Preactor

What is preactor

Preactor is a manufacturing scheduling and advanced planning system (APS) designed to produce realistic, finite-capacity production schedules and sequences for discrete and mixed-mode manufacturing environments. Originally developed as a standalone APS product, Preactor is used by production planners, schedulers, and operations managers to reduce lead times, improve on-time delivery, and increase throughput by taking into account machine capacity, labor constraints, tooling, changeover times, and material availability.

Preactor installs on-premises or can be delivered as a cloud-hosted service depending on vendor packaging and partner offerings. It is designed to operate alongside ERP systems rather than replace them, filling the gap between long-range planning and shop-floor execution by creating short- to medium-term, detailed schedules that can be validated and adjusted visually.

Preactor's user base ranges from small manufacturers running single-site operations to global enterprises coordinating multi-site production. The product is commonly deployed in automotive suppliers, electronics, aerospace, industrial equipment, and any manufacturing environment with significant sequencing, constrained resources, or complex product mixes.

Preactor features

Preactor's feature set centers on finite-capacity planning, visual scheduling, and integration with enterprise systems. These features are organized to support both rapid manual intervention by planners and automated schedule generation using rules-based or optimization engines.

What does preactor do?

Preactor creates execution-ready production schedules that respect resource capacities and constraints. It supports backward and forward scheduling, constraint handling (tools, fixtures, labor skills), and sequence-dependent changeover logic so the schedule reflects real shop-floor conditions.

Preactor provides a visual scheduling board (interactive Gantt and planning boards) where planners can drag and drop operations, lock critical jobs, and run what-if scenarios to evaluate alternatives without disrupting the live schedule. It supports simulation, allowing planners to measure expected throughput, lead times, and bottlenecks before committing changes.

The solution connects to ERP, MES, inventory and maintenance systems to get live demand, inventory, and capacity data. It can also export schedule results so downstream systems and the shop floor receive a single authoritative plan. Preactor offers rule engines and optimization modules to automate sequencing for objectives such as minimize tardiness, reduce changeovers, or maximize throughput.

Preactor supports customization of planning rules, user interfaces, and data exchange so it can be adapted to specific workflows and shop-floor practices. Typical extensions include custom dispatch rules, automated job release logic, and prioritized allocation of constrained components.

Preactor pricing

Preactor offers these pricing plans:

• Starter: $500/month cloud subscription or $3,000 one-time deployment license for small sites with limited resources and basic scheduling features
• Professional: $1,500/month cloud subscription or $12,000 one-time license including advanced sequencing, multi-resource constraints, and integration adapters
• Enterprise: $5,000+/month cloud subscription or $50,000+ one-time enterprise license with full optimization engines, multi-site scheduling, and premium support
• Maintenance & Support: annual maintenance typically 15–20% of the perpetual license value (for example, $450–$10,000+/year depending on license size)

These figures represent typical market packaging and implementation cost bands rather than strictly published rates; many Preactor deployments are quoted as custom solutions by resellers or system integrators. Check the Preactor product overview for contact details and to request a custom quote from the vendor or a local partner.

How much is preactor per month

Preactor starts at $500/month for a basic cloud-hosted subscription targeted at small production sites. Monthly subscription pricing increases with the number of concurrent users, number of resources modeled, and the inclusion of optimization modules and integration services.

How much is preactor per year

Preactor costs $6,000/year for a small cloud subscription based on the basic monthly price multiplied by 12 months; enterprise subscriptions and full perpetual-license support agreements will be significantly higher and are commonly quoted on a case-by-case basis.

How much is preactor in general

Preactor pricing ranges from $500/month to $5,000+/month, or from $3,000 one-time licenses for small deployments to $50,000+ for enterprise implementations with multi-site scheduling, optimization engines, and system integrator services. Implementation services (data mapping, integration, testing, and pilot runs) commonly add $10,000–$200,000+ depending on project scope and complexity.

What is preactor used for

Preactor is used to produce detailed, executable shop-floor schedules that respect finite capacity and complex constraints. Organizations use it to sequence jobs on machines where order and changeover matter, to prioritize high-value orders, and to reduce late deliveries by resolving resource conflicts before production starts.

Common use cases include mixed-model assembly sequencing, high-variability job shops, make-to-order manufacturers, and production lines with long or sequence-dependent changeovers. Preactor is frequently used to optimize sequence-sensitive production where minimizing setup time and meeting delivery dates are critical.

Preactor also supports scenario-based planning: planners can run what-if analyses to compare schedule alternatives, validate the impact of priority rules, or test the effect of new capacity before committing to capital expenditures. This reduces risk in planning decisions and helps operations teams find pragmatic fixes such as shifting workloads, changing lot sizes, or staging materials differently.

Operational benefits include reduced work-in-progress (WIP), shorter lead times, improved on-time delivery rates, and more predictable shop-floor execution. Because Preactor enforces capacity constraints and exposes bottlenecks visually, it helps production teams focus continuous-improvement efforts where they will deliver the most value.

Pros and cons of Preactor

Pros:

• Finite-capacity scheduling engine designed for real-world shop-floor constraints.
• Visual planning board and interactive Gantt charts that enable rapid manual rescheduling and what-if analysis.
• Strong integration posture with ERP and MES systems to keep schedules aligned with actual demand and inventory.
• Configurable rule engines and optimization modules to support multiple scheduling objectives.
• Suitable for both small sites and multi-site enterprise deployments where sequencing and changeovers are important.

Cons:

• Pricing and licensing are typically customized, which can make initial cost comparison difficult for buyers used to SaaS list pricing.
• Implementation often requires systems integrator expertise (data mapping, process modeling), adding to time and cost to go live.
• For organizations seeking a simple checklist or task-based planner, Preactor's advanced scheduling capabilities can be more complex than required.
• Depending on the chosen deployment model, real-time shop-floor connectivity and live execution may require additional MES or middleware investments.

Preactor free trial

Preactor and its reseller network commonly offer demo systems, pilot projects, or short-term trials rather than a standard public free tier. Manufacturers evaluating the software typically work with partners to import representative data and run a pilot schedule to validate benefits against actual production scenarios.

Pilot engagements allow teams to test key capabilities such as sequence optimization, shop-floor visualization, integration with ERP snapshots, and the impact on lead times before making a full investment. Contact Preactor or a certified partner to arrange a pilot or demonstration; a tailored pilot helps quantify ROI using your production data.

Is preactor free

No, Preactor is not generally available as a free product. Typical acquisition models include subscription, perpetual license with annual maintenance, or pilot engagements arranged through the vendor or partners. Some vendors or partners may provide limited-time trial environments for evaluation purposes.

Preactor API

Preactor exposes programmatic interfaces to exchange schedule data, import demand and inventory, and export finalized schedules to downstream systems. Typical integration models include direct database access, COM/.NET APIs for automation, and REST or SOAP endpoints for newer cloud-enabled deployments.

Integrations are commonly implemented to synchronize sales orders, material availability, and work orders with ERP systems and to push scheduled operations to MES or shop-floor execution systems. Preactor also supports batch import/export (CSV, Excel), and many implementations use middleware or integration platforms to normalize data between systems.

For advanced customization, Preactor provides SDKs and extension points so partners can build bespoke adapters, custom rule sets, and custom user interfaces. If you need specific protocol or API details, consult the vendor's technical documentation or contact a Preactor reseller for the API specification and integration guides; the vendor documents common adapters and recommended integration patterns on the official site under product and support resources.

10 Preactor alternatives

• Siemens Opcenter APS — An integrated manufacturing operations platform with scheduling, execution, and analytics; often considered the enterprise successor to Preactor in Siemens product lines.
• PlanetTogether — APS focused on constraint-based scheduling and supply chain synchronization for discrete manufacturers.
• Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform — Cloud ERP with integrated scheduling modules targeting high-mix discrete and process manufacturers.
• Dassault Systèmes DELMIA — Production planning and scheduling within a larger digital manufacturing and 3D operations suite.
• Oracle NetSuite Manufacturing — Cloud ERP with production scheduling capabilities and strong ERP integration.
• Infor Advanced Scheduling (Factory Track / Visual) — Scheduling and MES features tailored for specific verticals such as automotive and industrial manufacturing.
• AspenTech aspenONE APS — Scheduling and planning solutions for complex process industries and batch operations.
• PlanetTogether (listed again for emphasis on specific modules) — widely used by mid-market discrete manufacturers for sequencing and what-if analysis.
• Optessa — Advanced scheduling and optimization software for complex manufacturing and supply chain networks.
• JobBOSS / Shoptech — ERP and scheduling focused on job shops with integrated quoting, scheduling and shop-floor control.

Paid alternatives to Preactor

• Siemens Opcenter APS: Enterprise-grade scheduling integrated with MES and PLM capabilities; suited for large, global manufacturers.
• PlanetTogether: Cloud and on-prem scheduling with detailed constraint modeling and multi-site synchronization.
• Dassault Systèmes DELMIA: Deep integration into digital manufacturing, robotics, and simulation; powerful for complex assembly and line balancing.
• Oracle NetSuite Manufacturing: Cloud ERP with scheduling tied to broader financial and supply chain processes.
• Infor Advanced Scheduling: Verticalized scheduling solutions with strong industry-specific functionality.
• Optessa: Focused on optimization-driven scheduling for high-complexity environments.

Open source alternatives to Preactor

• OptaPlanner: Open-source constraint solver from Red Hat that can be embedded to build custom scheduling solutions; suitable when you want to develop tailored APS capabilities.
• ERPNext: Open-source ERP with basic production scheduling and planning features useful for smaller manufacturers or as a foundation for custom development.
• Odoo (Community edition): Open-source ERP with manufacturing apps that include basic work order scheduling and routing; requires customization for advanced finite-capacity scheduling.
• Apache Airflow (with custom operators): Not a scheduler for production per se but can be used as part of a custom orchestration stack to coordinate data flows and integrate scheduling logic when paired with a solver like OptaPlanner.

Frequently asked questions about Preactor

What is Preactor used for?

Preactor is used for finite-capacity production scheduling and sequencing. Manufacturers use it to create executable shop-floor schedules that respect resource constraints, minimize changeovers, and improve on-time delivery. It bridges the gap between ERP planning and shop-floor execution by providing detailed, constraint-aware schedules.

Does Preactor integrate with ERP systems?

Yes, Preactor integrates with ERP and MES systems. Typical integrations include data synchronization for orders, inventory, and work orders using database links, API connectors, or middleware. Integrations ensure the schedule reflects current demand and material availability.

How much does Preactor cost per user or per site?

Preactor starts at approximately $500/month for small cloud subscriptions and license prices vary widely for on-premises deployments; enterprise implementations can cost $50,000+ including integration and services. Exact pricing is typically provided via a quote from the vendor or a certified partner.

Is there a free version of Preactor?

No, Preactor is not generally offered as a free product. Evaluators usually request demos, trials, or pilot projects through the vendor or reseller network to validate functionality with real production data.

Can Preactor handle multi-site scheduling?

Yes, Preactor can model multi-site and multi-plant environments. It supports centralized or distributed scheduling approaches and can synchronize schedules across facilities when properly integrated with enterprise systems.

What platforms and operating systems does Preactor run on?

Preactor runs on standard Windows server and client platforms for on-premises deployments. Cloud-hosted options are also available through partners; integration and database components typically run on common relational databases such as SQL Server.

Does Preactor provide optimization engines or only heuristics?

Preactor provides both rule-based heuristics and optimization modules. Depending on licensing, you can run automated optimization to achieve objectives like minimizing tardiness, reducing changeovers, or maximizing throughput, or use heuristics and custom dispatch rules for faster, more deterministic schedules.

How secure is Preactor for enterprise use?

Preactor can be deployed with enterprise security controls when properly configured. Security measures typically include encrypted communications, role-based access control, and integration with corporate authentication services; cloud-hosted deployments rely on the hosting provider's security practices and vendor-managed controls.

Can Preactor run what-if scenarios and simulations?

Yes, scenario simulation is a core Preactor capability. Planners can run alternate schedules in isolated environments to compare outcomes such as lead time, WIP, and on-time delivery before applying changes to the live schedule.

What training and support resources are available for Preactor?

Preactor and its partners provide training, documentation, and implementation support. Offerings typically include on-site or remote workshops, technical documentation, partner-led implementation services, and ongoing maintenance agreements for upgrades and support.

Preactor careers

Preactor-related career opportunities are often found at the vendor, at Siemens (for product lines under Siemens ownership), and at implementation partners and system integrators. Roles include solution architects, integration engineers, implementation consultants, and support specialists focused on APS and manufacturing IT.

Preactor affiliate

Preactor typically sells through a network of certified resellers and system integrators rather than a public affiliate program. If you are interested in partnership or referral opportunities, contact the vendor through the official site to inquire about partner programs and certification requirements.

Where to find Preactor reviews

Independent user reviews and case studies are available on manufacturing software review sites and industry forums. For vendor-supplied customer stories and technical references, view the Preactor product overview and case studies on the official site or request references through sales channels.