JOP-Gantt - Batch Scheduling extension for the JOP-App for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Overview
The Batch Scheduling page provides a graphical overview of batch production and allows batches to be scheduled on machines using an interactive timeline.
Machines are displayed as separate rows and batches as time-based blocks. Unplanned batches can be assigned to machines by drag-and-drop. Planned batches can be moved to another time or, where permitted, to another machine.
The scheduling view also shows batches that are currently running or have already been completed. This provides planners with an overview of planned, current, and recent machine utilization.
Open Batch Scheduling
Open the Batch Scheduling page from the Business Central search, role-center, or from a batch. When Batch Scheduling is opened from a batch that is already assigned to a machine, the scheduling view automatically locates and selects that batch.
The scheduling scope is determined by the Responsibility Center and Production Department assigned to the current user.
Planning Period
When the page is opened, the planning period starts at the beginning of the current day. The number of days initially displayed is determined by Batch Planning Horizon on the Responsibility Center. The default value is 14 days.
You can move or zoom the timeline to display a different period. When the visible period changes, Business Central automatically loads the scheduling data for the new period.
Choose Reset View to return to the default planning period. Choose Refresh to reload the scheduling data for the currently displayed period.
Scheduling View
Each available machine is displayed as a separate row on the timeline. Only non-blocked machines belonging to the current Responsibility Center are shown.
Information displayed directly on a batch can include:
- Batch No.
- Method
- Operation
- Planned or actual duration
- Priority, for batches that have not yet started
Point to a batch to display additional information. Depending on the batch state, the tooltip can include its machine, status, description, operation and method, planned or actual process time, planned, estimated or actual start and end times, and maintenance information.
Double-click a batch to open the corresponding Batch Card.
Batch Colors
Colors can be used to make different operations and processes easier to recognize. Specify the Planning Background Color and Planning Foreground Color on the Operation.
You can also define colors for a specific Operation/Method combination. These colors take precedence over the colors specified for the Operation. If no colors are configured, the default Batch Scheduling colors are used.
Batch States
The appearance and scheduling information of a batch depend on its production state.
Planned
A planned batch has not yet been started. The scheduling view uses its Planned Starting Date-Time and Planned Ending Date-Time. Planned batches can be rescheduled as long as they are available for editing.
Running
When processing has started, the actual Starting Date-Time replaces the planned starting time. As long as no actual process time has been recorded, the ending time is estimated from the actual Starting Date-Time plus the Planned Process Time.
Running batches are displayed with a striped pattern and cannot be rescheduled.
Completed
When a process time has been recorded, the scheduling view uses the actual starting time and actual process time. Completed batches are displayed with reduced emphasis.
If processing has been completed but the batch still has the status Released, the batch is shown as Posting Pending. This indicates that the production process has finished but the corresponding batch posting has not yet been completed.
Historical Batches
Batch Scheduling can display running and completed batches that started before the beginning of the visible planning period. Batch Planning History Days on the Responsibility Center determines how far Business Central looks back when retrieving these batches. The default value is 30 days.
Scheduling Batches
Schedule an Unplanned Batch
Batches that have not yet been assigned to a machine are displayed in the Unplanned Batches area above the timeline. They are sorted by Priority, Planned Starting Date-Time and Batch No. A lower Priority number represents a higher priority.
Drag an unplanned batch to the required machine and time on the timeline. The batch must have a Planned Process Time. Its planned ending time is calculated automatically from the selected starting time and the Planned Process Time.
After the change has been accepted, the batch is removed from the Unplanned Batches area and displayed on the selected machine.
Move a Scheduled Batch
Drag a planned batch horizontally to change its planned starting time. The complete batch is moved and its duration remains unchanged. You can also drag a batch vertically to assign it to another machine, subject to the configured scheduling restrictions.
Change the Scheduled Duration
Resize an editable planned batch directly on the timeline to change its planned starting or ending time. The graphical change is validated before it is saved.
Scheduling Intervals
When a batch is moved or resized, the selected time is aligned to the interval specified in Batch Planning Snap Minutes on the Responsibility Center. For example, a value of 15 aligns scheduling times to 15-minute intervals. The default value is 15 minutes.
Scheduling Restrictions
Prevent Scheduling Conflicts
Batches cannot overlap on the same machine. While you move or resize a batch, Batch Scheduling provides immediate graphical feedback if the proposed period overlaps another batch. Business Central performs the final validation before saving the change and rejects it if an overlap remains.
A batch also cannot be scheduled with a starting date and time in the past.
Batches That Cannot Be Rescheduled
A batch cannot be changed from Batch Scheduling after processing has started. Finished batches and batches that are otherwise fixed or unavailable for editing remain visible but cannot be moved or resized.
If another user changes the batch after the scheduling view was loaded, Business Central rejects the outdated scheduling change. Choose Refresh and perform the change again using the current data.
Restrict Scheduling by Machine Group
If Restrict Batch Planning by Machine Group is enabled on the Responsibility Center, an already scheduled batch can only be moved to another machine belonging to the same Machine Group. If the setting is disabled, Batch Scheduling does not apply this Machine Group restriction. Other validations for the batch and machine still apply.
Batch Scheduling Setup
The following settings on the Responsibility Center control Batch Scheduling:
- Batch Planning Horizon — Specifies the number of days displayed when Batch Scheduling is opened or Reset View is selected. The default is 14 days.
- Batch Planning Snap Minutes — Specifies the time interval to which graphical scheduling changes are aligned. The default is 15 minutes.
- Batch Planning History Days — Specifies how many days before the visible period are considered when retrieving running and completed batches. The default is 30 days.
- Restrict Batch Planning by Machine Group — Specifies whether an already scheduled batch can only be moved between machines belonging to the same Machine Group.