Integrations / ERP / PSIpenta
Does PSIpenta Have Finite Capacity Scheduling? PSIpenta Planning Modules and SkyPlanner APS
Yes, PSIpenta has finite capacity scheduling, in separate modules. The Production module of PSIpenta/ERP plans bottleneck material and capacity. The Leitstand module plans resources against limited or unlimited capacity with a frozen zone. PSIpenta/MES Scheduling sequences each workplace against finite capacity. Plants that want every machine, person, tool and material in one schedule that keeps itself current run SkyPlanner APS beside PSIpenta/ERP.
This article covers PSIpenta/ERP 10 from PSI Software SE and the module pages PSI publishes today. PSIpenta is modular, so what your plant can do depends on the modules you have licensed.
How PSIpenta plans capacity, step by step
1. Master data
Planning starts from parts, BOMs (Stücklisten) and routings (Arbeitspläne) with their operations (Arbeitsgänge). Each operation runs on a work center (Arbeitsplatz) or machine. Tools and fixtures are managed as Betriebsmittel in their own module.
2. Material requirements planning
Materialdisposition runs a continuous coverage calculation. It creates purchase proposals and production orders (Fertigungsaufträge) from demand. This step answers what to make and buy, and by when.
3. Rough-cut and detailed planning in the Production module
The Production module offers two levels (PSI Produktion):
- Rough-cut planning places bottleneck material and capacity in a targeted way.
- Detailed planning plans BOMs and routings over several levels, with optimization.
This gives dates for orders and a view of the bottlenecks. It is the base layer every PSIpenta plant has.
4. The Leitstand module
PSIpenta/Advanced Scheduling & Monitoring is PSI’s planning board. PSI says it can be coupled to any ERP system. It adds a frozen zone you define, planning against limited capacity and simulation, which AI methods can extend. Resources plan against limited or unlimited capacity (PSI Leitstand).
5. Adaptive Planung
The APS module uses controller components to react to disruptions on all planning levels. Delays it cannot resolve are marked as critical paths and can then be worked on (PSI Adaptive Planung).
6. PSIpenta/MES Scheduling
In the MES line, Scheduling plans the sequence per workplace against finite capacity, with multi-resource support and automatic planning and updates. It integrates into PSIpenta/MES through standardized messages and takes its input from PSIpenta/ERP or another ERP (PSI MES Scheduling).
7. Shop-floor data
Betriebsdatenerfassung (BDE) takes over order data and confirmations (Rückmeldungen) automatically, fully integrated with the ERP. Confirmations tell planning what is done.
What stays with the planner
- Choosing the layer. PSIpenta is licensed per module. PSI says you buy only the functions you need (PSI). Finite sequencing needs the Leitstand, Adaptive Planung or the MES line on top of the Production module.
- Rough-cut is about bottlenecks. The Production module places bottleneck capacity. It does not sequence every operation on every machine by clock time.
- Limited or unlimited is a setting. The Leitstand plans each resource against limited or unlimited capacity, so someone decides and maintains which resources are finite.
- Unresolved delays come back. In Adaptive Planung, delays the module cannot resolve are marked as critical paths for the planner to work on.
- MES Scheduling lives in the MES line. It integrates into PSIpenta/MES, so a plant without PSIpenta/MES adds that product line first.
- Several modules, several projects. Each layer has its own setup, data and owner.
When PSIpenta’s native scheduling is enough
PSIpenta’s own planning does the job when:
- Rough-cut planning of bottlenecks gives delivery dates your customers accept.
- You already run the Leitstand or MES Scheduling, and a planner maintains it.
- Changeovers are short or do not depend on the product that ran before.
- Operators and shared tools rarely decide the order of work.
- The plan changes a few times a month, not several times a day.
If that fits, keep routings, calendars and BDE confirmations accurate and use the modules you have.
When you need a finite capacity scheduler
You have outgrown the current setup when several of these are true:
- The planner resequences orders by hand after every rush order or breakdown.
- Delivery dates slip although bottleneck planning looks fine.
- Changeover time depends on which product ran before.
- Operators, shifts and absences limit output as much as machines do.
- Fixtures or tools move between machines.
- Late material decides which operation can start.
- You want a finite schedule without adding another PSI module project.
What to look for
- Every resource finite at once: machines, people and tools, on real clock times.
- Operation-level sequencing by priorities and due dates.
- 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 PSIpenta data path. PSI publishes a REST and SOAP API for PSIpenta/ERP and PSIpenta/BDE and the PSIintegration layer. Ask every vendor how planned dates reach your production orders and who supports it after go-live.
The options fall into four groups:
- PSIpenta core planning in the Production module: rough-cut and detailed planning inside the ERP.
- PSI planning modules (Leitstand, Adaptive Planung, MES Scheduling, PSIasm/Qualicision): separately licensed PSI products.
- DACH APS and Leitstand vendors connected through an implementation project and run by a planning team.
- Cloud APS with shop-floor execution, where SkyPlanner sits: every resource scheduled automatically beside PSIpenta, with the plan in operators’ hands.
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, for example blue to red 30 minutes and red to blue 60. 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 operation 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.
Choose SkyPlanner over the PSIpenta Leitstand and MES Scheduling when:
- You need a live schedule in weeks. PSIpenta modules are licensed one by one, and MES Scheduling belongs to the PSIpenta/MES line (PSI). SkyPlanner is cloud software you test on your own production orders in the trial and run live within weeks after onboarding starts.
- The plan must keep itself current. Adaptive Planung hands delays it cannot resolve to the planner as critical paths (PSI). Autopilot reschedules automatically when production changes.
- 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.
- 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 PSIpenta production orders in the 30-day free trial (up to 20 workstations, all Basic features, 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 PSIpenta in both directions through the PSIpenta/ERP REST API, PSIintegration and the PSIpenta/BDE API. The SkyPlanner team configures it during onboarding, and your partner or developers can work on the documented REST API. See the SkyPlanner for PSIpenta page, the PSIpenta 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.
99.2%delivery reliability
“SkyPlanner has brought visibility to identifying bottlenecks and clarified production management.”
Toni Tuori, Production Manager
Piristeel · Roof safety and rainwater systems
Delivery reliability reached 99.2% this year, and scheduling saves up to four hours of working time per day.
6 monthsof free capacity visible to sales
“SkyPlanner creates the foundation and reliability for all production planning.”
Anu Järvinen, Production Manager
Fredman Operations · Food-safe packaging papers
Sales sees free capacity six months ahead, and schedule-change requests that took an hour or more are answered in seconds.
FAQ
Is PSIpenta production planning finite or infinite?
Both, depending on the module. The Production module plans bottleneck material and capacity. The Leitstand plans each resource against limited or unlimited capacity, and PSIpenta/MES Scheduling plans against finite capacity per workplace.
Which PSIpenta module does detailed scheduling?
The Leitstand module (PSIpenta/Advanced Scheduling & Monitoring), the Adaptive Planung APS module and, in the MES line, PSIpenta/MES Scheduling. Each is a separate module in PSI’s modular product.
Should we use the PSIpenta Leitstand or SkyPlanner?
SkyPlanner, when you want one finite schedule live in weeks that keeps itself current. The PSI modules are licensed and implemented one by one. SkyPlanner reschedules automatically when production changes, plans changeovers, tools, crews and material together, and has unlimited users, from 199 € per month.
Does SkyPlanner replace PSIpenta?
No. PSIpenta keeps parts, BOMs, routings, material requirements planning, purchasing and finance. SkyPlanner sequences the operations of your production orders and sends planned dates back.
Can we try finite scheduling on our PSIpenta data first?
Yes. Import an Excel export of open production orders, work centers and routings into the 30-day free trial and compare the schedule with your current plan.
