duler not only delivers flexible daily
schedules, but also you gives you the
tools to identify better options faster.
Powerful Process Modeling
The VirtECS Scheduler allows fully
automatic schedule generation and
detailed process models, allowing you
to change process parameters such as
yields, rates, setup times, as well as
target inventory levels and even the
number of process vessels.
Extensive Scenario Analysis
When there are many separate options to
consider for process improvement, the
number of different combinations to
consider can be staggering. Thats where
the ability to automatically vary plant
parameters and generate feasible
schedules automatically can save
considerable time and money, and allow
you to look at options that might have
been missed before.

Identify Effective Changes
By exploring a spectrum of possible
process or policy changes, VirtECS
Scheduler can help you identify the most
productive change or set of changes
which can improve your plants overall
capacity or throughput. VirtECS can also
consider economic factors such as the
expected benefit versus the cost of the
recommended change.
Foster Continuous Improvement
With traditional initiatives to consider
process improvements, the time and
effort to identify a course of action can be
significant. With the powerful strategic
planning capabilities of VirtECS
Scheduler, the quest for continuous
process improvement need not be a one-
shot deal. Demand levels and resource
bottlenecks are not static use VirtECS
to monitor the dynamic variables which
limit your plants capacity.
Simulation and Optimization
If your operation has uncertain demands
or variable yields, VirtECS Scheduler can
use sophisticated simulation techniques
to help you respond rapidly to change.
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When considering options for improving throughput & planning
capacity, you need a solution that can generate quality schedules
automatically over a wide range of conditions.
VirtECS Scheduler 6.0
provides unparalleled
speed and power in
considering process
improvements to
increase capacity.





































































































Advanced
Process
Combinatorics
3000 Kent Ave. West Lafayette, IN 47906
Tel: (765) 497-9969 FAX: (765) 463-5126
E-mail: info@combination.com
Website: http://www.combination.com
Copyright 2005 Advanced Process Combinatorics, Inc. All rights reserved.
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A pharmaceutical manufacturing plant is expecting a large increase in
demand in about four months. They need to increase capacity to meet
anticipated demand levels, preferably without large capital expenditure.
There are several options to consider for process improvement.
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Three step process
with shared parallel
equipment, making
products A, B, C.

Grow
Separate
Fill

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The capacity planning interface was configured for these specified alterna-
tives, then many choices and combinations were considered through fully
automated scheduling. These results were ranked by product throughput.
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The plant manager specified the following specific alternatives to consider:

1) Decrease overall process time (including setup) for Grow/Separate steps
2) Increase process yields on the order of 5% for the three products
3) Modify the Campaign Length (# of batches run sequentially)
4) Decrease the cleanup/changeover times for the tanks
5) Purchase additional processing equipment

For each change considered, a cost was specified and the resulting
capacity was evaluated by the VirtECS Scheduler over a 12 month period.
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The capacity study showed that the most cost effective means to deliver
anticipated demands was to reduce the process time of Product A Growth
step by 15% and to double the campaign lengths of both Product A and B.
The expected cost was $450,000 resulting in a payback time of 6 months.
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