Abstract: A method for constrained business plan optimization based on attributes. The method, according to one embodiment, uses business data of a manufacturer to generate constrained business plans using one or more attribute-based constraints. The method is highly efficient in organizations having a complex organizational structure, multiple interactive production flows, many products, many customers and the need to rapidly add attribute-based constraints. It allows managers to make better strategic and tactical decisions regarding their business, thereby maximizing profit while satisfying constraints.

Abstract: The interactive sales planner allows users (e.g., salespersons) to make real time sales decisions in accordance with a profit-maximizing business (e.g., sales) plan. The interactive sales planner uses target information of an optimized business plan generated using business data of an organization. The method is highly efficient in organizations having many products, many customers, and complex production facilities with multiple, interactive product flows.

Abstract: A method for generating an asset loading plan is provided. The method determines at high accuracy which products and sales orders to load on which assets (e.g., machines) in order to gain a maximum profit. Specifically, the method generates an optimized loading plan of sales orders that were produced and a least opportunity cost loading plan of sales orders that were not produced. In accordance with one embodiment the method generates a chart that shows, for each asset (or a set of assets), the cash contribution per minute versus the number of cumulative production minutes. In accordance with another embodiment the method computes the marginal cash contribution to determine the additional cash contribution that could be made if additional production time is allocated to a specific asset.

Abstract: In a computer implemented system, business data composed of production and sales data is used to generate business plans optimized according to a plurality of attributes. The method is highly efficient in complex organizations having multiple interactive production flows, many products and/or many customers. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a method allowing the comparison between multiple business plans optimized according to different attributes is provided. It allows managers to make better strategic and tactical decision regarding which products to offer and which customers and markets to serve, thereby maximizing the profit the organization.

Abstract: A cycle time costing method and apparatus is provided to obtain cost, efficiency, bottleneck and value creation information in a manufacturing facility. The manufacturing facility includes a plurality of production lines with each production line including a plurality of process steps. A work cell which includes a plurality of workers is responsible for each process step. Each work cell has an associated local processing apparatus for inputting process step quantity and time information. The local processing apparatus is coupled to a central processing apparatus via local area network. The central processing apparatus then calculates cycle time costing information regarding each work cell in the manufacturing facility. The cycle time costing information may include, among other information, gross cycle time, net cycle time, bottleneck costs and scrap information for each process step and/or a product manufactured by a plurality of process steps.

Abstract: A cycle time method and apparatus is provided to obtain cost, efficiency, bottleneck and value creation information in a manufacturing facility. The manufacturing facility includes a plurality of production lines with each production line including a plurality of process steps. A work cell which includes a plurality of workers is responsible for each process step. Each work cell has an associated local processing apparatus for inputting process step quantity and time information. The local processing apparatus is coupled to a central processing apparatus via local area network. The central processing apparatus then identifies and calculates bottleneck costing information regarding the process steps, as well as the manufacturing facility bottleneck. Bottleneck cost information for products are then calculated based upon the manufacturing facility bottleneck or factory bottleneck. The bottleneck costing information is then transferred to a printer or projection display nearby a work cell.