Generation of Planned Orders and their Matching with Customer Orders in Multi-variant Series Production

Abstract Sustainability of production and supply chains can be achieved by efficient planning. However, customers’ demand for multi-variant products and short lead times poses a challenge for automobile manufacturers not receiving customer orders in the mid-term planning horizon. To meet this uncertainty, this paper shall introduce an approach for anticipating customer orders by generating planned orders and for matching planned orders with incoming customer orders. Planned orders enable the integration of sales planning, production planning and material requirements planning in the mid-term and short-term planning horizons. In conclusion, resources can be used more efficiently to fulfill customer needs.