Operation auto-update of the release fence

A release fence can be set to specify a frozen zone in the planning horizon in which the planning algorithm cannot propose any new manufacturing orders, purchase order or distribution order. The fence represent a period during which the plan is already being executed and can no longer be changed.

The fence can be set differently on each operation.

Optionally, this concept is further extended with an automatically computed release fence that is based on confirmed supply.

Imagine a situation where the lead time is 7 days, and we have a confirmed purchase order coming in on day 10. Do you want that frePPLe can propose a new purchase order earlier than day 10? Probably not, and you’ll prefer to await the existing purchase order (eventually calling the supplier to expedite the delivery).

Imagine the same situation but the confirmed purchase order is coming in after 40 days. Do you want that frePPLe can propose a new purchase order earlier than day 40? Probably yes.

With the parameter plan.autoFenceOperations you can control how long you are prepared to wait for existing/confirmed supply before proposing a new supply order. The default value is 0, which basically means we don’t wait at all for the confirmed supply.

Example

Excel spreadsheet operation-autofence

This example shows two products. Each of these products can be manufactured in house, or we can outsource the production to a subcontractor. We have confirmed purchases orders with the subcontractor going as far out as the 30 days.

For one of the products, frePPLe chooses to wait for the incoming shipment from our subcontractor (and that means delivering our sales order late).

For the other product the supply arrives much later, and frePPLe propose to launch a new in-house manufacturing order.