Override Settings
There is an option to over-ride any saved default settings during each auto scheduling session. This is done by selecting/unselecting “Use Alternative Work Units” from the auto scheduling dialog options.
When a specific work unit has no available capacity in the current planning interval, Visual APS can still schedule a job order/operation automatically if there is spare capacity within other compatible work units. This is done through the use of alternative work units. All the work units that can perform similar operations need to be associated with a Group for this function to work.
To create a work unit group
Open Visual APS
Select the Home Menu
Select Alternatives
At the bottom left of the window click Add New to create a New Group
Type in a group name (Max 8 characters) and description
Click OK
To the left of the group name click the + symbol to display a list of Work Units
Tick the box against each Work Unit that is to be included in the group
Click OK
To include alternative work units in scheduling
Open Visual APS
Select the Schedule Menu
Select Default Rules to open the Edit Settings Window
In the General section for Scheduling ensure the "Use Alternative Work Units" box is ticked
Click OK to apply the setting.
If you use the Alternative Work Units function this means that if a Work Unit is fully loaded, another Work Unit in the group will be scheduled but only as a second choice. The usual Visual APS logic is to try and schedule the Work Unit specified in the operation (the primary) and then try and schedule to alternatives in random order. If an operation can be produced at more than one Work Unit, there is also the option to drag and drop it either to the primary Work Unit specified or to an alternative Work Unit in the group. There is the facility to turn off visibility of the Work Unit during this process by removing the tick from the Loading settings in the Schedule menu.
Applies to: LYNQ 2019, alternative, work units, capacity, resource management