Abstract: An improved system and method for scheduling a plurality of orders into a factory for processing by one or more of a plurality of machines located therein, based on the use of a Continuity Index job release strategy. The system and method is particularly addressed to the enhancement of such a job release strategy by introduction of Factory Profile and priority criteria and an algorithm for automatic determination of an optimum job release point based on such criteria.

Abstract: An improved system and method for scheduling a plurality of orders into a factory for processing by one or more of a plurality of machines located therein, based on the use of a Continuity Index job release strategy. The system and method is particularly addressed to the enhancement of such a job release strategy by introduction of Factory Profile and priority criteria and an algorithm for automatic determination of an optimum job release point based on such criteria.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the release of jobs from a pool of pending jobs into a factory, which includes a plurality of machines processing jobs-in-progress, which comprises the following steps. First, a continuity index (CI) is calculated for one of the jobs in the job pool, which is related to the total amount of processing time required by that job, and the anticipated time to finish that job. Second, a mean continuity index (MCI) is calculated related to the CI of all of the jobs processed by the factory in a predetermined period of time. Third, a lower range (r.sub.1) and an upper range (r.sub.2) are calculated which are related to the utilization factor of the machines and the fraction of jobs which are on time. Finally, a job is released from job pool into said factory if:MCI-r.sub.1 .ltoreq.CI.ltoreq.MCI+r.sub.2otherwise, the steps are repeated for the other jobs remaining in the job pool.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the release of jobs from a pool of pending jobs into a factory, which includes a plurality of machines processing jobs-in-progress, which comprises the following steps. First, a continuity index (CI) is calculated for one of the jobs in the job pool, which is related to the total amount of processing time required by that job, and the antipicated time to finish that job. Second, a mean continuity index (MCI) is calculated related to the CI of all of the jobs processed by the factory in a predetermined period of time. Third, a lower range (r.sub.1) and an upper range (r.sub.2) are calculated which are releated to the utilization factor of the machines and the fraction of jobs which are on time. Finally, a job is released from job pool into said factory if:MCI-r.sub.1 .ltoreq.CI.ltoreq.MCI+r.sub.2otherwise, the steps are repeated for the other jobs remaining in the job pool.