Nur das Einfache hat Erfolg: Erst der Rückbau der IT und einfachste Gestaltung der Prozesse ermöglicht das betriebliche Optimum

Traditional understanding of production planning and schedul-ing in concordance with IT support has led to an increasing complexity and instability of production schedules. Since their advent, ERP-systems problem solving approaches have basi-cally remained the same: Intricate planning and meticulous detailing have resulted in sprawling complexity and massive IT employment. Yet, another approach is possible: Simple process design, cour-age to accept fuzziness in detail and rigorous process orienta-tion will lead to a production system without the need for de-tailed, pseudo-accurate schedules calculated by ERP-systems. The design of manufacturing and materials logistics is, there-fore, revived as a matter of brainwork. This simple environ-ment is crucial in achieving minimum lead-times and invento-ries which is accomplished with less administrative effort. By using this concept of production planning and control at a production plant for welding elements as an example, this arti-cle emphasizes how a factory can cope with every day business without using complex and detailed ERP-planning.