Scheduling System Narrows Skills Gap for Fire-Rated Glass

SOUTH LYON, Mich., Sept. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- User Solutions, a provider of production scheduling software solutions for manufacturers and job shops, today announces that Technical Glass Products, the recognized leader in the fire-rated glass and framing field, expanded their use of Resource Manager-DB (RMDB) to optimize their in-house, cross-trained, skilled resources.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160831/403163
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160831/403164

Technical Glass Products (TGP) has been using RMDB for years for finite capacity production scheduling.  They selected RMDB because of how it could quickly adapt to their operational flow as well as its ability to integrate with their in-house systems. This facilitated a rapid implementation time along with all users quickly embracing the system.  Recently, TGP noticed that their standards for task durations and resulting workcenter skill balancing had changed over time. They reached out to User Solutions to see how RMDB could be configured to include blending in new time studies, new product profiles, along with fluctuating workcenter capacities from a point in time moving forward, all the while preserving the actual tracking of schedule to date for historical analysis.

Leveraging RMDB's flexible configuration toolset, within only a few days of remote support, User Solutions was able to guide TGP through balancing in new time studies with cross-trained skill demands, add that to their current production schedule and then run a variety of 'what-if' scenarios. This produced a realistic master production plan 6 months out, from which TGP confirmed their cross-training initiatives and rapidly redeployed current resources. By shaving off two weeks in lead time for deliverables, TGP was able to accommodate a 4% increase in business with the current workforce, while maintaining their customer service standard.

"The Resource Manager-DB solution has once again exceeded our expectations regarding its adaptability," stated Scott McNeill, Production Scheduler for Technical Glass Products. "With only a couple of days of remote guidance from User Solutions, we greatly expanded RMDB's functionality to include defining cross-training initiatives and incorporate those results in a new production scheduling model that increased efficiencies. The result was our substantially increasing production capacity with existing resources. RMDB, along with our cross-trained workforce gives us a competitive advantage to quickly respond to new market conditions and business fluctuations without incurring additional expense."

Jim Convis, VP of User Solutions, explains, "After running their 'what-if' scenarios, we had TGP batch load all the new cycle times, then run a workcenter loading report that quickly displayed the total hours for each workcenter/skill required, to support new duration times. That report, combined with the capacity utilization report, confirmed their cross-training initiatives and enables them to rapidly redeploy current resources to accommodate the increase in business. Since they incorporated the details of each workcenters' requirements directly into the schedule, it is easy for these cross-trained workers to move from one operation to the next without missing a beat."

About User Solutions, Inc.
User Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1991 in response to the demand for lower cost, easy to learn and use software solutions for the manufacturing and operations management markets. As either an add-on solution to existing ERP solutions, or running stand alone, their affordable planning, scheduling, and tracking solutions are known for great flexibility and rapid implementation.

About Technical Glass Products (TGP)
Since 1980, Technical Glass Products (TGP) has been supplying the architectural and commercial building industry with innovative solutions for specialized glazing needs. TGP is the recognized leader in the fire-rated glass and framing field, working closely with design professionals, building code officials and manufacturers to identify glass and framing solutions for the wide-ranging requirements of today's commercial buildings.

Media contact:

Nancy Zarrow

Email

617-872-6360

SOURCE User Solutions, Inc.

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