At a time when production processes are becoming increasingly complex and dynamic, efficient and precise production and logistics planning is a decisive factor for a company's success. Digital planning allows production facilities and logistics concepts to be operated more flexibly and efficiently and planning costs to be reduced by around 20 percent.
Digital production planning and logistics planning enable immediate data analysis, adaptive decision-making and proactive optimization of production processes. Errors and shortcomings are identified and rectified at an early stage before they multiply costs in later phases - true to the "Rule of Ten".
What does this mean in concrete terms for your company? How can you also establish future-proof production?
Feasibility analysis: The digital maturity level and initial optimization potential
Getting started with digital planning begins with a feasibility analysis. This involves companies assessing the digital maturity level of their production and logistics, identifying optimization potential and its benefits. This analysis provides clarity about the next steps and shows which investments offer the greatest added value. Digital tools are already used in this phase to create an initial database. 
From concept to detailed planning
Concept and detailed planning form the backbone of all efficient factory planning. In concept planning, initial layouts are designed and the material flow and logistics are analyzed, planned and optimized. All structures, processes and dependencies are considered as a whole. Advanced software applications already identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies at this stage.
In detailed planning, the layouts from concept planning are checked and planned in more detail, and the data is enriched step by step. The analyses help to identify unnecessary time losses and optimize the sequence of tasks and workplace design. Simulations and process time analyses ensure that all processes are perfectly coordinated. 
Cooperation between man and machine
One important aspect of digital planning is human-machine cooperation. Today, robots are increasingly taking on repetitive or physically demanding tasks and thus relieving the strain on employees. Digital planning tools simulate and optimize the interaction between humans and robots so that both sides - humans and robots - can make the best possible use of their strengths.
Photorealistic visualization thanks to VR technologies
Modern VR technologies visualize planning concepts for production and logistics in photorealistic quality. The planning teams can move virtually in production environments, evaluate interim planning statuses and make decisions more efficiently. For example, it is possible to quickly and precisely determine whether a worker has to walk too long, whether the assembly points are easily accessible or whether they are underutilized. VR technologies are also used for training courses to train employees in machine operation and maintenance or to prepare them for emergencies.
Key advantages of digital production and logistics planning at a glance
Digital planning offers decisive advantages for companies that want to optimize their factory processes:
- Time savings: Automated processes and immediate data availability shorten planning time
- Cost efficiency: Optimized processes and precise planning ensure better use of resources and therefore lower costs
- Increased accuracy: Automated data processing and advanced analysis tools reduce human error and increase the accuracy of planning and forecasting
- Transparency and traceability: decisions are documented and can be reviewed at any time
- Flexibility: Digital planning enables faster adaptation to changing requirements
YOUR SUCCESSFUL PATH TO DIGITAL PLANNING STARTS NOW
Are you also facing the challenge of making your production and logistics processes more efficient and reducing costs at the same time? Then contact our experts Philipp Hummel, Senior Manufacturing Engineer and Theresa Sinn, Project Leader for more details. Or download our white paper “Digital production and logistics planning as the key to future-proof production”. Our white paper also provides information on software tools that not only help to optimize factory processes today, but also to keep them flexible and scalable in the future - so that you can meet dynamic market requirements in the long term and ensure your competitiveness.
