SCHACHTBAU NORDHAUSEN plans production and space with DUALIS Software

A new dimension in multi-resource planning – Planning for limited space capacities

• Integrated planning: For the first time, production and space planning are systematically linked—replacing manual coordination.
• Proven in practice: Successfully deployed at SCHACHTBAU NORDHAUSEN, especially for large, space-intensive assemblies.
• Flexible space management: Load capacities, construction heights, and spatial constraints are visually considered and optimized.
• Greater planning reliability: Alternative scenarios can be simulated and evaluated with full transparency.

Dresden, 18 July 2025 – Until now, production planning and space allocation have typically been managed in separate systems. DUALIS GmbH IT Solution (www.dualis-it.de) now brings together the capabilities of its production planning software (GANTTPLAN) and space allocation tool (AREAPLAN). The integration of both systems opens up a new dimension in multi-resource planning: in addition to workstations, personnel, and tools, companies can now also plan against limited space capacities. The solution is already proving its value in practice at Schachtbau Nordhausen.

“In projects with industrial customers, it became increasingly clear that a production planning tool designed to manage limited capacities must also account for the available space and the constraints of an assembly hall,” explains Heike Wilson, Managing Director at DUALIS.

A proof of concept provided the decisive momentum for developing a comprehensive solution tailored to real-world production environments. The PoC project at SCHACHTBAU NORDHAUSEN GmbH—a leading company in plant, mining, mechanical, and steel engineering—clearly demonstrated the advantages of an integrated approach.

SCHACHTBAU NORDHAUSEN designs and manufactures large steel assemblies, including components for bridge construction. These assemblies require significant space and time, and are further complicated by the limited load capacities of overhead cranes. For production planners, it is therefore essential to accurately track the progress of component manufacturing over time.

DUALIS took on the challenge of translating the processes involved in turning, storing, and welding these assemblies into a proven solution using a demonstration model. The pilot project showed how production and spatial constraints can be efficiently managed by linking the APS GANTTPLAN with the space management tool AREAPLAN.

From bottleneck to smart space utilization

Before the solution was implemented, assembly and production planning at SCHACHTBAU NORDHAUSEN relied on separate systems and manual coordination—often leading to inefficiencies and planning bottlenecks. Large assemblies blocked space for weeks, and limited load capacities and construction heights made coordination especially complex.

Resource planning meets space management

While GANTTPLAN optimizes production resources such as machines, personnel, and tools, AREAPLAN’s 3D space planner supports cross-plant planning of assembly areas. Thanks to a clear division of tasks, both systems can fully leverage their strengths.

Planning takes place in two stages: First, GANTTPLAN generates an initial plan based on production capacity, assembly data, and scheduling requirements. This plan is transferred to AREAPLAN via a database interface. AREAPLAN then visually checks and fine-tunes the space allocation, taking into account construction heights, load capacities, and specific spatial constraints. Space and time assignments can be flexibly adjusted, and different scenarios visualized. The finalized production plan is then sent back to the APS for approval. The guiding principle for assembly planning is: GANTTPLAN leads, AREAPLAN supports.

A new standard in multi-resource planning

The DUALIS solution is particularly well-suited for companies in plant, machinery, and steel construction that assemble complex components based on the construction site principle. Logistics companies can also benefit from this end-to-end planning approach, as resources and space are closely coordinated. The interface between the two systems has been available since mid-2024 and ensures seamless data exchange. With the integration of GANTTPLAN and AREAPLAN, DUALIS is setting a new benchmark in multi-resource planning.

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