Question 1

How is AI changing manufacturing scheduling?

Accepted Answer

AI is changing manufacturing scheduling primarily as a decision-support tool, not as a replacement for human planners. Production schedules require predictable, auditable outcomes, and probabilistic AI models cannot reliably guarantee that a given order will ship on time. What AI does well today: surface constraint conflicts before they become firefights, run scenario simulations faster than human planners alone, accelerate planner workflows with natural-language queries against the schedule, and detect anomalies in master data. What AI does not yet do reliably: generate production schedules autonomously.

Question 2

What is the difference between APS and MES?

Accepted Answer

APS stands for Advanced Planning and Scheduling — software that generates the production plan by sequencing orders, balancing capacity, and producing the schedule that defines what to make and when. MES stands for Manufacturing Execution System — software that runs the plan on the shop floor, captures real-time production data, manages work instructions, and tracks performance against the schedule. APS plans the work; MES executes and reports it. The two systems must integrate tightly for the schedule to hold during execution.

Question 3

What is schedule stability?

Accepted Answer

Schedule stability is the degree to which a published production schedule remains intact between release and execution. Unstable schedules force constant rework — order resequencing, expediting, last-minute substitutions — that consumes planner time and erodes shop floor trust. Stable schedules hold long enough for the floor to execute against them. Schedule stability is increasingly tracked as a leading indicator of overall operational performance.

Question 4

Why aren't ERP systems enough for production scheduling?

Accepted Answer

ERP systems were built to manage transactions — orders, inventory, costs — not the granular execution decisions that determine whether a schedule holds. ERP can tell you what should be made; it cannot tell you whether the line that's supposed to make it is up, what the current changeover state is, or how to resequence around an unplanned event. Most manufacturers operating at scale layer APS or scheduling-specific tools on top of ERP, integrated through MES and shop floor systems.

Question 5

When and where is the 2026 Manufacturing Scheduling Summit?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 Manufacturing Scheduling Summit takes place Tuesday September 22 and Wednesday September 23, 2026, at The Wade Hotel Chicago, 644 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL. Both program days run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Question 6

What does it cost to attend the Manufacturing Scheduling Summit?

Accepted Answer

Registration is $700 USD per attendee. The fee covers all sessions, breakfast and lunch both days, the networking dinner, and post-summit takeaway materials. Travel and lodging are not included. A negotiated rate of $199 per night at The Wade Hotel Chicago is available to attendees through August 31, 2026.

Question 7

What is included with registration?

Accepted Answer

Registration includes full access to keynotes, panels, learning tracks, and live demos; breakfast and lunch on both program days; evening dinner networking; and post-event materials and templates.

Question 8

Can I transfer my registration to a colleague?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Registrations are transferable to a colleague within your organization. Contact events@ontimeedge.com with the new attendee's details.

Question 9

Who is the keynote speaker?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 keynote is delivered by John Dyck, CEO of CESMII — The Smart Manufacturing Institute. John has been recognized as one of SME's '30 Leaders Transforming Manufacturing in the USA' and holds several patents in AI and analytics for manufacturing.

Question 10

Should I book my hotel room separately?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Hotel accommodations are booked separately from registration. The Wade Hotel Chicago offers a negotiated rate of $199 USD per night (plus tax) for summit attendees through August 31, 2026. Book using the dedicated reservation link on the event page or by calling The Wade Hotel Chicago at (312) 943-9200.

The Manufacturing Scheduling Summit 2026

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