ERP and APS Optimization
Why Planning Systems Only Work with Rules, Segmentation, and Simulation
SAP or other ERP and APS systems form the digital backbone of your supply chain. However, many companies fail to leverage their potential: planning parameters are outdated, scheduling strategies are based on historical processes, and tools like ERP or APS systems are underutilized. The result: excessive inventory, poor delivery performance, and planning efforts relying on Excel spreadsheets. The quality of your ERP and APS configuration determines your competitiveness. Only with well-designed parameters, systematic segmentation, simulation, and automation can your IT deliver the impact that modern supply chains require.
Does this sound familiar?
– Does your SAP/ERP system deliver unreliable planning proposals?
– Do you only change planning parameters in exceptional cases or based on gut feeling?
– Are your inventory levels high, but your delivery readiness is suffering?
– Do your planners work more with Excel than with the ERP system?
– Are you lacking simulation, scenario planning, rule sets, and automation?
Then it’s time to rethink your planning and scheduling system.
Our consulting approach: Systematic, simulation-based optimization of your planning systems.
With us, you can systematically optimize your ERP and APS environment using simulation and role-based methods:
Analyze and optimize planning parameters
We classify your products, analyze demand patterns, and develop a segmented set of rules for planning and scheduling parameters. The goal: high delivery capacity with minimal capital commitment.
Simulation with Digital Twin
Instead of trial and error in the live system, we simulate alternative strategies, evaluate costs/benefits, and only implement what is worthwhile.
Integrate and utilize APS systems (e.g., DISKOVER).
We create the technical and procedural integration of your APS system and make its functions (e.g. forecasting, target value optimization, simulation) usable for your daily business.
Change Management & Training
We support your teams with training, practical guidance and role-based dashboards – for maximum acceptance and sustainability.
Automating scheduling (Scheduling 4.0)
With clear rules and intelligent software, we automate standard decisions and relieve the burden on your planners.
Examples of our consulting services
– Optimization of SAP planning strategies (including forecasting methods, planning parameters, and safety stock)
– Integration and use of DISKOVER SCO as an APS system
– Simulation of delivery performance, inventory, and costs
– Implementation of a rule-based planning model
– Planning parameter optimization
– Partial and full automation of planning
Typical questions we answer:
– Which planning parameters are appropriate for which segment?
– How can we leverage APS functionalities effectively?
– How can we simulate alternatives without jeopardizing the live system?
– How can we create transparency regarding the impact on inventory, service, and effort?
– How can we gain acceptance among planners and users?
What makes us different
We consider IT, processes, and people together. Our simulations replace gut feeling with facts. Our rule sets simplify your planning. And our integrated approach transforms your ERP/APS landscape into a true competitive advantage. Over 40 customer projects with inventory reductions of >15–25% while simultaneously improving service speak for themselves.
Simulation instead of gut feeling
We test strategies in the Digital Twin before they go live.
Automation with a sense of proportion
Not everything that can be automated should be automated. We make sensible distinctions.
Rule set instead of individual corrections
Our segmented parametrics replace manual care.
IT + Organisation
We think about software, processes, and roles together.
Experience from over 100 ERP/APS projects
Our references range from medium-sized businesses to corporations, from make-to-stock to engineer-to-order.
Montblanc halved its inventory value with our help while maintaining the same delivery capacity.
HANSA-FLEX linked SAP with DISKOVER and reduced the planning effort for 250 branches.
A medium-sized pharmaceutical company reduced its inventories
by 35% while maintaining a 96% target delivery capability.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of combining ERP and APS?
ERP provides the basic processes, APS extends this with intelligent planning: forecast, simulation, target value optimization, scenarios.
How much automation makes sense?
Automation is not an end in itself. Standard cases, yes; special cases, no. We help with differentiation.
How does simulation with the Digital Twin work?
We digitally map your supply chain and simulate parameter changes (e.g., safety stocks, lot sizes). This allows you to see the effects before you intervene live.
What distinguishes your optimization from a system upgrade?
We make better use of existing systems instead of introducing new ones. Our projects focus on impact, not on changing tools.
How long does a typical optimization project take?
Depending on the extent of the procedure, it takes 3 to 6 months. Initial results are usually visible after a few weeks.