FitFactory Scheduler

Overview

FitFactory Scheduler is production scheduling software for subcontract manufacturers that need to map jobs against machine capacity. It suits teams balancing shifting priorities, resource constraints and delivery commitments. Its focus is practical; custom pricing and separately charged training make the cost of adoption an important part of the decision.

Key features

Finite-capacity scheduling plots booked work across machines, surfacing clashes and available capacity so planners can check whether a delivery date is workable before committing. Automatic job prioritisation lays out work according to requirements, while drag-and-drop rescheduling helps teams respond when priorities change.

Planning covers work groups, holidays, absences, shift patterns and subcontracting, with material and labor constraints also supported. That breadth makes Scheduler more relevant to manufacturers planning around real resource limits than to teams seeking a simple task calendar. What-if scenarios can help planners consider alternatives before changing the schedule.

Production analysis highlights long-running jobs and tasks, as well as orders that regularly miss targets. Shop-floor updates are supported, and the Scheduler can be combined with Fitfactory’s Machine Monitoring and shop-floor data capture modules. Fitfactory says its MES modules can integrate with any ERP/MRP system through an open API, which gives existing systems a route to connect without making Scheduler a standalone replacement for them.

Pricing

The Fitfactory Scheduler subscription has custom pricing. The subscription includes support, online help manuals, a customer ticketing system and ongoing updates. UK-based support is available Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm.

Training is charged separately at £955+VAT per day, with at least two days recommended for new purchases. That is a meaningful additional expense to budget for alongside the subscription, particularly for a new implementation. No per-seat or scheduling quota terms are stated.

Platforms

FitFactory Scheduler is listed for Android, iOS and Windows.

Who it's for

Scheduler is aimed at subcontract manufacturers, including precision engineers, fabricators, treatment houses and machine shops. It is a strong fit for planners who need machine-level capacity views and must account for labor, materials, shift patterns or subcontracting. Businesses outside manufacturing, or those looking for a general-purpose planner, should look elsewhere.

Fitfactory was founded in 2020, building on 25 years of Tricorn manufacturing software experience. The Scheduler page displays a Cyber Essentials Plus badge. Fitfactory says it uses encryption where appropriate and deletes customer data 14 days after a service agreement ends.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Machine-level capacity planning helps planners assess delivery commitments against booked work and clashes.
• Pros: Resource, material and labor constraints make the schedule more relevant to complex subcontract production.
• Pros: Rescheduling, what-if scenarios and production analysis support both day-to-day changes and performance review.
• Cons: Custom subscription pricing makes costs harder to compare before requesting a quote.
• Cons: Recommended training adds at least £1,910+VAT for two days, before any subscription cost.

Alternatives

Compare production scheduling software if you want to survey the category before choosing a manufacturing-specific tool.

• frePPLe is worth considering for a free open-source edition or a cloud option with a maximum of six scenarios.
• NETVIBES is another paid option, with a free plan and a listed Enterprise Data Science plan.
• Phoenix APS offers a free beta evaluation, but its temporary license is not for production use.
• GE Vernova Proficy Plant Applications is an alternative for process, discrete and mixed manufacturing, hosted or on-premises.
• Accevo APS offers perpetual licensing with optional annual maintenance or a subscription license.
• SkyPlanner APS may suit a team looking for a five-workstation package with additional scheduled resources available separately.
• Statii is another paid option, with a shop-floor user plan at £8.50 a month.
• Asprova APS is a self-hosted Windows alternative with package pricing open and potential additional implementation, training, consultation and integration costs.

Verdict

Choose FitFactory Scheduler if your subcontract manufacturing operation needs to plan jobs against machine capacity and adapt schedules around real resource constraints. Its production-specific planning and analysis are the main reasons to shortlist it; custom subscription pricing and separately billed, recommended training are the reasons to compare the total cost carefully before committing.