means bumping another job's materials.
Scrap happens,damaged materials, expired stock, manufacturing defects. But simply "writing off" inventory isn't enough for regulated industries. You need to document what was scrapped, why, how it was disposed of, and prove compliance.
The dedicated scrap workflow captures complete disposal documentation:
Every scrap transaction creates an audit record with timestamps and user accountability.
Over time, inventory systems accumulate obsolete items,discontinued products, superseded materials, items from closed product lines. Deleting them loses historical data needed for audits. Keeping them clutters your active inventory views.
Archive items with full metadata preservation:
Bringing back an old product? Received a surprise order for a "discontinued" item? Simply restore the archived item with its complete history intact. No need to recreate the item from scratch or lose years of transaction data.
Many systems treat shipping as an afterthought,a separate module that doesn't talk to inventory in real-time. This creates gaps where items are "shipped" in one system but still showing as available in another.
Shipping is built directly into inventory management:
Select customer, add items with quantities, system validates availability instantly
Choose from configured carriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.) with tracking number capture
In-Transit vs. Delivered status with shipment ID, tracking numbers, and ETA
30-day statistics and detailed shipment log for customer service
When you ship, inventory updates immediately. No synchronization delays, no "phantom inventory."
Traditional inventory systems show transaction history as endless spreadsheet rows. Finding what you need means scrolling through hundreds of lines, mentally parsing dates, and piecing together the story.
The transaction timeline presents history visually:
Color-coded green for incoming materials
Color-coded red for outgoing to production
Color-coded yellow for corrections
Color-coded blue for inter-warehouse moves
Each event shows quantity, source/destination, user accountability, and linked references (job number, PO number, batch). A 30-day summary provides at-a-glance activity statistics.
Manufacturing materials come with paperwork,Certificates of Analysis (COA), Safety Data Sheets (SDS/MSDS), purchase orders, specifications, quality certificates. When an auditor asks "show me the COA for the material used in this product," you need it immediately.
Documents are organized by manufacturing-relevant categories:
Proof of material composition and quality
Required safety and handling information
Procurement documentation and pricing
Technical requirements and tolerances
Compliance certifications and approvals
Documents attach directly to inventory items and batches, so when you view a batch, its documentation is right there,no searching through file folders or separate document management systems.
Release materials at the right time,job start, specific step, or batch preparation
Answer any traceability question with the right view for the situation
FIFO auto-selection, return mode, and reserved vs. available tracking
Meet regulatory requirements with documented disposal workflows
Keep history forever while maintaining clean active views
One system, one truth, no synchronization gaps
Understand inventory movement at a glance with color-coded history
Every document where you need it, when you need it
Complete machine lifecycle management with OEE tracking, maintenance scheduling, breakdown reporting, and configuration management
Machine management that understands production impact, not just maintenance tasks
Traditional maintenance systems treat machines in isolation,they tell you a machine is down, but not what it means for your business. TUC4Human's machine management is different because it connects equipment status to production reality. When a machine fails, you don't just know it's broken,you know which customer orders are at risk.
When equipment fails at 10 AM, you need to know immediately: Which customer orders are affected? What deadlines are now at risk? Which jobs need to be moved to other machines?
Right on the machine detail screen, see which jobs are currently scheduled for that machine. No switching between systems, no cross-referencing spreadsheets. When you look at a machine, you see its complete production context,what's running now, what's coming next, and how busy it will be.
Whether you're planning preventive maintenance or responding to an unexpected breakdown, instantly see which jobs are impacted. The system shows scheduled production that conflicts with downtime, customer orders at risk, and deadlines in jeopardy. Make informed decisions about maintenance timing or respond to failures with complete situational awareness.
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) is the gold standard for measuring manufacturing productivity. TUC4Human automatically calculates key OEE metrics, so you don't have to do the math yourself.
What percentage of planned production time was the machine actually running? Accounts for breakdowns, changeovers, and unplanned stops.
When running, was the machine operating at its designed speed? Captures slow cycles, minor stops, and speed losses.
Beyond the headline OEE number, see exactly where you're losing effectiveness:
This breakdown tells you where to focus improvement efforts. The system also provides World-Class benchmarking,scoring 85%+ puts you in "World Class" territory.
When a machine breaks down and you need third-party support, the clock is ticking. Technicians shouldn't waste precious minutes hunting through filing cabinets, email threads, and shared drives while production sits idle.
On both the maintenance screen and the failure reporting screen, vendor contact information is immediately accessible. The technician diagnosing a problem sees the third-party support contacts without leaving the screen they're working on. Phone numbers, email addresses, service contract details,all visible when they're most needed.
When your best CNC operator reports a spindle failure at 6 AM, they shouldn't need to track down the maintenance manager to find the vendor's emergency line. The contact information is attached to the machine record and visible on the failure screen. Anyone responding to the issue can reach out to the right people immediately.
Found the problem and need to bring in the vendor? Email them directly from the maintenance or failure screen. The system can include relevant context,the machine details, the problem description, the failure history. The vendor receives a complete picture instead of a vague "machine is broken" message.
When you contact the vendor, you're not starting from zero. You can reference previous service calls, share what was done last time, and provide context that helps them prepare. "This is the same spindle issue you fixed in March,here's the record" gets you faster, more informed support.
When a technician approaches a machine for repair, they're often working blind. What was done last time this failed? Has this been an ongoing issue? This tribal knowledge often lives in one person's head, and when they're not available, you start from scratch.
Every maintenance event is recorded and accessible from the machine record. Preventive maintenance, calibrations, inspections,all documented with dates, what was done, who did it, and any notes or observations. A technician approaching a machine can review its complete maintenance biography before starting work.
Every breakdown, every repair, every root cause,documented and searchable. When a machine fails, the technician can check: Has this happened before? What was the cause? What fixed it? This institutional memory prevents repeating the same diagnostic process and helps identify recurring issues.
Machines evolve over time. New tooling, software updates, component replacements, capability additions,all tracked in the machine record. When troubleshooting, knowing that the control software was updated last month or that the spindle was replaced in January provides crucial context.
These records can be shared externally. When a third-party technician is coming for a service call, email them the relevant history before they arrive. They can review previous failures, see what was already tried, and come prepared with the right parts and knowledge. No more "let me start from the beginning",they arrive informed and ready to work.
Not all equipment failures are equal. A minor sensor glitch is different from a complete spindle failure. When failures are reported without classification, critical issues get buried under minor ones, and response priorities become guesswork.
Emergency situations that halt production entirely. Machine emergency stops, safety system activations, complete functional loss. These are flagged prominently and appear at the top of the queue. Everyone knows: drop everything and respond.
Significant issues that seriously impact production capability. The machine might still run, but at reduced capacity or with quality concerns. These need prompt attention but allow for coordinated response.
Issues that should be addressed but don't threaten immediate production. Indicator lights, cosmetic damage, minor calibration drift. These can be scheduled for the next maintenance window.
The failure reporting screen shows counts at each severity level,Active Failures (red), In Progress (orange), and Resolved in last 30 days (green). Each failure tracks through a clear workflow with reporter accountability, so you can follow up if more information is needed.
Machine documentation lives everywhere,operating manuals in the office, calibration certificates in the quality folder, maintenance SOPs in someone's email. When you need a document, you search multiple locations, hope it's the current version, and waste time that should be spent on actual work.
Every document related to a machine lives in one place, organized by type:
How to run the machine
Standard procedures for maintenance tasks
Proof of accuracy and compliance
Required safety information and procedures
Upload documents by drag-and-drop or file browser. Multiple formats supported,PDF, Word, Excel, images, CAD files. The Documents button is right on the machine detail screen,one tap to access everything related to that machine. Training a new operator? Pull up the operating manual. Doing maintenance? Check the SOP. Preparing for an audit? Retrieve the calibration certificate.
Knowing what's happening on the shop floor traditionally requires walking the floor. Is that machine running? When did it go down? This information exists in people's observations, not in systems, making remote management and quick response difficult.
Every machine shows its current state with visual indicators that update in real-time:
Running and productive (green with glow)
Not currently operating (gray)
Planned downtime for service (orange)
Using WebSocket technology, status changes appear immediately,within seconds, not minutes. The machine list view shows all machines with their current status, giving you the complete shop floor picture on one screen. Filter by status to see only machines that are down, only machines in maintenance, or only online equipment.
Maintenance scheduling often lives in spreadsheets or sticky notes. Different types of maintenance get mixed together, and visibility into upcoming maintenance is poor, leading to missed tasks or surprised production teams.
An interactive monthly calendar shows all scheduled maintenance at a glance. Navigate between months and understand the maintenance picture for weeks ahead.
Scheduled service tasks,lubrication, filter changes, belt inspections
Accuracy verification and adjustment for quality-sensitive operations
Regular check-ups to catch problems before they become failures
Know the business impact of any machine issue, not just that it's down
See scheduled jobs and affected orders when machines go down
Availability and performance tracking with breakdown analysis
No searching for contact info when you need third-party support
Share records directly with vendors before they arrive
Prioritize response based on actual business impact
Live status indicators updated instantly via WebSocket
Color-coded scheduling for PM, calibration, and inspections
Comprehensive quality control system with checks, deviation management, batch traceability, and compliance tracking
| Check ID | Job/Batch | Type | Inspector | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QC-2026-001247 | JOB-445 / B-001 | Dimensional | John Smith | Jan 14, 2026 | PASS |
| QC-2026-001246 | JOB-444 / B-003 | Visual | Jane Doe | Jan 14, 2026 | PASS |
| QC-2026-001245 | JOB-443 / B-002 | Functional | Mike Johnson | Jan 13, 2026 | FAIL |
| QC-2026-001244 | JOB-443 / B-001 | Material | Sarah Wilson | Jan 13, 2026 | PASS |
| QC-2026-001243 | JOB-442 / B-005 | Dimensional | John Smith | Jan 13, 2026 | PENDING |
| Metric | Value | Target | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Pass Yield | 94.2% | 95% | |
| Defect Rate | 2.1% | < 3% | |
| CAPA Closure Rate | 88% | 90% | |
| Inspection Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Advanced data analysis with natural language queries, SQL query builder, and dynamic chart generation
SELECT machine_name, AVG(utilization) as avg_util FROM machine_stats WHERE date >= DATE('now', '-30 days') GROUP BY machine_id ORDER BY avg_util DESC LIMIT 5
| Rank | Machine | Avg Utilization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laser Cutter Pro | 94.2% |
| 2 | CNC Machine 001 | 91.8% |
| 3 | Press Machine 2 | 87.5% |
| 4 | Welding Station 1 | 82.3% |
| 5 | 3D Printer XL | 76.1% |
SELECT
machine_name,
status,
utilization,
last_maintenance
FROM machines
WHERE status = 'active'
ORDER BY utilization DESC;
| machine_name | status | utilization | last_maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNC-001 | active | 94% | 2026-01-10 |
| LASER-02 | active | 89% | 2026-01-08 |
| PRESS-01 | active | 85% | 2026-01-05 |
Business intelligence designed for manufacturing people, not data scientists
Manufacturing generates mountains of data,machine performance, job progress, quality metrics, inventory levels. But that data is useless if only IT staff can access it. TUC4Human's Data Analysis module is built for everyone on the manufacturing floor,operators, supervisors, managers,to ask questions and get answers without writing SQL, waiting for IT, or paying per-query AI fees.
Ask questions in plain English and get instant answers. No SQL knowledge needed, no training required, no IT bottleneck.
COUNT, SUM, AVG, MIN, MAX,all understood naturally
"Last week", "This month", "Past 30 days", "Q1 2025"
Group by any dimension,machine, department, operator, shift
"Top 10", "Bottom 5", "Highest", "Lowest"
Multiple filters with AND/OR logic
"Compare this month to last month"
The natural language processing happens entirely within TUC4Human. No internet connection required, no external API calls, no per-query charges, and your data never leaves your network.
Query unlimited times without accumulating API charges. Other AI-powered BI tools charge $0.01-$0.10 per query,that adds up fast with hundreds of users asking questions daily.
Your production data, quality metrics, and business intelligence never leave your network. Queries are processed locally,no cloud service sees your sensitive manufacturing data.
Query translation happens in under 5 milliseconds,not the 2-5 seconds typical of cloud-based AI services. No waiting, no spinning loaders, just instant results.
Works even when your internet connection is down. Shop floor access to data insights isn't dependent on external service availability.
The built-in AI model has been validated against 164 test cases covering the full range of manufacturing query patterns,aggregations, joins, date filtering, grouping, and complex conditions. The validation suite ensures reliable query translation across all supported patterns.
The AI isn't generic,it understands manufacturing. It knows what jobs, steps, batches, OEE, cycle time, and scrap rate mean. Ask questions using your terminology, get answers that make sense in your context.
Manufacturing Vocabulary Built-In: The system recognizes terms like "scrap rate", "WIP", "FG", "RM", "OEE", "MTBF", "MTTR", production week numbers, shift patterns, and machine type classifications,all without configuration.
Turn any query into a reusable widget. Customize colors, chart types, and refresh rates. Share individual widgets with colleagues,not just entire dashboards.
Put your key metrics on display. Desktop Display Mode lets widgets run on dedicated monitors, TVs, or display screens throughout your facility with real-time data updates.
Large displays showing real-time production status, jobs in progress, and completion rates visible to all operators
Inspection areas showing current defect rates, first-pass yield, and quality trends
Each work center displaying its own OEE, utilization, and performance metrics
Logistics area showing orders ready to ship, in-transit, and delivery confirmations
Entry points showing days without incident, safety reminders, compliance status
Conference rooms with high-level KPIs for meetings and reviews
Ask complex questions that span multiple data areas. The system automatically identifies relationships and joins tables,you don't need to know the database structure.
The system understands how manufacturing entities relate to each other:
Build custom dashboards with drag-and-drop simplicity. Export data in multiple formats. Save queries for reuse. Set up automated alerts when thresholds are crossed.
Add widgets from your library or create new ones directly in the dashboard
Resize, reposition, and arrange widgets freely with grid alignment
Apply date ranges or other filters that affect all widgets at once
Full-screen mode for meetings and reviews
Automatic history of your last 100 queries. Star favorites for quick access.
Save, organize, and share queries with your team. Schedule automated execution.
Set alerts on any metric. Get notified via in-app, email, or mobile push when thresholds are crossed.
Users see only data they're authorized to access. Queries are automatically filtered by permissions.
Ask questions in plain English,no SQL required
Zero per-query costs, complete data privacy
Understands production terminology natively
Share individual widgets with fine-grained permissions
Information radiators for shop floor visibility
Complex questions across related data areas
Drag-and-drop dashboards, multiple export formats
Comprehensive document management system for organizing, viewing, and managing company-wide documents with multiple viewing perspectives
| Document | Type | Date | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Order #AC-2026-001 | Order | Jan 14, 2026 | 128 KB |
| Quality Certificate Batch-445 | Certificate | Jan 12, 2026 | 256 KB |
| Shipping Label AC-SHP-889 | Shipping | Jan 10, 2026 | 64 KB |
| Contract Amendment #3 | Contract | Jan 05, 2026 | 512 KB |
| Inspection Report IR-2025-Q4 | Report | Dec 28, 2025 | 1.2 MB |
| Version | Modified By | Date | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| v2.1 | John Smith | Jan 14, 2026 | Updated step 5 diagram |
| v2.0 | Jane Doe | Dec 20, 2025 | Major revision |
| v1.5 | John Smith | Nov 15, 2025 | Added safety notes |
Centralized document management built for manufacturing with cross-module visibility and complete traceability
Document management in manufacturing isn't just about storing files,it's about ensuring the right document is available at the right time, tracking every version and change, and providing instant access across all business operations. TUC4Human's Library Management module goes beyond traditional document storage by consolidating documents from 16+ modules into a single, searchable repository with complete audit trails and manufacturing-specific organization.
A unified "All Documents" tab that brings together documents from ALL modules in a single view using a UNION query across 16+ document sources,eliminating the need to search through multiple screens.
A dedicated "By Customer" tab that aggregates ALL documents related to a specific customer across every module in the system,providing complete customer documentation history at a glance.
Search and select any customer
Expandable sections per source
Documents per module
Search within customer docs
Pre-built hierarchical folder organization designed specifically for manufacturing operations with 8 root categories and unlimited nesting depth,ready to use from day one.
Complex organization for large document sets
Create folders at any level
Document count, total size
Rename updates all documents
Documents can be organized at multiple levels within the job structure, providing context-specific documentation access,the right document at the right level for the right person.
Customers/Jobs/ACME_Corp/Job_Documents/JOB-2024-001/
Automatic version tracking with Major.Minor versioning system (1.0 โ 1.1 โ 2.0) for all documents, with complete version history and one-click restore capability.
New version on upload of same document
1.0, 1.1, 1.2... or 2.0 for major
Change description for each version
Clear badge showing current version
Revert to any previous version
Clean up non-active versions
Every document action is logged with full user attribution, timestamps, and action details in a timeline-style audit viewer,complete traceability for compliance and accountability.
Who uploaded, when, file size, folder path
Who downloaded, when, which version
Who deleted, when, reason if provided
Old path, new path, who moved, when
New version number, uploader, notes
Which version restored, by whom
Track expiry dates for certifications, licenses, and time-sensitive documents with automatic warning badges and filtering,never miss a renewal deadline.
Set validity period for any document
Yellow warning for documents expiring within 30 days
Red indicator for past-expiry documents
Show only expiring or expired documents
Count of expiring certifications
Native support for engineering and CAD file formats commonly used in manufacturing, beyond standard office documents,a single repository for all technical documentation.
Supporting large CAD assemblies and technical drawings
Built-in document viewers for common file types, allowing users to preview documents without downloading or using external applications,quick verification on shop floor tablets.
Clear "Preview not available" message with direct download option and file type indicator
Native Flutter mobile application optimized for shop floor use on tablets and smartphones with touch-friendly interfaces,access documents anywhere in the facility.
Tap to drill down, back button to go up
Document details, folder selection, filters
Visual path with tap-to-navigate
Swipe for viewer, long-press for menus
Cards and lists for finger interaction
Refresh document lists with gesture
Purpose-built tab organization for different manufacturing documentation workflows,the right view for the right task with multiple ways to find any document.
Upload & manage company-wide documents
HR policies, templates, general procedures
Cross-module unified view
Find any document regardless of source
Customer-centric aggregation
Customer meeting prep, account handoff
Category-based organization
Browse by department (Quality, HR, Engineering)
Mobile-optimized folder browser
Navigate folder hierarchy on tablets
Real-time search with multiple filter options for fast document discovery across the entire document repository,find documents in seconds, not minutes.
Complete folder management capabilities for organizing documents in hierarchical structures,organize documents as your company evolves.
At any level in the hierarchy
Automatically updates all document paths within
Only when empty (with validation)
Between folders with folder creation if needed
Document count and total size per folder
Rich metadata fields for each document beyond just filename, supporting manufacturing documentation requirements,searchable by multiple attributes.
Accept and manage a wide variety of file formats used in manufacturing operations,a single repository for all file types without needing separate storage systems.
Documents organized by 8 manufacturing-specific categories with visual icons and colors for easy identification,intuitive document discovery by department.
Customer-specific documents, contracts
Policies, forms, onboarding materials
ISO certs, procedures, work instructions
Standards, specifications, reference docs
Tax documents, audit reports, compliance
Quote/invoice templates, forms
Materials, videos, guides
Company certs, equipment licenses
Single view of ALL documents from 16+ modules
All customer documents in one view
8 predefined categories ready to use
Job โ Recipe โ Step organization
1.0, 1.1, 2.0 versioning with restore
Every action logged with attribution
30-day warnings for certifications
DWG, DXF, STEP, IGES native
PDF, images, text viewing in-app
Flutter native for shop floor
Purpose-built for workflows
Multi-attribute with filters
Create, rename, delete, move
12+ fields for manufacturing docs
25+ file types including CAD
8 manufacturing-specific categories
Multi-level component hierarchy management with Active/Inactive status tabs and quick access to history and analysis tools
Used in 5 active BOMs
Complete product structure management with real-time cost accumulation and full traceability
A Bill of Materials is more than just a component list,it's the foundation of manufacturing cost control and traceability. TUC4Human's BOM module goes beyond traditional BOMs by tracking cost accumulation through every manufacturing step, enabling true scrap value calculation, and providing deep integration with jobs, recipes, and inventory for seamless data flow from planning to execution.
A dedicated screen that answers the critical question: "Where is this component used?" For any component or material, you can instantly see every BOM that contains it, enabling impact analysis before making changes.
Find by component ID or name
See every BOM using the component
Navigate up to higher-level assemblies
Understand impact of component changes
See quantity in each parent BOM
Before modifying a component, see all affected products
When a material becomes unavailable, identify all impacted BOMs
If a component price changes, understand total cost impact
If a component has defects, trace all potentially affected products
As a job progresses through manufacturing steps, the system tracks the accumulating value of the work-in-progress. Each step adds its costs (labor, consumables, machine time) to the material value, showing exactly how much value has been invested at any point in the process.
Manufacturing isn't just about material cost,it's about value accumulation. When raw materials enter step 1, and you add labor, the work-in-progress value increases. After step 2 adds more labor and consumables, the accumulated value grows further. This continues through every step.
When scrap occurs during manufacturing, the system calculates the TRUE value lost,not just the material cost, but all the accumulated value that was invested up to that point. Scrap at step 1 loses only material cost, but scrap at a later step loses material PLUS all labor, consumables, and machine time from previous steps.
Create reusable component sets (kits) that can be applied to multiple BOMs. Instead of manually adding the same components to every similar BOM, create a kit template once and apply it with one click.
Create and edit kit templates with component lists
Browse and manage all kit templates
Track which kits are used most frequently
Maintain kit versions as components change
Active/Inactive/Archived lifecycle
When creating a BOM, you can allocate specific inventory batches to each component rather than just specifying generic material requirements. This enables precise traceability and cost tracking from the planning stage.
Specific batch assigned to component
Supplier for that batch
Actual cost from specific batch (not average)
Quantity allocated from the batch
Batch expiration date
Allocated, used, or returned
Every change to a BOM is logged with full details including who made the change, when, and exactly what changed. The audit trail supports compliance requirements and enables investigation of any BOM-related issues.
Complete audit trail for one BOM
Recent changes across all BOMs
Break down BOM costs into five distinct categories for accurate costing and analysis. Each category rolls up from components and steps to provide total BOM cost.
Raw material and component costs including expected waste (scrap factor)
Direct labor for assembly and component work
Supplies consumed during manufacturing (lubricants, abrasives, etc.)
Equipment usage costs based on machine time
Preparation and changeover costs
The BOM module is deeply integrated with other manufacturing modules, creating a connected system where data flows seamlessly between planning and execution.
Find all BOMs using a component for impact analysis before changes
Track value building through each step with true scrap value calculation
Reusable component sets with usage analytics and hybrid BOMs
Specific batch tracking per component with supplier and expiration
Every change logged with user attribution and timestamps
Material + Labor + Consumable + Machine + Setup breakdown
Connected to Jobs, Recipes, Inventory, and Process Control
Track and manage material dispositions by job with Pending/Completed tabs and quick access to history and shipping
| Date | Job | Material | Qty | Destination | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 14 | JOB-0445 | Assembly XR-500 | 50 | TechCorp | Delivered |
| Jan 13 | JOB-0442 | PCB PM-100 | 100 | ElectroSys | In Transit |
| Jan 12 | JOB-0440 | Housing H-200 | 75 | BuildRight | Delivered |
Release materials from inventory to specific jobs for production use
Materials don't just get used or thrown away. Production generates excess, defects, returns, and transformations that need systematic handling. Our Material Disposition module provides complete lifecycle management for every material state after production.
Our system recognizes six distinct paths a material can take after production, each with its own dedicated workflow, documentation requirements, and approval process.
The system handles every real-world manufacturing scenario where materials need disposition decisions. Instead of forcing materials into generic buckets, the system understands the specific case and guides appropriate action.
Materials requiring disposition flow through a clear visual pipeline. The tabbed dashboard shows counts for each stage, allows filtering by disposition type, and provides quick actions for common scenarios.
Items awaiting a disposition decision, with aging indicators
Disposition action being executed, with status tracking
Full historical record of resolved dispositions
When materials need disposition, the system suggests the optimal path. Instead of manually deciding where each material should go, operators receive intelligent recommendations that can be accepted or overridden.
At critical points in the disposition process, the system captures complete snapshots. These snapshots serve as permanent compliance records for audits, customer inquiries, and regulatory requirements.
Every disposition action links back to its source. This creates an unbroken chain from raw material receipt through production to final disposition.
Materials with expiration dates receive special handling during disposition, ensuring compliance and preventing the use of expired materials.
Materials can be released across job boundaries, enabling enterprise-wide material management and efficient resource allocation.
For ship-type dispositions, the system includes complete shipping management. Materials can go directly from production to customer without touching inventory.
Every disposition action is permanently recorded. The audit trail is immutable and available for compliance reporting.
Six distinct paths: inventory, rework, scrap, hold, ship, and transform
Handles every real-world scenario from cancellations to customer returns
Clear visual pipeline: Pending โ In-Progress โ Completed
Smart suggestions based on material type, condition, and history
Point-in-time captures for compliance and auditing
Complete chain from receipt through production to disposition
Special handling for materials with expiration dates
Cross-job and cross-facility material transfers
Complete shipping workflow for ship-type dispositions
Immutable record of every disposition action
Track active processes and assigned jobs with Active Processes/Assigned Jobs tabs and step-by-step execution
Customer: TechCorp Industries
Manufacturing execution with complete material accountability and integrated quality control
Manufacturing execution isn't just about tracking steps,it's about ensuring every unit of material is accounted for, quality is verified during the process (not after), and operators have instant access to all the information they need. TUC4Human's Process Execution module is built on mathematical material balance equations that guarantee inventory integrity, even through complex material transformations.
Manufacturing involves materials flowing through processes,released from inventory, being worked on, completed, scrapped, or sent for rework. The challenge is ensuring every single unit is accounted for at all times. TUC4Human implements a comprehensive material balance equation that validates inventory integrity continuously.
When materials are released from inventory, the system continuously calculates the accounted total. If variance is not zero, the system immediately flags an imbalance.
Total quantity released from inventory to this process
Quantity currently being worked on at any step
Quantity that finished all process steps successfully
Quantity discarded due to defects or issues
Quantity sent back for reprocessing
Quantity consumed in transformation processes
The system doesn't just track totals,it maintains material balance for each individual batch:
The Material Balance Dashboard provides:
In manufacturing, input quantities often don't equal output quantities. You might start with 10 kg of raw material and produce 50 units of finished product. Traditional systems struggle with this,they track inputs and outputs separately, creating reconciliation nightmares. TUC4Human supports formula-based material transformations that mathematically convert input quantities to output quantities while maintaining complete traceability.
Each transformation event records:
Material release, processing start, pause, resume, completion, partial completion, scrap, rework
Which step the material moved from and to
Who performed the action and on what equipment
Which batches were involved and quantities for each
The system tracks:
Primary materials that flow through the entire manufacturing process. Shows required quantity, released from inventory, and available for current step.
Materials consumed at specific steps but don't flow through as the main product. Cutting fluids, welding gases, packaging materials.
Intermediate or final products created through material transformation. Mixed compounds, sub-assemblies, machined parts.
Most manufacturing systems treat quality as a separate module. Operators execute processes in one screen, then navigate to another module to record quality data. This creates friction in the workflow, risk of forgetting to record data, and disconnection between process and quality context. TUC4Human embeds quality checks directly in the process control screen,operators never leave their execution context.
Quality check templates define what needs to be measured. Each template contains parameters with:
When a quality check step is reached:
As soon as operator enters a measurement:
Green indicator, measurement accepted
Red indicator, flagged for attention
No waiting for supervisor review for basic determination.
When something goes wrong in manufacturing, you need to answer: "What happened and when?" Traditional systems provide audit logs,walls of text that are difficult to parse and don't show the relationship between events. TUC4Human provides a visual timeline that shows every state change, what changed at each point, and the complete material journey from start to finish.
Process initiated
Step finished successfully
Material discarded
Material sent for reprocessing
Material released from inventory
Entire process finished
When an event is selected, the panel shows:
With visual indicator
Who performed the action
Exact time of event
State at that moment
Quantities affected
Which batches moved where
Batch #A001: 95 units completed | Operator: John Smith | Duration: 45 min
Batch #A001: 95 units passed | Operator: Sarah Lee | Duration: 30 min
Batch #A001: 3 units scrapped | Reason: Surface defects
Batch #A001: 100 units released | Material: Component Kit
Operators executing manufacturing processes need access to safety data sheets, machine manuals, work instructions, quality specifications, and other documents. In most systems, these documents live in separate repositories. Operators must leave their work, navigate to document systems, and search for the right file. TUC4Human makes all relevant documents accessible directly from the process control screen.
Work orders, customer specifications, routing sheets, job-specific instructions, engineering drawings
Safety Data Sheets (SDS/MSDS), handling instructions, storage requirements, PPE requirements, first aid procedures
Operating instructions, setup procedures, maintenance guides, troubleshooting guides, safety precautions
Product Realization Review records, design verification, process validation, customer approval records
Work instructions for specific steps, quality check procedures, visual standards, reference samples
The built-in document viewer supports multiple file types:
Full viewer with page navigation and zoom
Interactive viewer with pan and zoom
Syntax highlighting, selectable text
Full player with playback controls
Audio player with seek and volume
Download to open externally
Scenario: Operator starting a new step that involves handling a chemical
Mathematical equation ensuring every unit is accounted for with variance detection
Formula-based quantity conversions with complete traceability across all material types
Quality data entry during execution with immediate pass/fail feedback
Visual material journey showing all state changes and operator actions
Safety docs, manuals, and work instructions directly in process screen
Complete job lifecycle management with Active/Completed tabs, document tracking, and procedure templates
Manufacturing jobs are more than work orders,they're complex workflows involving materials, machines, quality checkpoints, and documentation. Our Job Management module treats each job as a complete manufacturing process with full lifecycle tracking.
Manufacturing jobs require clear, repeatable procedures that everyone can understand at a glance. Our procedure builder creates visual workflows that map the entire manufacturing process from start to finish.
The visual interface displays each step as a card showing the step name, assigned machine, operator, and estimated time. Managers see the complete workflow laid out sequentially, making it easy to identify potential bottlenecks or missing steps before production begins. Steps can be reordered using drag-and-drop, allowing quick adjustments without recreating the entire procedure.
A template library stores standard procedures for common job types. When creating a new job, operators can select from proven workflows and apply them instantly. The template becomes the starting point - modifications for job-specific requirements don't affect the original template, preserving your standardized processes while allowing flexibility.
Total procedure time calculates automatically by summing individual step estimates, giving planners accurate duration forecasts for scheduling and customer commitments.
Quality inspection isn't a separate system bolted onto manufacturing,it's woven directly into the job workflow. Quality checkpoints appear as steps within the procedure, positioned exactly where inspection should occur.
When building a procedure, quality gates can be inserted between any manufacturing steps. The checkpoint specifies what type of inspection is required,dimensional checks with tolerances, visual inspections with acceptance criteria, or functional tests with pass/fail conditions. Each checkpoint assigns a specific QC station where the inspection will occur.
During execution, operators cannot skip quality checkpoints without acknowledgment. The system enforces the inspection sequence, ensuring no product moves forward without required quality verification. Results from each checkpoint attach directly to the job record, creating complete quality traceability.
Final inspection gates can require supervisor approval before marking a job complete, adding an extra layer of quality assurance for critical products.
One of the most challenging aspects of manufacturing is tracking materials as they transform through production. Raw materials enter, undergo processing, and emerge as finished products,but the quantities must always balance. Our system maintains complete mass balance integrity throughout the manufacturing process.
Every material released from inventory enters a tracked journey through production. The system records when materials are released, which step they're at, and what happens to them at each stage. Materials can be in one of several states: in-process (currently being worked), completed (finished successfully), scrapped (removed as waste), rework (sent back for reprocessing), or consumed (used up in transformation).
The fundamental principle is simple: what goes in must be accounted for. Released materials must equal the sum of completed + scrapped + rework + in-process + consumed. The system continuously validates this equation, immediately flagging any discrepancy. If materials "disappear" without documentation, the variance is visible instantly.
Mass balance operates at both the total level and individual batch level. Each batch released from inventory has its own balance calculation. If Batch A released 100 units, the system tracks exactly how many from Batch A are completed, scrapped, in rework, or still in process. This granular tracking supports full lot traceability for regulated industries.
A visual timeline shows the complete "Material Journey",every event that affected the materials. Releases, step starts, pauses, completions, scrapping, and rework events all appear chronologically with timestamps, operators, machines, and quantities. This creates an auditable history of exactly what happened to every piece of material.
Manufacturing jobs generate and require multiple documents,work orders, engineering drawings, quality checklists, specifications, and more. Rather than storing these separately and hunting for them during production, all documents attach directly to their associated jobs.
Documents organize by job, with expandable sections showing the document count and contents for each job. Operators working on a job can access all relevant drawings and specifications without leaving the job screen. Engineering drawings display at the workstation when needed, quality checklists are available during inspections, and specifications are accessible throughout production.
The system supports multiple document types including PDF work orders, CAD engineering drawings, Excel checklists, and specification documents. Version control ensures operators always access the current revision, with upload dates visible for verification. When engineering releases a drawing update, the new version attaches to the job and operators see the latest information.
Completed jobs don't just disappear,they become valuable data for continuous improvement. The job history captures performance metrics that help identify patterns, optimize processes, and make better estimates for future work.
Jobs can be filtered by time period,last month, last quarter, or custom ranges. Search functionality finds specific jobs by number, customer, or description. Comparing similar jobs over time reveals whether processes are improving or degrading.
When quoting new jobs, historical data from similar past jobs provides accurate time and yield estimates. Jobs that took longer than expected can be analyzed to understand why. High-yield jobs reveal best practices that can be applied to other work. The accumulated history builds institutional knowledge that persists even as team members change.
Job Management doesn't operate in isolation,it connects seamlessly with other system modules to create a unified manufacturing environment.
Jobs appear directly in the scheduling Gantt chart. Machine bookings tie to specific job steps, so schedulers see exactly when each machine is needed for which job. When scheduling conflicts arise, the system detects them before they cause production problems.
Material requirements defined in job procedures connect directly to inventory. When releasing materials to a job, the system knows exactly what's needed and where it's going. Multi-job material release allows allocating inventory across several jobs simultaneously.
Quality checkpoints embedded in procedures connect to the quality management system. Inspection results record against the job, defects link to specific jobs and steps, and rework routes back through the job system for reprocessing.
Each procedure step can specify which machine is required. The system matches machine capabilities to step requirements and shows machine availability during planning. Machine performance metrics connect to job execution data.
Jobs assign to departments, and department managers see their workload across all assigned jobs. Filtering by department shows only relevant work, and department-level metrics aggregate job performance for management reporting.
Drag-and-drop procedures with template library for standardization
Quality gates woven into procedures, not bolted on separately
Complete tracking ensuring input materials equal accounted outputs
All job documents organized and accessible during production
Historical metrics for continuous improvement and accurate estimates
Connected to scheduling, inventory, quality, machines, and departments
Complete HR and workforce management with leave tracking, holidays, reimbursements, assets, travel, training, department structures, reporting hierarchies, and self-service portal
Delegate your approval authority when you're away
Users can be restored within 30 days of deletion
Managing employees involves more than storing contact information. From leave requests to expense claims, from onboarding new hires to tracking approvals, our User Management module provides a complete HR ecosystem integrated into manufacturing operations.
Employees shouldn't need to navigate multiple systems for different HR tasks. Our self-service portal consolidates seven complete HR modules into a single, unified interface where employees can handle all their HR needs.
Employees see their leave balances at a glance,vacation days remaining, sick leave available, personal time accrued. Requesting leave takes seconds: select the type, pick the dates, add a reason, and submit. The system shows exactly who will approve the request and the estimated timeline. A personal leave calendar displays upcoming approved time off, and the history tab shows every past request with its outcome.
Expense claims flow through a structured process. Employees photograph receipts, categorize expenses, enter amounts, and attach supporting documents. Each claim shows its current status,submitted, under review, approved, or paid. Running totals display how much is pending approval versus already reimbursed.
Company equipment assigned to an employee appears in their asset tab,laptops, monitors, phones, access cards. When employees need new equipment, they submit requests specifying what they need and why. The system tracks the full lifecycle: request submitted, approved, asset assigned, and eventually returned.
Business travel requests capture the complete trip: destination, dates, purpose, estimated costs, and required approvals. Once approved, employees can add booking details, itineraries, and travel documents. Post-trip, the travel record connects to expense reimbursements for that journey.
A training catalog shows available courses, certifications, and learning opportunities. Employees browse by category, see prerequisites, and enroll directly. Their training history tracks completed courses, earned certifications, and expiration dates for time-limited credentials.
Time tracking happens in real-time. Employees clock in when they arrive and clock out when they leave,one tap on their device. The weekly timesheet view shows hours worked each day, break times, and any overtime. If something needs correction, employees submit correction requests through the same interface.
The general requests section handles work-from-home requests, attendance regularization (explaining absences or late arrivals), and profile update requests (changes to personal information that require HR approval). Each request type has its own workflow but lives in one accessible location.
The unified design means employees learn one interface and can handle all their HR needs without training on multiple systems.
Every organization has different approval requirements. A small company might need only manager approval for leave, while a large enterprise might require multiple levels based on request duration or amount. Our approval system adapts to any organizational structure without custom development.
Approvals route differently based on the request itself. A one-day leave might go only to the direct manager, while a two-week vacation routes through the manager, then to the department head. An expense claim under a certain amount might need just one approval, while larger amounts require finance review. These conditions configure through rules, not code.
Instead of naming specific people as approvers (which breaks when people change roles), the system uses role-based routing. "Line Manager" means whoever is currently the employee's manager. "Department Head" means whoever currently leads that department. When organizational changes happen, approval routing automatically adjusts.
Simple requests use single-level approval,one person says yes or no. Complex requests use sequential multi-level approval,the request passes through a chain of approvers in order. Cross-functional requests use parallel approval,multiple people from different departments review simultaneously. The system supports combining these patterns for sophisticated workflows.
Sometimes approval shouldn't depend on one specific person. Approval groups define a pool of qualified approvers. The finance team might be a group where any senior accountant can approve expense reports. The HR committee might require majority approval for policy exceptions. Groups configure whether any member can approve, all must approve, or a majority decides.
When the designated approver is unavailable,on vacation, out sick, or simply not responding - the system doesn't stall. Fallback rules route to alternate approvers automatically. The department head becomes the fallback when the manager is away. HR becomes the fallback when the department head is unavailable. Requests keep moving.
Before submitting any request, employees see exactly who will need to approve it. No surprises about why a request is taking time or who's holding it up. The approval chain displays upfront, setting clear expectations.
Bringing new employees into an organization involves dozens of tasks across multiple departments. IT needs to provision accounts, facilities needs to assign workspace, HR needs to collect documents, managers need to schedule training. Our template builder ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
The same builder creates offboarding workflows for departing employees. Asset return tasks ensure company equipment comes back. Access revocation tasks ensure accounts get disabled promptly. Knowledge transfer tasks ensure critical information doesn't walk out the door. Exit interview tasks capture feedback. Final settlement tasks ensure the employee receives everything owed.
Usage tracking shows how often each template is used, average completion times, and which tasks frequently cause delays. This data drives continuous improvement in the onboarding experience.
Organizational structure isn't just an org chart on the wall,it's the foundation for how work flows through the company. Our system maintains a complete, dynamic representation of the organization that drives automatic routing and visibility.
Departments organize in a tree structure. The company might have an Engineering division containing Backend, Frontend, and DevOps departments. Each department knows its parent, and the system can traverse up and down the hierarchy. This structure reflects how the real organization operates.
When an employee submits a request, they don't need to know who should approve it. The system determines the approver automatically based on the organizational structure and approval rules. The line manager approval finds whoever the employee reports to. The department head approval finds whoever leads that department. The skip-level approval finds the manager's manager. If someone leaves or changes roles, approval routing adjusts automatically.
Managers see their full organizational scope,their direct reports, their reports' reports, and the complete subtree of the organization they oversee. This visibility enables effective management without manual tracking of who works for whom.
Leave, Reimbursement, Asset, Travel, Training, Timesheet, and General Requests in one portal
Configurable routing with conditions, role-based approvers, and fallback handling
Task dependencies, checklists, document requirements, and usage tracking
Hierarchical departments with dynamic routing based on organizational structure
Customer-centric project execution with templates, instance monitoring, material flow tracking, and BOM management
In a typical manufacturing environment, engineers and operators are focused on production,they're running machines, completing steps, and ensuring quality. But there's a constant stream of questions from other stakeholders: "What's the status of the customer's order?" "How are we doing on that big project?" "What's the actual material cost?" "Was the shipment sent?" Every one of these questions interrupts engineers and slows down production. The Project Module's Instance Monitor solves this by giving stakeholders direct visibility into project status, material history, and costs,without sending a single message to the shop floor.
Management and sales teams can see exactly what's happening with their projects without interrupting engineers on the shop floor. The Execute tab provides complete visibility into production status.
Used by: Sales Representatives, CEOs/Directors, Department Heads, Customer Service, Account Managers
Each job displays a schedule adherence percentage showing whether production is on track, ahead, or behind schedule. This gives management instant visibility without waiting for end-of-day reports.
The Track tab provides a chronological event history of every material movement within the project instance, giving complete visibility into what happened, when, and why.
Used by: Quality Managers, Finance/Accounting, Compliance Officers, Customer Service, Supply Chain Managers, Operations Managers
The material flow timeline supports multi-criteria filtering to quickly find specific events among potentially thousands of records.
Every material movement records complete traceability information, enabling root cause analysis and regulatory compliance.
When materials are shipped or disposed, the system captures and displays comprehensive details for customer service and compliance needs.
The BOM tab shows all Bills of Materials for every job in the instance in one unified view, eliminating the need to navigate to each job separately.
Used by: Finance/Accounting, CEOs/Directors, Sales Representatives, Procurement, Project Managers, Controllers
BOM costs are calculated using actual batch unit costs from inventory, not static catalog prices, providing accurate job costing for profitability analysis.
The BOM tab categorizes costs by where materials originated, helping identify which category contributes most to costs.
When building templates, the system automatically analyzes job dependencies and generates optimal sequence, eliminating manual sequencing errors.
The three monitoring tabs (Execute, Track, BOM) are designed specifically for non-engineering stakeholders, enabling them to get answers without interrupting production.
The result: Engineers stay focused on production. Stakeholders get answers instantly. No more interruptions, no more waiting, no more "I'll check and get back to you."
Complete sales pipeline management from leads to invoices with campaign tracking, opportunity management, quotes, and payment processing
In traditional CRM systems, a "sale" ends when the customer signs the quote. But for manufacturing companies, that's just the beginning. The production team needs to know exactly what was promised,which products, what specifications, what quantities, and what delivery dates. When sales and production use disconnected systems, miscommunication is inevitable. TUC4Human's CRM is built from the ground up for manufacturing businesses, connecting every stage from first contact to final delivery in one unified system.
Every opportunity line item can directly link to your actual material catalog and recipe database. When a sales rep adds a product to an opportunity, they're selecting the actual product with its bill of materials, routing, and cost structure already defined.
Used by: Sales Representatives, Sales Engineers, Production Planners, Procurement Team, Cost Estimators
TUC4Human implements the complete manufacturing business cycle in one unified system. From the first marketing touchpoint to the final invoice payment, every step is connected and visible.
Used by: Marketing, Sales, Estimating, Project Management, Production, Accounts Receivable, Executive Leadership
Every lead is automatically scored the moment it enters the system based on objective criteria that indicate buying readiness and potential value. Sales reps see the score immediately and can prioritize their outreach accordingly.
Used by: Sales Representatives, Sales Managers, Marketing Team, Sales Operations
The system automatically captures the activities that matter most,stage changes, assignments, status updates, and key field modifications. The critical audit trail happens without any manual effort from sales reps.
Used by: Sales Representatives, Sales Managers, New Team Members, Customer Service, Account Managers
Pipeline stages are stored in the database and fully customizable through an administrative interface. Add, remove, rename, and reorder stages to match your exact sales process.
Used by: Sales Operations, Sales Leadership, Sales Representatives, Sales Managers
Direct integration with Gmail using secure OAuth2 authentication. Send emails directly from opportunity and customer records, use pre-built templates for consistency, and automatically track opens and clicks.
Used by: Sales Representatives, Marketing Team, Sales Managers, Sales Operations
Complete contract lifecycle management integrated directly with customer and opportunity records. Track every contract from draft through active service to renewal or termination.
Used by: Sales Representatives, Account Managers, Legal Team, Finance Department, Executive Leadership
Every opportunity can have detailed line items with quantities, pricing, discounts, and taxes. Each line item can link directly to your material catalog and recipe database for accurate costing.
Used by: Sales Representatives, Sales Engineers, Estimators, Production Planning, Finance Team
A structured qualification workflow that separates Leads (unqualified prospects) from Opportunities (qualified deals). Clear status progressions, disqualification tracking, and a formal conversion process ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Used by: Marketing Team, Sales Development Reps (SDRs), Account Executives, Sales Managers, Sales Operations
Sales reps can see real-time production status directly from customer and opportunity records. The Instance Monitor integration brings shop floor visibility into the CRM without requiring production system access.
Used by: Sales Representatives, Customer Service Team, Account Managers, Sales Managers
Each customer can have unlimited contacts, each with defined roles, titles, departments, and communication preferences. Navigate complex B2B buying committees effectively.
Used by: Sales Representatives, Marketing Team, Account Managers, Customer Service
Understanding Industrial Scheduling Models: A Comprehensive Guide for Modern Manufacturing
Imagine you're conducting an orchestra where musicians might call in sick, instruments could break mid-performance, and the audience has different expectations for when each movement should finish. This is essentially what production scheduling faces every day.
In manufacturing, we encounter two primary types of production systems, and each requires its own scheduling approach. Think of it like the difference between baking bread in batches versus running a continuous oil refinery. Both produce valuable products, but the way we plan and control them differs fundamentally.
Orchestrating Discrete Production Runs
Imagine a bakery that makes different types of bread. They don't make one loaf at a time,instead, they mix enough dough for 50 loaves of whole wheat, bake them all, then clean the equipment and switch to making 30 loaves of sourdough. Each group of similar products made together is a "batch."
The Batch Scheduling Model is designed specifically for this type of production environment. Whether you're making automotive parts, pharmaceutical products, or baked goods, if you produce items in distinct groups or batches, this model helps you decide which batches to run when, on which equipment, and in what order.
The standard Batch Model thinks about scheduling the way an efficiency expert might approach organizing a warehouse,everything can be measured, added up, and optimized mathematically. It looks at your entire production facility as an integrated system and tries to balance multiple objectives simultaneously.
Think of these objectives as different voices in a committee meeting, each advocating for their priority. One voice says "finish everything as quickly as possible," another insists "keep the expensive equipment running," while a third demands "make sure important customers get served first." The standard model essentially finds a compromise that minimizes the total "unhappiness" across all these competing demands.
Picture an automotive parts facility serving three customers. When operations run smoothly, the standard Batch Model creates an elegant schedule: the critical batch processes first, ensuring those parts are ready well before deadline. The important customer's batch runs second, also finishing on time. The regular customer's batch completes last but still meets its deadline. Everyone is satisfied.
Now imagine halfway through the morning, critical equipment breaks down. The repair will take an hour or two. The standard Batch Model responds by making hard mathematical choices. It calculates that protecting the critical customer completely while sacrificing the regular customer results in the minimum total delay across all batches.
From a pure numbers perspective, this approach minimizes the sum of all delays. But the regular customer, completely sacrificed to protect others, feels abandoned and starts questioning whether they need a more reliable supplier.
The Hybrid Batch Model starts from a different philosophical foundation. Instead of treating every minute of delay as having equal cost, it recognizes a fundamental business truth that mirrors human psychology.
Think about waiting in a restaurant. The difference between getting your meal in 15 minutes versus 20 minutes is barely noticeable. But the difference between 20 minutes and an hour fundamentally changes your dining experience. The Hybrid Model understands that delays work the same way in manufacturing,the first delays are far more damaging to customer relationships than additional delays.
Returning to our equipment breakdown scenario, the Hybrid Batch Model makes fundamentally different choices. Instead of completely protecting some customers while abandoning others, it seeks a more balanced approach:
All three customers end up in a similar position,somewhat inconvenienced, but they all understand that equipment failures are a reality of manufacturing. Most importantly, they all feel they were treated fairly.
Managing Flow Processes
Instead of distinct batches, imagine a production process that flows continuously, like a river rather than a series of buckets. Think about how an oil refinery operates,crude oil continuously enters the facility, flows through various processing stages, and emerges as different refined products. Or consider a paper mill where wood pulp continuously transforms into paper through a series of sequential steps.
The Continuous Scheduling Model is designed for exactly these situations where products must flow through a fixed sequence of processing steps. Unlike batch production where you might choose different routes for different products, continuous processes typically have a defined path that products must follow, much like how water must flow downhill following the terrain.
The standard Continuous Model approaches scheduling with a focus on minimizing the total time products spend flowing through all processing steps. Imagine tracking not just when a product enters and exits your facility, but monitoring its progress through each individual stage of transformation.
Picture a continuous manufacturing line with three main stages: initial processing, intermediate transformation, and final finishing. Products must flow through these stages in sequence, much like cars moving through an automated car wash where each stage performs a specific function that depends on the previous stage being completed.
What happens when one stage encounters problems? Imagine the middle stage suddenly operates at half speed due to equipment issues. Products completing the first stage begin to accumulate, waiting for their turn at the slower middle stage. Meanwhile, the final stage starts running out of work because the middle stage can't keep up.
The standard model, focused on mathematical optimization, maintains the original production sequence rigidly. It's like insisting that cars remain in their exact lane order even when one lane is blocked. The result is a growing bottleneck that creates ripple effects throughout the entire system.
The Hybrid Continuous Model brings a more nuanced understanding to continuous process management. It recognizes a crucial characteristic of continuous processes: disruptions tend to amplify as they propagate through the system. A small variation at one stage can create increasingly large problems downstream, much like how a small pebble can trigger an avalanche.
This model incorporates flexibility within the constraints of continuous flow. While products must still follow the overall sequence of stages, the hybrid approach looks for opportunities to buffer disruptions and prevent them from cascading catastrophically through the system.
Consider the same scenario where the middle stage slows down. The Hybrid Continuous Model might:
The key insight is that the hybrid model doesn't just minimize total delays,it specifically works to prevent the formation of severe bottlenecks that can cripple continuous processes. It's like having an intelligent traffic management system that detects slowdowns and adjusts flow rates before gridlock occurs.
The choice between Batch and Continuous models isn't really a choice at all,it's determined by the fundamental nature of your production process.
Your operation naturally divides into distinct groups of products (like making 100 red widgets, then 50 blue widgets). You have discrete decision points where you can change direction.
Machine shops, printing companies, custom fabrication, repair servicesYour operation involves materials flowing continuously through a series of transformations. You can't simply stop the flow and restart,the process has momentum and constraints.
Oil refining, chemical processing, paper mills, food processing linesWithin each type of production system, you face a more philosophical choice. Standard models are like strict teachers who grade purely by the numbers,every point lost counts the same. Hybrid models are like experienced teachers who understand that the difference between an A and a B matters far more than the difference between an 85 and an 83.
Modern production scheduling is about far more than just deciding what to make when. It's about understanding the complex interplay between operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, risk management, and business sustainability.
Give us the comfort of mathematical optimization. They can prove, numerically, that they've found the best possible schedule according to defined criteria. They work wonderfully in stable environments where we can accurately predict and quantify all relevant factors.
Give us the wisdom of experienced managers who understand that not everything that matters can be easily measured. They recognize that avoiding one catastrophic failure is often worth accepting several minor inefficiencies. Ideal for uncertain environments where disruptions are common.
The goal isn't to achieve mathematical perfection,it's to create schedules that help your business thrive in the real world of uncertain demand, equipment failures, and complex customer relationships.
Test changes before they impact your production
What-If Scenarios let you safely test modifications to your schedule before applying them to actual production. Instead of guessing what might happen if a machine breaks down or a rush order arrives, you can simulate these situations and see exactly how your schedule would respond.
The system runs your scenario against all four scheduling models simultaneously, comparing results so you can choose the best approach for each situation.
"What happens to my schedule if Machine A goes down for 2 hours tomorrow morning?"
Simulate unplanned downtime to see which jobs get delayed, how much the overall schedule slips, and whether critical deadlines are still met. The system automatically suggests alternative machines and reschedules affected jobs.
"Can I fit this urgent order into today's schedule without destroying existing commitments?"
Test inserting a new high-priority job and see the ripple effects on all other orders. The system shows you exactly which customers will be affected and by how much, letting you make informed trade-off decisions.
"What if my best CNC operator calls in sick tomorrow?"
Simulate operator unavailability or skill changes. The system reassigns work to qualified operators and shows you the impact on production time and quality,some operators may take longer or have different skill levels.
"Should I add a second shift? What if I bring a new machine online?"
Model adding or removing capacity to see the real impact on throughput. Useful for capital planning decisions,see whether that expensive new machine will actually improve your schedule before you buy it.
"When is the best time to schedule preventive maintenance without disrupting critical orders?"
Test different maintenance time slots and see which causes the least disruption. The system finds optimal windows where equipment downtime has minimal impact on customer deliveries.
"What if this new material takes 20% longer to machine?"
Adjust processing times (by minutes or percentage) to see how variations affect the overall schedule. Useful when working with new materials, new operators, or uncertain estimates.
"What if the customer needs delivery by 2 PM instead of 5 PM?"
Add or remove scheduling constraints like fixed delivery times, equipment unavailability, or mandatory sequences. See whether the new constraint is achievable and what accommodations are needed.
Define what you want to test (e.g., "Machine B breakdown for 90 minutes starting 10 AM")
System runs your scenario against all four scheduling models simultaneously
See side-by-side comparison showing schedule impact, delayed jobs, and risk assessment
Choose to apply the reschedule, try different modifications, or keep current schedule
If you like the result, save it directly as your production schedule
Experiment without affecting actual production
See real numbers, not guesses
Find the best algorithm for each situation
Know exactly which customers are affected
System recommends better time slots when conflicts occur
Experiment with schedules without affecting production
Sandbox Mode creates a safe experimentation environment where you can test unlimited schedule modifications without affecting production or other users. Think of it as a personal "draft" workspace,make all the changes you want, run dozens of What-If scenarios, and only submit for approval when you're confident in the results.
Start with a copy of your current production schedule. The system tracks your original bookings versus your modifications, which jobs and machines you've changed, and automatically calculates the difference between original metrics and new metrics after your changes.
Try different job sequences, move jobs between machines, run multiple What-If scenarios, and compare various approaches. Your experiments don't affect production,it's your private workspace to find the best schedule before committing.
The system automatically calculates makespan improvement (or regression), utilization changes, jobs affected by your modifications, and provides an overall impact analysis comparing your sandbox to the current production schedule.
When you find an improvement, share a preview showing what changed, metrics improvement percentage, and number of jobs affected.
The supervisor reviews your sandbox, adds recommendations, and forwards to the manager for final approval.
The manager checks department-wide impact, runs additional scenarios if needed, and makes the final decision.
Once approved, changes apply to production schedule, all affected users are notified, and the sandbox is archived for audit.
Fine-tune auto-generated schedules without risk
Move multiple jobs across machines freely
Practice without affecting real production
Test "what if we move your order" scenarios during calls
Experiment with different shift configurations
Validate changes before submitting for approval
Make unlimited changes without affecting production
Operator โ Supervisor โ Manager workflow
Every approval step is logged for compliance
System warns if production changed since you started
Experience the power of intelligent manufacturing ERP