The benefits of an effective Operations Planning and Control (OPC) system can be impressive. Vollmann (1997) quotes examples of cost reduction, increased labour productivity, reduced lead times, and increased inventory turns.
The scope for improvement is often very great as there are many weak OPC systems. OPC systems provide people in organisations with information so that they can make intelligent decisions. They are there to support effective operations management.
OPC systems need to support: responsiveness to customers; co-ordination of the activities of internal departments and external suppliers; effective deployment of people; efficient use of facilities; efficient management of materials.