Every manufacturer has been faced with this situation. It looks as if there is enough inventory and capacity to build an order to a particular schedule. However, inaccurate planning and backlogged schedules for other orders make any promises made to customers impossible to keep. Not only does this cause problems on the shop floor, but it also has a ripple effect on other aspects of the supply chain.

Enter HighWAY. This advanced capable-to-promise software engine from Swisslog interfaces with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in real-time to eliminate the uncertainty of what can be delivered to a customer and when. The software establishes a critical path and eliminates back scheduling in build-to-order operations, according to Otto Wassermann, who heads up Swisslog's Supply Chain Consulting operation in North Billerica, Mass. and Munich, Germany.

"We're trying to put an end to sub-optimization of individual enterprises and in so doing optimize supply chains," said Wassermann, at a special press conference at the CeBit show in Hannover, Germany.

Wassermann and his chief operating officer, Tilo Schultz, explained that the software optimizes supply chain efficiencies by decreasing work-in-process, improving inventory turns, and decreasing the need for expediting.

"This is an event management tool that allows suppliers and customers to collaborate," said Schultz.

The software interfaces with all ERP systems. Real-time capabilities make it highly flexible. HighWAY can be licensed and run on an end users' own server, or in an application service provider (ASP) environment on a centralized server administered by Swisslog.

For more information, visit www.swisslog.com.