Integrations / ERP / KARAT
Does KARAT Have Finite Capacity Scheduling? APS KARAT vs SkyPlanner APS
Yes, partly. APS KARAT is an optional component of IS KARAT that plans into limited or unlimited resource capacity in a Gantt diagram. It works on data exported from real production data: planners build plan variants in a separate module and save the best plan back, while production keeps running by the original plan. Plants that need every machine, person, tool and material scheduled finitely on live data, and replanned automatically, run SkyPlanner APS beside KARAT.
This article covers IS KARAT from KARAT Software, on-premise or as SaaS. KARAT publishes its planning concepts on its product pages and articles rather than in a public help portal, so the steps below follow those sources. For the general idea behind the term, see finite capacity scheduling.
How KARAT plans capacity, step by step
1. Master data
Production in KARAT starts from item cards (karty), BOMs (kusovníky) and technological routings (technologické postupy). Routings run on resources (zdroje): machines, workplaces and human resources. KARAT supports made-to-order, make-to-stock, batch and process production (KARAT for manufacturing).
2. Production jobs and orders
Customer demand becomes production jobs (výrobní zakázky) and production orders (výrobní příkazy) with their operations and job tickets. MRP and MRP II work alongside APS in the production solution.
3. APS KARAT: methods
APS KARAT combines forward and backward planning to find the best start of production and the order date (APS KARAT). The planning methods are:
- Capacity planning: forward, backward or combined
- Planning by lead time: forward, backward or combined
- Weighted planning, for example for human resources such as technologists and designers
- Bottleneck planning
- Everyday operative planning
4. Limited and unlimited capacity
APS KARAT plans into limited and unlimited resource capacities. Within the planned interval, the Gantt diagram allows simulation steps such as swapping resources and moving reservations. Several working plans can exist without affecting resource reservations.
5. Planning on exported data
KARAT describes advanced planning as work on data exported from real production data. In a separate module, planners build plan variants with different assumptions. The optimal plan, which can be updated with the actual state of production while it is built, is then saved back into real production data. Meanwhile the system works by the original plan (KARAT on APS and SCM).
6. Material and the master plan
Planning takes in machine capacity, workforce, purchased and own inputs, and issued purchase orders not yet delivered. A master plan can span several plants. After the partial plans or the master plan are closed, the result flows into machine capacities and into material issue and receipt requests.
7. The Gantt and manual planning
The Gantt shows plans by project, by resource or in a bottleneck mode, with item availability and substitutes for unavailable inputs. KARAT notes that the Gantt is not only for automatic planning: manual planning tools let the user change the plan as they see fit.
8. Terminal reporting
On the shop floor, terminal reporting (terminálové odvádění) records the start, interruption and end of work, handover of operations, material issue to production and receipt of finished goods, with actual start and stop times (terminal reporting).
What stays with the planner
- Variants are planner work. Planners build and compare plan variants and decide which one to save back.
- Production runs on the original plan meanwhile. A new plan affects the floor only after it is saved back.
- Results land on closing. Machine capacities and material requests update after partial plans or the master plan are closed.
- Unlimited capacity is an option. APS KARAT plans into limited or unlimited resource capacity, so finite results depend on how each resource is set.
- Disruptions mean replanning. After a breakdown or a rush order, the planner simulates, swaps resources or moves reservations in the Gantt. KARAT’s own foundry case study describes automating that operative rescheduling as a separate research project with AI partners (KARAT case study).
When KARAT’s native planning is enough
APS KARAT does the job when:
- Planners have time to build and compare plan variants and save them back on a regular rhythm.
- Bottleneck or lead-time planning is accurate enough for your delivery promises.
- The plan changes rarely between planning cycles.
- Changeovers are short or do not depend on the product that ran before.
- Operators, shared tools and material arrival do not decide the order of work.
If that fits, keep routings and resource capacities complete and close plans promptly so capacities and material requests stay current.
When you need a finite capacity scheduler
You have outgrown native planning when several of these are true:
- The floor works by an old plan while the new variant is still being built.
- The planner replans by hand after every rush order or breakdown.
- Changeover time depends on which product ran before.
- Operators, shifts and absences limit output as much as machines do.
- Dies, molds or fixtures move between machines.
- Late material decides which order can start.
- Operators work from printed job tickets instead of a live queue.
What to look for
- Every resource finite at once: machines, people and tools, on live data.
- Operation-level sequencing by priorities and due dates, as described in our job shop scheduling guide.
- A setting time matrix with sequence-dependent, asymmetric changeover times.
- Tools as finite shared resources and multi-operator jobs.
- Material-aware scheduling that checks stock and incoming purchase orders.
- Automatic rescheduling when production progress or orders change.
- A clean KARAT data path. Ask every vendor how orders leave KARAT, how dates and logged work return, and who supports the interface after go-live.
The options fall into four groups:
- APS KARAT plans inside IS KARAT as an optional component.
- MES suites with a planning module schedule the shop floor in daily or weekly plans next to their data collection.
- Enterprise APS suites are connected through an implementation project and run by a planning team.
- Cloud APS with shop-floor execution, where SkyPlanner sits, schedules every resource automatically beside KARAT and puts the plan in operators’ hands.
For the wider category, see advanced planning and scheduling.
Where SkyPlanner fits
SkyPlanner APS closes each gap listed above. Every workstation, person and tool is finite. The Arcturus AI engine builds an operation-level schedule in seconds, sequenced by job priority, completion date, customer priority, Fast Track and Dynamic Priorities.
Its setting time matrix holds the changeover time between each pair of products in both directions, and the engine picks the order with the least setup. Tools are finite shared resources, several people can work the same job at once, and work moves to alternative machines or personnel when the primary one is unavailable.
Material-driven scheduling simulates future inventory from stock and incoming purchase orders, so an order is planned when its material is there. Autopilot reschedules automatically when production changes, and Running Time Lock freezes the next hours of work so the floor is not disrupted. Operators log work on phone or tablet with Mobile Confirmations, Production Timer and Quick Log Mode, in Czech if they prefer.
Choose SkyPlanner over APS KARAT when:
- The plan must stay live. APS KARAT plans on exported data while the system works by the original plan (KARAT). SkyPlanner plans on current orders and logged progress, and Autopilot replans automatically on every meaningful change.
- Dates must be real. SkyPlanner keeps every resource finite and shows the true finish date.
- Changeovers, tools, crews and material decide the sequence. The setting time matrix, finite tools, multi-operator jobs, alternative workstations and purchase-order arrivals sit in one schedule.
- You need a live schedule in weeks. SkyPlanner is cloud software you test on your own orders in the trial and run live within weeks after onboarding starts.
- Every operator should see the plan. SkyPlanner users are unlimited, and Mobile Confirmations put the queue on every phone or tablet.
Start with an Excel export of open KARAT production orders in the 30-day free trial (up to 20 workstations, no credit card). After that, pricing is from 199 € per month with 5 workstations included, billed monthly. The integration is quoted up front for your process and needs, together with your plan.
SkyPlanner integrates with KARAT in both directions through an agreed KARAT data interface and terminal reporting. The SkyPlanner team configures it during onboarding, and your partner or developers can work on the documented REST API. See the SkyPlanner for KARAT page, the KARAT integration guide or all ERP integrations.
SkyPlanner reviews from manufacturers
2 hsaved every week
“SkyPlanner has taken our production planning from Excel spreadsheets to real-time production optimization.”
Kalle Kalliomäki, Supply Chain Specialist
UTU · Electrical switchboards and switchgear
Production planning saves 2 hours of working time every week, and a new work queue reaches the line in seconds.
+90%production efficiency
“Efficiency has gone up 90% in production.”
Abdul Rucyinga, Head of IT
Laboratory & Allied · Pharmaceutical manufacturing
Production efficiency is up 90%, and a three-month optimized plan across all workstations takes under 30 minutes.
98%delivery reliability, up from about 50%
“SkyPlanner plays a decisive role in maintaining our delivery reliability.”
Hannu Lahtinen, Managing Director
KJH-Comp · Sheet-metal mechanics and contract manufacturing
Delivery reliability rose from around 50% to as high as 98%, and scheduling now needs one supervisor instead of two.
100%delivery reliability since 2021
“SkyPlanner gives us visibility into capacity and makes planning predictable.”
Dan Berglund, COO/CFO
Opes Corporation · Chemical and food manufacturing
Delivery reliability has been 100% for the entire time SkyPlanner has been in use, since 2021.
FAQ
Does KARAT have a scheduling tool?
Yes. APS KARAT is an optional component of IS KARAT with capacity, lead-time, weighted and bottleneck planning in a Gantt diagram. Planners build plan variants on exported production data and save the best one back. SkyPlanner APS adds a finite schedule on live data that replans automatically.
Is APS KARAT finite or infinite capacity?
Both. KARAT says APS KARAT plans into limited and unlimited resource capacities. SkyPlanner keeps every resource finite.
Does APS KARAT work on live production data?
It works on data exported from real production data, and the chosen plan is saved back. While planners work, the system runs by the original plan. SkyPlanner schedules on current orders and logged progress.
Does KARAT schedule operators and tools?
APS KARAT has weighted planning for human resources such as technologists and designers. SkyPlanner schedules named operators with their shifts, staffs jobs that need several people, and books tools as finite shared resources.
Can I test SkyPlanner before integrating it with KARAT?
Yes. Export open production orders, routings and machines from KARAT as Excel or CSV during the 30-day trial and compare the schedule with your current plan. See pricing, start the trial or talk to sales.
