Insights into Planning Parameters are presented as a user friendly output of Machine Learning. The focus is on learning from “Actuals” and recommending changes to Parameters which then improve plan results:

• Key Planning Parameters are set by users utilising Hyper Parameterisation
• Alternate Parameter settings are suggested from past plans to improve the results of the plan
• Users are presented simply with alternate Parameter settings as an “Insight” viewed next to the existing setting
• The user can calculate a new plan based on the new settings as a scenario to understand the new plan results before deciding whether or not to adopt the new settings

Planning Algorithms may produce a plan that does not fit with a user’s expectations of what it should look like. This does not mean that the plan is wrong, it could be that the user does not fully understand the logic and decision making that has been applied by the algorithm. Typical questions asked by the user are:

• Why is this order being planned late?
• Why this quantity?
• Why is this resource selected rather than that one?

The Algorithm Logic Explorer allows a user to select any Planned Order and receive some simple, easy to understand information on why it has been planned and where it is planned:

• Key Planning Rules Used
• Requirement v Planned
• Reason for Differences
• Preferred v Selected Resources

Users adopting a planning system want, need and demand high performance in areas such as:

The resolution of exceptions is a key activity for Planners. Within the sofco suite the following key steps are involved:

• Identification of Exceptions via Dashboard
• Navigate to the detail Product/Resource/Customer detail as relevant
• Use the Exceptions Explorer where multi-level BOM’s and Resources are involved
• Review system “Exception Diagnosis
• Make adjustments and recalculate or accept as required
• Mark as dealt with
• Next exception
• Review overall results

Reporting & Analysis

There are a number of options available when using the sofco suite:

Workflow

Supporting Users in their day to day activities by automating key alerts, actions, and communications in a systemised workflow based on triggers and actions::

• Approval processes
• Exception Notifications
• Collaborative Planning
• Plan Publication
• Escalation and Delegation
• Workflow progress for process owners
• Integrated in sofco Application and Office 365

The sofco UI is multi browser based, all major browsers are supported including:

• Microsoft Edge
• Google Chrome
• Firefox
• Safari
• Microsoft Internet Explorer

The sofco suite can be accessed by a range of multiple devices giving flexibility for users depending on their role or physical location:

• Desktop
• Laptop
• Tablet – Apple & Android
• Phone - Apple & Android

The sofco suite is built on the latest technologies achieving outstanding performance which is vital for users who demand ever faster: screen opening, data calculation & update, and algorithm run times:

• Data retrieval/committing
• Screen refresh
• Algorithm Run Time