Introduction
As work is completed out on the shop floor, progress on Activities can be updated manually or automatically depending on the company’s preference regarding where Job progress should be reported. Typically it is recorded in the ERP and then brought into APS via refresh, but can also be done manually in the case that APS is serving as a standalone product, or if the manufacturing capabilities of the ERP are weak.
There are three ways that Activity Status can be updated in APS, discussed below:
Operation Header
The first way that Activity Status can be updated in APS is through the Operation Header of the Activity in question. Remember that every Operation has exactly one Activity unless the Operation is split, so the Operation Header can be opened simply by double-clicking on the Activity block displayed on the Gantt.
Moving into the “Status” tab of the Operation Header will allow us to begin updating the Activity Status. Here you will notice that there are several options that are not accessible in the following methods of updating Activity Status. This is the most in depth method of updating Activity Status. Here we can change the Production Status and report quantities, either Good or Scrap, along with the Reported Setup Hours, Run Hours, and Post-Processing Hours. Reporting these quantities and hours also benefit the Performance Tracking functions in APS and are helpful in being able to, over time, come to more accurate time standards. Below is an image of the Activity Status inside the Operation header.
Activity Status Dialog
APS is intended to allow users to interact with the data in whatever format or configuration that is comfortable for them. Where the Operation Header might be more comfortable for users who are accustomed to working with spreadsheets and tables, the Gantt may be preferred for ease of use. Instead of double-clicking on an Operation, the Activity Status dialog can be opened by right-clicking the Activity and selecting “Activity Status” From here, the vast majority of the same options are available, except for the option to enable Time Based Reporting. Click here for more information about the Activity Status dialog.
Activity Scheduling Grid
Similar to the Activity Status Dialog, the Activity Scheduling Grid can be accessed through the Gantt Chart, this time by right-clicking on the Resource that is assigned to perform that Activity. Unlike the previous two methods, the Activity Scheduling Grid displays shows all the Activities scheduled to that Resource for the duration of the Planning Horizon. However, only the first scheduled Activity can be updated and must be marked as Finished before the next Activity can be updated.
