A computerized method for planning the use of a company’s resources, such as scheduling raw materials, suppliers/vendors, production equipment and processes.
Comments: Many MRPII systems include distribution management, certain Human Resources Functions, various customizable business critical functions, and toll-gating features etc.
To be blunt as Lean practitioners we tend to employ “Occam’s Razor” which paraphrased states that the simplest answer is usually the best. There is a great deal of complexity in these systems and many times their output is ignored or worked-around.
Look for improved planning software that takes Lean principles into account in the near future. Many good people a fair amount brighter than the rest of us are working hard to create truly increadible new systems.