How do I integrate my logistics with PPC ?

In the current scenario, marked by high competitiveness, complex production chains and increasingly demanding customers, integrating logistics with PPC (Production Planning, Scheduling and Control) is no longer an option and has become a strategic differentiator for the success of operations.

However, in practice, it's still common for companies to keep these areas working in isolation, resulting in bottlenecks, communication failures, imbalanced inventory, and often delivery delays. The good news is that integrating logistics and PPC is entirely possible—and the path involves well-defined processes, technology, and a collaborative culture.

‍

💡 Why is integrating logistics and PPC so important?

When logistics and PPC work in sync, the company gains:

• Better predictability of production and deliveries;

• Cost reduction with storage and transportation;

• Greater efficiency in the use of resources;

• Flexibility to respond to unforeseen market;

• Increased customer satisfaction.

The integration of these areas transforms Supply Chain into a fluid gear, capable of generating value and increasing the company's competitiveness. And to achieve this level of excellence, more and more companies have been betting on specific digital solutions to connect their tip to end value chains.

🔍 How to do it?

The first step to integrating logistics into PPC is to clearly map the company's information and material flows. This means clearly understanding:

• How information and data circulate between purchases, inventory, production and transportation;

• What are the critical steps in the logistics process;

• Where the largest bottlenecks and communication noises occur.

This mapping helps identify communication gaps, locate logistical and operational bottlenecks, and standardize information across sectors, creating a solid foundation for alignment between areas and an environment where everyone speaks the mes"operational language."

Next, it's crucial that production planning be based on real, up-to-date data from the supply chain. This means that supply times, inventory levels, transportation capacity, and leadmes must always be visible and integrated with PPC tools. When this information is handled in isolation, the risk of disruptions increases considerably.  

📊 Planning based on real data

For efficient integration, PPC must work with:

• Real supply deadlines;

• Leadmes for transportation and receiving;

• Storage and movement capacity.

The more faithful this data integration, the lower the risk of delays and waste.

Another essential aspect is the use of integrated systems, such as ERPs and specialized supply chain software. These tools allow logistics to feed PPC in real time with data on inputs and outputs, delivery status, and expected receipt of inputs. In this sense, technology acts as the link between planning and execution, ensuring rapid responses to unforeseen events.

💻 Technology as a link

Integrated management systems, such as ERPs and specialized supply chain platforms, are essential for connecting logistics and PPC . They allow:

• Update and sharing of information in real time, such as inventory, orders and transport data;

• Automation of alerts and updates;

• Monitoring of Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Technology transforms the flow of information into an agile and reliable process.

Beyond technology, integration depends on a collaborative culture between teams. Without shared metrics, each area may work with conflicting priorities. Therefore, it's crucial that logistics and PPC share clear objectives and common performance indicators, such as order fulfillment rate, logistics service level, and adherence to the production plan. This helps reduce conflicts and guides decisions toward what truly matters: efficient service and delivering value to the customer.  

🎯 Goals and indicators aligned

Without shared indicators, each area can work with conflicting priorities. Some essential metrics:

• Delivery rate on time;

• Stock turnover;

• Adherence to the production plan;

• Customer service level.

Another point that deserves attention is the joint planning of scenarios. Situations such as supplier delays, sudden increase in demand or logistics restrictions should be simulated and discussed in an integrated manner. This practice strengthens the company's reaction capacity, reduces the impact of unforeseen events and promotes more proactive management of Supply Chain. Anticipating problems and creating action plans is a practice that differentiates reactive companies from strategic companies.  

Finally, it's important to establish a routine for frequent alignment between the logistics and PPC mes . Weekly or daily meetings, shared dashboards, and clear communication are essential to adjust the plan based on real market and operational conditions. Integration is not a one-off event, but rather an ongoing process of alignment and improvement.

‍

🚀 Empower your operation with Siemens solutions

To achieve these benefits, Siemens offers a powerful combination of solutions: SDL AX4 , a logistics collaboration platform, and Opcenter APS , an advanced production planning and programming system. Integration of these tools allows synchronizing delivery and receiving deadlines with production planning, quickly reacting to logistics or productive unforeseen events, and reducing communication failures between supply chain, production and transportation.

‍

🧩 SDL Ax4 + Opcenter APS: Efficient Planning Integration to Execution

While SDL AX4 acts as a logistics hub, connecting suppliers, carriers and real -time distribution centers, Opcenter APS works to create intelligent and dynamic production plans, optimizing resources and capabilities based on real restrictions.

By feeding reliable logistics data directly from SDL AX4 Opcenter APS planning becomes realistic and aligned with the realities of the supply chain, capable of anticipating transportation and supply constraints while mes flexibility for rapid adjustments without compromising deliveries. Together, these tools enable:

• Synchronize delivery and receiving deadlines with production planning;

• React quickly to logistical or productive unforeseen events;

• Reduce communication gaps between supply chain, production and transportation;

• Raise operational efficiency;

In the Siemens ecosystem, interoperability between SDL AX4 and Opcenter APS enables the sharing of logistics and real -time production data, reducing manual errors and rework and automation of warnings on time and capacity deviations. With SDL AX4 integrating logistics and Opcenter APS controlling production planning, information automatically flows between areas, strengthening data alignment and data -based decision making. From this integration, management is now guided by unique and reliable data.  

‍

‍

✅ Conclusion

Integrating logistics and PPC is a strategic step that allows you to transform challenges into opportunities, making your operation more efficient, agile, and competitive. The synergy between planning and execution reduces costs, improves deadlines, and generates real value for the customer. Thus, by combining robust solutions like SDL AX4 and Opcenter APS , your company transforms planning and execution into a continuous and intelligent flow, capable of quickly adapting to market changes and ensuring excellent deliveries .

👉 Request a personalized demonstration and find out how to increase the efficiency of your operation.

🔗 Click here and talk to a consultant

‍