FLEXSCHE Version 22
FLEXSCHE version 22.0 was released on March 27, 2023. Numerous feature enhancements have been implemented. Here are some of the main ones. (Differences between version 21.0 and version 22.0)
Storage Tank
A special resource that can store items
By using the "Storage Tank" resource, it is now possible to store items in the resource through operations or release them from the resource.
* The advanced option "Storage Tank" (2 units) is required.
The transition of the storage amount of each item in the storage tank can be checked with the "Storage Tank Chart." Scheduling that considers the remaining amount and available capacity of items in the storage tank is also possible.
FLEXSCHE Optimizer
Sheet Cutting Plan
A function to minimize scrap when cutting products from rectangular sheets has been added.
For detailed explanationhereplease refer to.
Loop Painting Line Circulation Plan
A function to minimize hanger attachment and detachment in the loop painting line has been added.
For detailed explanationhereplease refer to.
Real-time Progress Display and Interruption
When the Optimizer finds a better solution, progress information such as "Objective Function Value" and "Elapsed Time" is displayed in real-time on the message panel. Additionally, if you want to interrupt the work during the progress display, you can do so at any time by pressing the Ctrl key and the Break key simultaneously.
This will enable smoother and more efficient work both during the introduction development and actual operation.
Calendar Support for Minimize Overdue Method
It is now available even if there are non-operating time periods for resources.(With some restrictions)
In the following sample, dynamic changeover is set among 32 operations, and there are daily non-operating time periods. Starting from the initial plan set in order of due dates, by rearranging the order of operations, a plan without overdue was reached in about 10 seconds.
FLEXSCHE Communicator
Evaluation Edition
The evaluation edition mode has been implemented.
Although there are restrictions on the number of projects and data volume that can be registered, you can check the functionality before purchasing a license, just like the GP evaluation edition.
Check-out List Screen
When multiple people are operating a project, if the data is checked out by someone, it cannot be edited, of course. Previously, if only some records were checked out, it was necessary to check each table one by one from the client.
In version 22, the check-out status of data can now be listed on the management web console. It also displays who has checked out the data.
Scheduling Related
Parallel Processing
Like FLEXSCHE GP, parallelization is also supported during the execution of expressions. It becomes effective when the behavior setting option is turned on in the management web console.
Server Rescheduling Interruption
When executing time-consuming scheduling rules on the server, it was previously necessary to wait until all processes were completed. For example, if you remember that you forgot to update the data and want to redo the rescheduling, you would have to wait unnecessarily until the end if using time-consuming rules.
In version 22, it is now possible to issue instructions to forcibly interrupt server rescheduling, allowing you to stop and redo it.
Integration with CarryOut
As part of strengthening the integration function between Communicator and CarryOut, a function to update project data on the CarryOut server and the Communicator server has been added. It can be executed from the Communicator management web console or CommCLI.
FLEXSCHE WebViewer
Order Gantt Chart Row
It is now possible to display the order Gantt chart row. It displays a series of operations belonging to an order in chronological order.
Similar to the resource Gantt chart row, you can set display strings and display colors for operations.
Expansion of Signboard Row
It is now possible to set strings and display colors on the signboard row.
Additionally, it can be displayed by dividing with a mesh. The display content can be specified with an expression.
[Sample] Item Signboard
With the expansion of the above order Gantt chart row and signboard row, it is now possible to express advanced charts like the one below in WebViewer. (Sample ishere）
For each product
- Total number of orders and order quantity (Signboard Row)
- Display the number of orders due on that day daily (Signboard Row - Mesh Display)
- Order Gantt chart row for orders with that product as the order item
is displayed.
Scheduling/Modeling
Operation Hold Status and Interruption
A status called hold state has been added to operations.
Operations that are on hold are excluded from assignment processing and error reporting.
- By specifying the cancellation of results, subsequent operations are not planned
- Order hold flag + specification by Operation Generation Method (all operations of a specific order are put on hold)
- Modify Properties Method
With operations like these, you can freely control the hold state of operations.
Example of specifying "Cancellation" in operation results
Repetition of Processes
It has become possible to flexibly repeat specific processes.
When specifying repetition for a process, the target process generates operations to repeat a specified number of times.
By combining with alternative jobs, it is also possible to repeat multiple processes together.
In the image example, the number of times the painting process is performed varies for each order.
Constraint Between Split Operations
It has become possible to use the same resource for operations split from a single operation and to prevent other operations from intervening between them.
* The advanced option "Resource Occupation" (2 units) is required to prevent intervention.
It can also be used in conjunction with the existing function "Inter-Task Occupation Constraint."
Dynamic Split by Remaining Inventory
When assigning operations, it is possible to automatically split according to the remaining amount of items used by the operation or the available capacity of items produced by the operation.
It also supports the remaining amount and available capacity in the storage tank.
* The advanced option "Split by Remaining Inventory" (1 unit) is required.
Dataset Indicating the Position of Objects and People
Efforts are being made in factories to collect the positions of people and objects using beacons and other means.
It has become possible to receive information about those positions. The production scheduler can receive operation results to understand the current state of the factory, and by adding location information, it will be possible to analyze more precisely, leading to better planning.
Support for Split Operations in Inter-Process Continuous Constraint
The inter-process continuous constraint also supports split operations.
Even in cases where the resource's non-operating time is crossed or the capacity changes midway, it becomes possible to impose constraints so that shortages do not occur from both supply and demand at any cut-off time.
In the left diagram, when using the Split-Compatible Inter-process Time Constraint, a reversal occurs in the dotted line section between the supply side and the demand side due to non-operating time. In the right diagram, when using the Inter-Process Continuous Constraint, the constraint prevents reversal in the dotted line section, delaying the start on the consumer side.
Excel® Report Generation Function
The report generation feature has been significantly improved.
Excel® is no longer required
It is now possible to generate report files even in environments where Microsoft Excel® is not installed.
Speed Enhancement
Previously, the internal processing used the Excel® application, but now the processing is completed within the FLEXSCHE process. As a result, report generation is faster than before.
Reference Value: [GP Sample] Excel Report Output Scheduling Time with Active Rule 45.8sec → 6.3sec
Report output is now possible on the Communicator server
It is now possible to issue report output commands from CommCLI.
User Interface
Minimap Panel
The navigation panel has been renewed and reintroduced as the Minimap Panel.
The previous navigation panel made it difficult to understand the correspondence between the display range of the synchronized chart and the display frame of the panel, making it challenging to accurately move to the desired chart position.
In the Minimap Panel, the entire chart is displayed in a simplified manner, making it easier to understand the correspondence with the chart and allowing quick and accurate movement to the desired position.
Additionally, you can enlarge or reduce the display range of the chart by dragging the edge of the display frame.
Make resource connection constraint violations easier to understand
When there is a resource connection constraint between processes, a warning is displayed for resources that would violate the connection when moving operations on the resource Gantt chart, making violations easier to understand.
In the example on the left, there is a constraint that once entering Line A upstream, it flows as A, such as "Noodle Line A → Boiling A → Manufacturing Line A," so you cannot move the Boiling A operation to other lines (Boiling B, Boiling C), which is indicated by a red slash warning.
GUI Color Theme
You can select a theme to specify and switch the background color of time-series charts, such as resource Gantt charts and load charts, all at once.
You can choose from built-in themes or create your own theme. More built-in themes are planned to be added in the future.
Interrupt Insertion of Processes and Operations
In the process editor and operation editor, you can now insert processes or operations between existing elements when adding them.
For example, when adding Process B between Processes A and C, it was previously necessary to reconnect the process link between AC to the newly placed Process B and adjust the placement. With this improvement, when newly adding Process B, specifying its position on the link between AC will automatically form a link to insert it.
(An animation is displayed when enlarged)
FLEXSCHE CarryOut
Upload of Configuration Files
It is now possible to upload configuration files, such as those for custom layouts used by the CarryOut client, from the FLEXSCHE GP project to the CarryOut server.
This makes it easier to manage files on a project basis.
Performance Improvement
Performance has been improved in processes such as when FLEXSCHE GP fetches update data from the CarryOut server and when exporting to the CarryOut server's database.
FLEXSCHE DataTuner
Getting Started Guide
A getting started guide for FLEXSCHE DataTuner has been added. It provides an easy way to experience what FLEXSCHE DataTuner is and how to use it.
Along with the addition, the launcher's getting started guide panel has also been revamped.
Display String
The left column of the DataTuner console now supports editing display strings.
You can change to a more readable display format when checking results.
Outlier Search
When analyzing with FLEXSCHE DataTuner, there are data that are excluded from the results as outliers. It is now possible to search for what kind of data is treated as outliers.
Please use this when analyzing the cause.
Batch Application
A feature has been added to apply the corrected values from the analysis results to the master in batch.
Data exceeding a pre-specified threshold of recommendation will be targeted. In the image, only data with a surplus of over 50% is targeted.
FLEXSCHE Viewer
The Analyzer feature is now available in FLEXSCHE Viewer.
Analyzer becomes active on the Viewer when opening Viewer data output from FLEXSCHE GP with an Analyzer license. Users of the Viewer can analyze and visualize plans from various perspectives.
Expression
Display of Line Numbers in Calculation Formula Input Dialog
It is now possible to display line numbers in the multi-line calculation formula input dialog.
Displaying line numbers makes it easier to locate when entering a calculation formula with many lines.
List of Added Functions
The number of functions available in expressions has increased, further expanding what you can do.