Filter on capacities - load only the data you really need

To keep your simulations efficient and relevant, you can apply data filters that ensure only the information you actually need is loaded. For example, if you're only responsible for a specific department, there’s no need to load data from other areas, such as subcontractors you don’t interact with.

These data filters are applied at the Dynamics 365 Business Central level, meaning the filtering happens before the data even enters the Visual Advanced Production Scheduler (VAPS). This significantly improves performance and clarity by reducing unnecessary complexity.

For more information on creating and editing filters, read this article.

A Practical Example

Let’s assume your overall production plan includes a capacity called "Subcontractors." However, in your day-to-day planning, subcontracted operations are irrelevant to you. In this case, it makes perfect sense to create a filter that excludes this capacity, such as a filter called "No Subcontractors" with settings that omit this capacity from the simulation.

What Happens When You Filter Capacities

• Only production order lines associated with the selected capacities (as defined in the routing) will be loaded.

• Production order lines with no relevant operations (i.e., all operations are filtered out) will not be loaded at all.

• Partially filtered production orders will still appear, but with some visual cues:

  • Operations filtered out due to excluded capacities are not shown.

  • Operations that remain but depend on filtered ones appear in a paler color and cannot be moved.

  • These are treated as "pinned with blocked capacity."

  • Links between operations may appear broken or interrupted due to the missing steps.

Visual Indicator

Once you open a simulation using your newly defined filter (e.g., "No Subcontractors"), you’ll notice:

• Some operations are shown in a lighter tone.

• Some operation links appear incomplete or cut off.

This pale coloring is a visual indicator that:

• The operation is not fully schedulable.

• It is effectively pinned because a required capacity is missing from the simulation.

By filtering capacities, you can streamline your view and work only with what’s relevant, making scheduling faster, clearer, and more efficient.