Extended functionality on JIT scheduling & accessible tooltips

We’re excited to announce the release of our latest just plan it version, successfully delivered as part of sprint Q2-2025!

This release focuses on two key enhancements that have been consistently requested by our users:

• Provide functionality to define a time buffer to be considered for all jobs with backward scheduling strategies (JIT or JIT+)
  
  
• Provide functionality to make hyperlinks in task tooltip directly accessible

With both extensions, we are confident that both the automatic finite scheduling power and the user experience of our just plan it (jpi) software have been improved.

Time buffer for JIT Scheduling

Until now, reverse scheduling always started strictly—to the second—with the defined job due date "from right to left." This had the disadvantage that even the smallest delays in an operation on the shop floor led to delayed completion dates. In the dynamic environment to which high-mix, low-volume manufacturers are exposed, experience has shown that this is more the rule than the exception. Pursuing JiT scheduling strategies has therefore always been fraught with considerable risk.

We've now remedied this situation. For each backward-scheduled job, it's now possible to define an absolute JIT time buffer. This time period is then considered in addition to the due date during automatic finite scheduling:

• In “Manage Job Details” dialogue you can define the due date buffer when a backward scheduling strategy is selected

• Once you have defined a JIT buffer the automatic finite scheduling engine will directly consider the time span by deducting it from the due date.

Please note that when deducting from due date buffer the calculation does not consider any of the resources calendars but assumes a 24/7 calendar. Hence it is recommended to also use time of the day for due dates when backward scheduling with time buffer.

If this is taken into account, backward scheduling is now an extremely valid option, even in a dynamic job shop environment. It is recommended to use empirical values ​​to quantify the due date buffer. The simple rule applies here: "The more stable the processes on the shop floor are and the more predictable they are, the smaller the buffer can be." This allows you to immediately benefit from the advantages of JIT scheduling: automatic WIP minimization and, with JIT+, additional "bottleneck-friendly" features.

Accessible Tooltips

The hyperlink functionality is a feature requested by our customer and specified together with them. Accordingly, this functionality enjoys great popularity and is used so frequently that it was suggested that access to the corresponding hyperlink be simplified. Since we at jpi are always interested in making simplifications possible, we developed the active tooltips:

• When defining the hyperlinks, everything remains as usual: simply add the hyperlink in the "Manage Task details" dialog and then add the hyperlinks in the setting for the task tooltip.
  
  
• The hyperlink then appears in the task tooltip, as usual. What's new, however, is that you can now navigate to the tooltip with the cursor to access the hyperlink directly.

That’s it for today. If you have any ideas for future enhancements that would help you schedule even better with jpi then please let us know. Just send an email and share your ideas with us! 

Next steps to take

If you are already a valued customer, you can start utilizing the new features right away. 

If you're curious about trying out our software implementing Automatic Finite Scheduling in your processes but have not yet become a customer, feel free to test it out for 7 days and see how it can benefit you.

FREE TRIAL

If you're interested in exploring our production scheduling software tailored for HMLV companies and determining its suitability for your needs, why not schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our experts? Simply click here to access their calendars and book a convenient appointment.

Further information

Explore all the latest product releases right here.