APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling) Asprova APS
APS system that creates production schedules
at high speed for multiple items and multiple processes
Implementation considerations
What is the production scheduler Asprova?
Q：What is Asprova?
A：
Considering loads on machines and workers, Asprova creates schedules for tomorrow and later at precisions of up to one second for each individual machine and worker in your factory and outputs realistic work instructions based on the schedule. Asprova enables you to realize visual management by creating high-precision schedules for several months into the future, while helping you to increase your profit by shortening lead times, reducing inventory, and increasing on-time deliveries.
Steps for considering the implementation of the production scheduler Asprova?
Q：Steps for considering the implementation of the production scheduler Asprova
A：
However, using the following information and services will be helpful in making the process smoothly.
(1) First, please look over this Q and A section.
The rest of this page contains a useful set of questions and answers about implementation considerations. These will be useful when you want to glance over information about considering the implementation. Next, please read other sections of the FAQ as necessary. In addition, the "Asprova" section of the website summarizes the information in Asprova's brochure. Specific implementation examples are described in the "Case Studies" section.
(2) Attend Asprova's seminars.
The "Free Introductory Seminar" is provided for a demonstration and basic explanation of Asprova. For places and schedules, please check the "Seminars" section. Also, those who are busy or live far from the seminar places and cannot attend the free introductory seminar will be able to understand the contents of the seminar in a short time by viewing the "Web Seminar".
(3) Download the free trial version of Asprova.
The free trial version of Asprova is available to try out its full set of features. Register as a member to download the free trial version of the Asprova. Click here to become a member. You can try operating Asprova using sample data or create a prototype by entering your own factory's data.
(4) For specific information about the implementation, please inquire with Asprova's distributors.
Product structure of the production scheduler Asprova
Q：What is the product structure of the production scheduler Asprova
A：
*Asprova MS - Short term scheduling. Using finite-capacity scheduling, creates detailed production schedules at high speed based on master and order data. Main body of the production scheduler.
*Asprova LS - Long term scheduling. Enables creation of a schedule with finite-capacity 'rough' scheduling, useful in longer projections for factory management.
*Asprova MRP - Material requirement planning. Although not as accurate, this module allows creation of a schedule with the minimum of master data, if there is no need to create detailed schedules for factory resources.
*Asprova APS - Advanced scheduling. This license includes Asprova MS, LS along with the Sales and Purchase options. This allows performing long, mid, and short term scheduling across sales, manufacturing and purchasing in a single module.
*Asprova BOM - Bill of materials. This license allows editing of the master data, and some limited scheduling capability. This module is useful to have more than one person managing the master data, without purchasing another full MS license.
*Asprova MES - Manufacturing execution. Enables viewing of the schedule, and entry of results data. Typically this module is used by the shop floor staff to report the actual progress of the scheduled operations. Sales divisions can also use this module to check due dates and schedules for specific orders. (One license of Asprova MS is required in order for this license to be meaningful.)
*Asprova NLS / Asprova DS - Networked licensing. Typically Asprova licenses are enabled via a USB dongle. In order to avoid the need to physically carry dongles to other PCs to use Asprova, the network licensing system allows remote PCs to connect to a server which holds the licensing information, and obtain a license via the network. This opens up the possibility of sharing licenses across factories in multiple countries. Asprova DS allows storing the project data itself at a common location as well, and enables 'transactions', which for example allow users of the MES modules to submit results data while the main MS/APS module is running. (Normally, a project would need to be saved and given to the other user, meaning only one user can edit a project at a time.)
Options available for the production scheduler Asprova
Q：What is the options available for the production scheduler Asprova
A：
*Sales option. In make-to-stock production, pegs forecast manufacturing orders to sales orders from customers. Overproduction and shortage can be controlled through monitoring the pegging status of the forecast manufacturing orders, which enables minimizing the inventory level of finished items while minimizing shortage in the items.
*Purchase option. Purchase orders considering purchase lead times will be generated and pegged to a production schedule, which enables minimizing the inventory level of purchased items while minimizing shortage in the items.
*Time Constraint MAX option. Controls the time constraint MAX (i.e. the maximum length of time between two processes) between processes. For example, this option is used for cases where an item will deteriorate if a certain length of time passes between two processes in which the item is produced.
*Resource Logic option. Specifies not to assign another operation to a resource (machine) unless all the following processes on the resource end. For example, this option is used for cases where a liquid item produced in a tank resource is casted into the next process while an operation of the next process is performed.
*Optimization option. Optimizes the sequence of operations on a resource. Many arrangements are possible, but typically so that the same items and same item groups will be produced consecutively, enabling reducing setup times and changeover times while maintaining due date performance.
*Event option. Inserts 'events' (usually some kind of maintenance event for machinery) into the schedule automatically, given a set of customizable conditions, for example after a certain number of items have been produced. This enables automating the scheduling of cleaning and liquid-changing in semiconductor fabrication and chemical processes and the management of the number of guaranteed shots for metal molds.
* KPI - Key performance indicator. Allows for a monetary cost to be associated with items in the schedule, hourly costs for running resources, etc. After a schedule is made the KPI calculation takes into account the cost incurred by each resource, the income made on each sales order etc, and gives an indicator of which products are profitable, where costs are highest etc. This is most commonly used with a LS schedule.
Price list and implementation cost of the production scheduler Asprova
Q：What is the price list and implementation cost of the production scheduler Asprova
A：
Other than the package price, usually the cost of operation education, consultation about implementation, system integration, and other costs will be required. Therefore, the cost of implementing Asprova is the sum of those costs. For quotations, please inquire with Asprova's distributors.
Recommended system environment
Q：How about the recommended system environment
A：
Windows2000, Windows XP or Windows Vista (supported from version 5.0.0 onwards) for OS, Pentium 4 and above for CPU, and 1G and above for memory. The required memory size depends on the amount of data.
User manual and other materials about how to use AsprovaAPS
Q：How to use AsprovaAPS
A：
*Web Seminar Please see the Web Seminar page.
*AS2003 Introductory Manual This manual is distributed to those who attended the free introductory seminar.
*Hands-on Training Manual This manual is distributed to those who attended the hands-on training seminar.
*Help file in the free trial version Select the Free Trial Version from the homepage and click "Register" to register your name, address, and etc. Sample data and materials about how to write plug-ins are also available here.
Basis for determining the implementation of a production scheduler
Q：What is the basis for determining the implementation of a production scheduler
A：
*Whether the scheduler has already been implemented by many users A production scheduler performs very complicated processing. Also, it is very difficult for a production scheduler to generate work instructions that can be actually used by the manufacturing floor. In that sense, if only a small number of schedulers are implemented and used by users, there may be problems that cannot be known in the consideration process such as bugs and troubles are likely to occur in difficult processing and minor features may not match actual needs of the manufacturing floor. Therefore, we recommend selecting a production scheduler that has already been implemented by many users.
*Whether the scheduler contributes to profit increase A production scheduler is now not merely a tool to reduce human effort when creating production schedules. It is a tool that improves visualization, lead time shortening, inventory reduction, and cost reduction, which are the indexes that greatly affect final profits of companies. Therefore, these should also be considered goals when considering implementing computerized production scheduling.
*Whether entry and maintenance of master data can be easily done When implementing a production scheduler, entry and maintenance of master data requires a lot of work. Therefore, whether the maintenance of master data is easy or not is a very important point. Most of those who work at factories are used to Microsoft Excel operations, and it would be advantageous to utilize this existing skill to smooth the adoption of a scheduler - and of course it would be a great benefit if data that already exists in Excel form can be quickly used in the scheduler. Asprova employs much compatibility with Excel such as copy/pasting, csv loading, and various chart manipulation features. Also, users tend to be attracted by the apparent simplicity of more 'visual' methods for editing data, but you should evaluate whether these are really practical for managing a large amount of data in actual operation.
*Whether the scheduler is rich in standard features Usually, users tend to consider a scheduler based on whether it has necessary features when it is implemented. However, it always happens at factories that items are added, the line configuration is changed, and new machines are added. Therefore, new requirements for features will arise one after another even after implementating the scheduler. At that time, if the scheduler has a small number of standard features from the beginning and you have to depend on customization, it may be flexible but it will be costly. As a result, you may spend much more money on the scheduler than you expected. Therefore, a scheduler with many standard features is preferable even if you don't need all of them right away.
*Whether the processing speed is high Usually for production schedulers, the speed of scheduling one operation will slow if the amount of data (number of operations) increases. In other words, as the amount of data increases, the processing time will increase exponentially. However, if that happens in actual operation where the number of orders will gradually increase and the amount of data will increase due to manufacturing in small lots, it means that the processing will suddenly take a long time and work instructions may not be issued in time, which may result in suspension of using the scheduler. Therefore, it is important for the scheduler to keep the increase of processing time to a linear rate when the amount of data increases. Asprova adopts a high-speed logic that enables maintaining high speed of scheduling one operation even when the number of operations increases.
*Whether sufficient support is available for implementating a production scheduler Another point in evaluating a production scheduler is whether sufficient support is offered not only when selecting the package but also when implementing it. Our distributors have more than 10 years of experience in supporting the implementation of Asprova and some of them have assisted in dozens to hundreds of implementations. You should inquire about support from such reliable partners when you implement a production scheduler.
*Whether sufficient support system is available overseas (if you have manufacturing bases overseas) Companies that have manufacturing bases overseas will probably eventually consider expanding the use of the production scheduler in the overseas factories. At that time, it will be important whether support centers exist in Asian countries such as China and also in Europe and the United States. Our overseas distributors have 3 to 7 years experience in providing support for production scheduling.
Prerequisite for attending the hands-on training seminar
Q：What is the prerequisite for attending the hands-on training seminar
A：
If you cannot attend the Free Introductory Seminar, please see theWeb Seminar page of the website. Also, it will be even better if you have a chance to download the free trial version of Asprova and go through operations before attending the hands-on training seminar.
Preparation for attending the hands-on training seminar
Q：What is the preparation for attending the hands-on training seminar
A：
As a general rule, those who attend the seminar should bring a notebook PC. Please make sure in advance that the OS of the notebook is Windows2000 or WindowsXP and that USB can be used on the PC. One section of the seminar uses Microsoft Access as an example database - it would be beneficial if your PC had this installed. Please note that certain arrangements for the practical training may be different depending on which of our distributors is hosting it.
How to obtain the free trial version of Asprova
Q：How to obtain the free trial version of Asprova
A：
(1) Register as a member from the website. If you are already a member, change your member information. Please make sure to check "Download free trial version of AsprovaAPS" in the Member Registration page.
(2) For those who newly register as a member, a user ID and password will be emailed. We may confirm your identification and purpose of using Asprova by email or phone.
(3) How to download will be emailed.
Difference between the free trial version and RTM (release to manufacture) version
Q：What is the difference between the free trial version and RTM (release to manufacture) version
A：
The free trial version gives possibility to evaluate all the features of Asprova APS. However, the following restrictions apply:
- Scheduling is possible up to 200 orders.
- Scheduling is possible up to 250 operations (number of operations is number of orders X number of processes)
- The number of user specified properties (incl. extended spec and extended num spec) is limited to 10.
If these limits are exceeded, rescheduling cannot be performed. However, when the exceeding data is removed, rescheduling can be performed normally.
*** The restriction number 3, applies only to version 7.1.0 or later
Are options included in the free trial version of AsprovaAPS?
Q：Are options included in the free trial version of AsprovaAPS?
A：
Yes, all options are included.
Is a trial set available for a company to test Asprova using a large amount of data of the company?
Q：Is a trial set available for a company to test Asprova using a large amount of data of the company?
A：
You can use it up to three months for a fee.
Maintenance contract
Q：How about the maintenance contract
A：
You can make inquiries by email or phone and can also receive bug fix versions and updates in which new features are added.
Maintenance contract period
Q：Maintenance contract period
A：
Maintenance are renewable on a yearly basis, starting from the month of purchase of Asprova.
Installing in two or more factories.
Q：Should I buy two licenses if wants to install in two factories (lines)?
A：
Usually, two licenses will be required for implementing Asprova to two factories (sites).
However, Asprova requires one license for each computer. Therefore, if you process production schedules for two factories using one computer, you only need one license. But when you use one computer for creating multiple schedules, you cannot process them all at the same time and you cannot respond to situations such as where you need to change the scheules immediately, which is not desirable. Therefore, we recommend purchasing the license as many as the number of units by which you create a schedule.
If Asprova NLS is installed, you can start the scheduler joule (APS, MS, LS, MRP) from each PC. However, the license of the scheduler module is necessary at each unit of the plan (project).
License for an enterprise group
Q：Do you have the license for an enterprise group
A：
Yes. Please inquire with Asprova distributors.
Response to bugs
Q：Response to bugs
A：
The module will be unconditionally replaced with a bug fixed version up to six months after you purchased Asprova. After that, bug fixed modules will be provided on condition that a maintenance contract exists.
Timing of version up
Q：What is the timing of version up
A：
Based on users' requests for additional features, we are always working on adding new features.
Request for additional features
Q：Request for additional features
A：
Requested features will be added to our list of future development. We carry out development according to the priority determined based on the degree of requiremets by customers, versatility of features, possibility of development, and so on. In cases where a customer want a special feature or want a feature to be realized urgently, we may be able to accept such a request for a separate fee. So please do not hesitate to ask us.
Almost everyday we receive new requests from many users. An accumulation of efforts for realizing those requests will be released as a new version.
Upgrading to a new version
Q：How to upgrad to a new version
A：
If you have a maintenance contract when a new version is released, we will provide you with the new version for free.
Data compatibility in upgrading a version
Q：Data compatibility in upgrading a version
A：
Basically, you don't have to re-enter or change the data after upgrading the version. There may be rare cases where meanings of data items and default values may be changed. In those cases, the changes will be described in release notes.
Asprova distributors
Q：How about the Asprova distributors
A：
For a list of distributors and contacts, please see the Asprova Resellers page of the website.
Types of businesses for which Asprova is suitable and user companies
Q：Types of businesses for which Asprova is suitable and user companies
A：
Names of Asprova users are not disclosed but some of the users are introduced in the Asprova Case Studies page of the website. Also, details of case studies of five companies are described in the book titled "Manufacturing Time Into Money" (published in Japanese by The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Ltd.).
Is it possible for our company to achive results by implementing Asprova?
Q：Is it possible for our company to achive results by implementing Asprova?
A：
However, we don't know at this time what results can your factory achieve, since you may produce different products and use different manufacturing know-how from those of the companies introduced as successful cases. By entering your actual data in Asprova, creating a prototype, and trying scheduling, you can check what results can you expect from implementing Asprova.
You can enter your factory's data in the free trial version of Asprova and try scheduling with small amount of data for free to begin with. By doing this, you can make your factory a "Visualized factory". You can also see the future vision of your factory. If you want to try Asprova more realistically using a large amount of data, please contact us. We will fully support you to realize the results the same as or more than the successful cases.
The book "Manufacturing Time Into Money" is now given for free. To receive the book,click here to enter your name, address, and other information.
I want to see Asprova
Q：How can I see Asprova
A：
To only check behaviours of Asprova over the Internet, please see the Web Seminar page.
Demonstration at a factory
Q：I want a demonstration at the factory
A：
Please contact Asprova distributors.
Support system
Q：How about the support system
A：
Asprova is supported by a network of Asprova Resellers (International) in the United States, Canada, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and the United Kingdom and Asprova Resellers (Inside Japan). Also, Asprova is available in English, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, and Chinese (Simplified, Traditional), German and Thai. Our thorough support system will follow you as you expand your business at home or around the globe.
Support languages
Q：Which languages can you support
A：
Asprova is available in English, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, and Chinese (Simplified, Traditional), German and Thai.
Steps for implementing Asprova
Q：Steps for implementing Asprova
A：
See this FAQ topic for details..
Time period required for implementation
Q：Time period required for implementation
A：
The implementation period differs depending on
*how much the master data is prepared,
*amount of development required for peripheral programs and plug-ins, and
*amount of data to be handled by Asprova.
Consultation for implementation
Q：Consultation for implementation
A：
Some Asprova users only purchased a license of the package, concluded a maintenance contract, carried out the whole implementation process by themselves, and are now achieving brilliant results. To implement Asprova by yourself, you need to satisfy all requirements such as computer knowledge, have production management/planning knowledge and experience, and know-how and the capability to implement a system. We recommend receiving consultation from our distributors when implementing Asprova, because the most important thing in implementing Asprova is "to maximize implementation results." Although you need to pay for the consultation, it will produce much greater results than you paid by receiving the help of consultants who have a lot of experience and know-how in implementing Asprova.
Implementation project members
Q：Implementation project members
A：
The project team typically consists of three or more people, including one project leader, one or more people involved in production planning, and one or more people involved in system administration.
Difficulties of master data settings
Q：What is the difficulties of master data settings
A：
In AsprovaAPS, the parts table and resource capacity table of Asprova Ver9 that should be separately registered are combined as the Integrated Master. Because of this, not only entry but also maintenance of master data can be done much more easily now.
In addition, the following features also make the registration of master data easier.
*Microsoft Excel like display feature, copy and paste feature, auto-fill feature,
*filter, sort, and jump features useful for finding necessary data,
*the object window and properties window that enables simple and functional data checking, and
features for reducing the amount of master data that should be specified . . . use of Process selector valid condition, Valid condition, and other expressions.
Keys to successful implementation
Q：What is the keys to successful implementation
A：
*Set goals halfway between the ideal situation and reality It is important to envision the ideal situation. However, if you use the idealized vision directly as the project goal, in most cases the project won't succeed. The best goals are set halfway between the ideal situation and the current situation. Also, since adding to or changing goals in the middle of a project can become a source of confusion, be sure to set clear goals from the outset and leave them unchanged until the project is done.
*Investigate thoroughly before signing the contract Before officially resolving to deploy Asprova, be sure to create a prototype and test it thoroughly, so as to be as sure as possible that your profit increase project will be a success.
*Plan to spend a significant amount of time and effort on preparing necessary data Preparing the necessary master data is a lot of work. In general, you should expect it to take one month or more with one person working full-time on data preparation. Be sure to make arrangements so that the person in charge of data preparation will be able to set aside a sufficient amount of time for this job.
*Make the shop floor strictly follow the new management method A profit increase project involves re-organizing your way of doing things. You will adopt new ways of issuing work instructions and gathering production results data. While it is common for some people to be tenacious in wanting to continue the old way, unless everyone understands the need for the re-organization and participates in carrying it out, the re-organization will not succeed. For this reason, before starting test operation, hold an orientation session to explain the meaning of the operation procedure and the way to carry it out. It is also important for the company president to make an official statement to employees directing them to fully participate in the change.
Reasons of failure
Q：What are the reasons of failure
A：
*Too high goals If you pursue an ideal too much and try to realize a large-scale and complicated systematization, it will often happen that you cannot start operating the system by the due date. We recommend setting goals halfway between the ideal situation and the current situation. Also, you should try to avoid changing goals in the middle of a project.
*Insufficient investigation We recommend creating a prototype and testing it thoroughly before implementing Asprova so that you can be as sure as possible that your goals are achievable. If the implementation is done based on an agreement only in general and without carefully considering details of the implementation, various requests such as changes of the system may be made from the sections of the shop floor immediately before starting using the system and a serious situation may arise.
*Lack of leadership of the project leader The project team typically consists of three or more people, including one project leader, one or more people involved in production planning, and one or more people involved in system administration. If the project team cannot be formed in this composition and for example, only one person is assigned to the project, it is impossible to run the project. Even if the person in charge prepares an implementation plan, the shop floor may not follow the plan. If a company president or factory manager can take part as a project leader and cooperation can be obtained from everyone concerned, the project will not be difficult to carry out.
When renewing an ERP system, is it better to implement Asprova before or after the renewal?
Q：When renewing an ERP system, is it better to implement Asprova before or after the renewal?
A：
A benefit of renewing the ERP/production management system first is that you can avoid developing interfaces between Asprova and the ERP/production management system twice. A benefit of implementing Asprova first is that you don't have to implement the ERP/production management system that may not be needed when Asprova is implemented. Generally, implementing a system and changing ways of operating the system require a lot more work than developing interfaces. Therefore, in many cases, it will be more efficient to implement Asprova first and then consider rational renewal of the ERP/production management system having Asprova a core system. As a result of implementing Asprova, you could possibly expect the following functions to be transferred from the ERP/production management system to Asprova:
*Master data (item table, resources) maintenance
*Requirement calculation for raw materials
*Requirement planning for resources
*Staff planning/overtime forecast
*Automatic generation of manufacturing orders
*Automatic generation of purchase orders
*Pegging between inventory and sales/manufacturing orders
*Detailed finite-capacity schedule creation
*Short/long term load calculation
*Work instruction issuing
If we implement a results gathering system, is it better to implement Asprova before or after this?
Q：If we implement a results gathering system, is it better to implement Asprova before or after this?
A：
Therefore, in cases where no system exists for gathering results data or accuracy of the data is low because the data is hand-written, we recommend implementing a results gathering system or upgrading the system at the same time as implementing Asprova.
You may also implement the results gathering system first and then consider the implementation of Asprova, but if you don't have a high-precision scheduling system, you cannot benefit much from the gathered results. If the reason for inputting results data is not clear, the person in charge tends to forget to input the data or input wrong data. Ideally, it is preferable to carry out the implementation process for both systems in parallel and start operating the results data gathering system about two weeks before starting the test operation of Asprova. In this way, using the results data gathered in the two weeks, you can efficiently prepare master data and detect errors in collected results data by making Asprova re-calculate machine capacity values and creating a new schedule based on the recalculated capacity values.
Recommended means of distributing work instructions
Q：Recommended means of distributing work instructions
A：
It depends on the situation of each company which way is more suitable. However, usually you can respond to frequent changes in schedules more easily by displaying the instructions on screen. Therefore, issuing work instructions on screen has more benefits in terms of scalability. To display work instructions on screen, you need to place the PC close to machines, machine groups, and work stations for which work instructions are issued.
As software for displaying work instructions, you can use either the MES version of Asprova, a shop floor terminal developed by affiliate companies of Asprova Corporation, or a custom tool developed using Microsoft Excel, etc. If it is difficult to place multiple PCs on the shop floor, you can print work instructions together, for example once a day, and distribute to the people in charge.
Recommended means of gathering results data
Q：Recommended means of gathering results data
A：
1. Gathering results data as soon as possible If results data can be gathered as soon as possible, operation start times and operation end times will be known automatically. (Times at which results data was actually entered can be used as operation start/end times.) On the other hand, if results data is input later, there will be more possibility that wrong operation start/end times are entered and accuracy of results data will be significantly lowered.
2. Minimizing the work of entering results data If entering results data takes a lot of work, not only is the time of many workers wasted everyday but also input errors may often occur. Also, it may become a reason cited by workers when their cooperations cannot be fully obtained for new ways of system operations.
According to the above criteria, we recommend using the following ways of gathering results data: 1. If PCs are placed in each office for displaying work instructions, install a bar code reader in the PCs and input results data from the PCs when necessary. 2. If PCs are placed far from the shop floor, input results data using a handy terminal.
In the both cases, scan the following items by bar codes: 1. Operation code (Order code + process code・・2. Machine code 3. Worker code 4. Status (Started/Suspended/Resumed/Completed/Setup started, etc.・・
You can use the current time as the result time. Therefore, basically manual input is required only for result quantities. Note that depending on the machine, it is possible to obtain results data automatically from the machine.
Should work instructions be issued for all processes?
Q：Should work instructions be issued for all processes?
A：
1. Appropriate item and quantity to produce 2. Appropriate input time 3. Appropriate processing sequence 4. Assignment of appropriate resource (machine/worker)
In the above context, work instructions are considered to be required for the following processes: 1. First process (Appropriate item, quantity, input time, processing sequence, etc.) 2. Merging process (Appropriate item, quantity, input time, processing sequence, etc.) 3. Process in which the processing sequence is not FIFO (Processing sequence, etc.) 4. Process for which multiple candidate resources exist or previous process of that process (Assignment of appropriate resource, etc.) 5. Process in which a single worker operates multiple machines and the worker cannot monitor the status of all the machines (Processing sequence, resource assignment, etc.)
In most cases, it will be no problem in sufficiently operating Asprova if work instructions are not issued for processes in which routine operations are merely performed FIFO.
Should results data be gathered from all processes?
Q：Should results data be gathered from all processes?
A：
Given that work instructions are not always issued for all processes as stated in the previous Q and A, results data does not always need to be gathered from all processes. Now, should results data be gathered from all processes for which work instructions were issued? Basically, yes. However, if you really want to reduce points from which to gather results data, you can do so if absence of results data will have little impact on rescheduling. For example, you can omit results data for a non-bottleneck process after a bottleneck process because the process can be merely performed and passed to the next process by the shop floor. If you omit results data for this type of situation, you can use Asprova's "Result recursive flag" or "Results entry flag" so that Asprova will process omitted results as if the results is entered automatically. (For details of those features, please refer to the AsprovaAPS help file.)
How to check results from implementing Asprova
Q：How to check results from implementing Asprova
A：
For later evaluation, it may be useful to keep detailed data for each item. After obtaining necessary data, set numerical targets for production lead times, inventory quantities (in money), due date achievement rate, etc. When Asprova operation is started, compare those targets with the numbers displayed by Asprova.
How can Asprova contribute to profit increase of a company when demand increases?
Q：How can Asprova contribute to profit increase of a company when demand increases?
A：
When demand increases, a company usually needs to hire more people, increase the number of machines, or increases outsourcing. However, instead of spending those costs, you should consider first about increasing the production gained from existing workers and machines. In other words, you should aim to increase throughput per certain period of time.
Asprova helps users to increase throughput using features such as "bottleneck-centered scheduling", "assignment of external setups", and "optimization logic". In one of the case examples of users supported by President Takahashi of Asprova Corporation, a semiconductor manufacturer found they could make redundant one semiconductor manufacturing machine that costs more than a hundred million yen. Also, another semiconductor manufacturer could reduce 12 workers and achieve annual results corresponding to 40 million yen for the first year of implementing Asprova.
How can Asprova contribute to profit increase of a company when demand decreases?
Q：How can Asprova contribute to profit increase of a company when demand decreases?
A：
When you purchase Asprova, we will send you this dongle. By attaching this dongle to Asprova, you can remove the data size limitation of the free trial version and use Asprova as an official module.
What should I do if the dongle is broken?
Q：What should I do if the dongle is broken?
A：
Please inquire with Asprova distributors. Please contact the sales special agent. If the maintenance agreement has been executed, we will exchange it for free. If the maintenance agreement has not been executed, it becomes for a fee.
We exchange it after the protector that gets broken is returned. So, it will take a few days for exchanging. If the obstacle is caused on business, we will send the protector with the time limit. In that case, after returning the broken protector, we will issue the magic number that enables use as a formal version.
Is a dongle replaced for free or for a fee?
Q：Is a dongle replaced for free or for a fee?
A：
The dongle will be replaced for a fee or for free depending on the situation.
What are the steps for asking you to replace a dongle?
Q：What are the steps for asking you to replace a dongle?
A：
\The dongle will be replaced for a fee or for free depending on the situation. The dongle will be replaced after the broken dongle is received. Also, if absence of the dongle will cause problems in your business operations, we can send you a dongle that is usable for a limited period. When the broken dongle is received, we will issue a 'magic number' that enables using Asprova as an official version without limitation.
How many days does it take to change a dongle?
Q：How many days does it take to change a dongle?
A：
Usually, one or two working days.
If a dongle is lost, would you reissue a dongle?
Q：If a dongle is lost, would you reissue a dongle?
A：
No. We can not reissue a dongle.
Is there anything that can be done if a dongle gets broken on weekend or at night?
Q：Is there anything that can be done if a dongle gets broken on weekend or at night?
A：
We off a spare dongle if the maintenance agreement has been executed. Use the spare dongle to start Asprova.It can be used for three weeks. And please exchange the dongle between the time.
Can I have a spare dongle?
Q：Can I have a spare dongle?
A：
A separate fee will be required for a spare dongle.
Does Asprova run as a client server?
Q：Does Asprova run as a client server?
A：
Use the Asrpova NLS, can start Asprova by logging it in from each PC on the network.
Use the Asrpova DS, operat each module of Asprova from two or more PC on the network, and the data can be integrated.
However, changing the schedule like moving the schedule or work, can be operated only by one PC at a time.
Installment payment
Q：Installment payment
A：
It is not possible to do.
However, the lease and the monthly sum rental contract can be used. Please inquire with Asprova distributors.
Monthly payment contract
Q：Monthly payment contract
A：
Please inquire with Asprova distributors.
Sales performance
Q：Sales performance
A：
Within Japan, the share in the domestic market is over 50%.
Tours of Asprova user factories, user meetings
Q：Tours of Asprova user factories, user meetings
A：
However, please check out our case studies for opinions and reviews from various Asprova users.
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