Aachen-based software developer INFORM will present AI-powered solutions at HANNOVER MESSE 2026 to boost operational efficiency, with a focus on production planning in the mechanical and plant engineering sectors. The focus is on the Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) system FELIOS, which consolidates planning data from existing ERP systems, creates realistic schedules and capacity plans, and dynamically adjusts them in response to changes.

Reduce estimation errors by up to 42 percent

With FELIOS AI SupplyTimePrediction, INFORM is showcasing a new AI module that uses data to forecast lead times for purchased parts. In doing so, the software improves a planning parameter that is still stored statically in many ERP systems and is often not consistently maintained in day-to-day operations. The result is schedules that quickly fall out of sync, unnecessarily large buffers, and risks that often only become apparent once production has already been slowed down. FELIOS AI SupplyTimePrediction uses machine learning to analyze historical order and delivery data as well as other influencing factors.

Based on this, the solution also forecasts precise arrival dates for actual orders, for both unconfirmed and confirmed items. This reduces estimation errors by up to 42 percent and makes scheduling noticeably more robust.

Holistic planning across all areas

AI SupplyTimePrediction is embedded in the FELIOS APS system, which consolidates planning data from existing ERP systems and translates it into realistic schedule and capacity plans. To do this, the software links all planning-relevant information from production, purchasing, engineering, and sales. This creates a unified view of schedules, resources, and critical paths. The impact of changes caused by delivery deviations, outages, or priority shifts on subsequent orders becomes transparent. This allows for early identification of which adjustments are actually relevant and which measures stabilize on-time delivery without building up unnecessary buffers or inventory. In addition to traditional production and manufacturing planning, FELIOS includes dynamic shift and workforce scheduling, strategic capacity requirements planning, and project planning tailored to the needs of the machine and plant engineering industry.

Reliable Decisions in Everyday Operations

“With FELIOS, we create end-to-end planning that enables companies to act more quickly in their day-to-day business while simultaneously supporting the medium- and long-term allocation of resources and capacities,” says Stipo Nad, Head of Sales and Customer Management in the Production Excellence division at INFORM. “At HANNOVER MESSE, we’ll demonstrate how this translates into reliable decisions in everyday operations.”

Simple Planning Service for Smaller Assembly Operations

Another new feature is the Simple Planning Service, which is aimed at smaller assembly operations. In the event of short-term absences, priority changes, or rush orders, the service provides an updated planning proposal across all orders based on imported Excel or CSV data. At the same time, it makes transparent the consequences that rescheduling has on deadlines and downstream orders. This gives companies quick guidance without having to launch extensive integration projects first.

AI as a Decision-Making Aid on the Shop Floor

In addition to its regular trade show presence, INFORM is represented in the AI Experience Pavilion in Hall 27 in the “AI in Manufacturing” section. The pavilion focuses on practical AI applications and brings together decision-makers from production, IT, and research and development with solutions that create measurable added value in an industrial setting. INFORM is using the platform to demonstrate, through concrete use cases, how AI can be effectively deployed in production planning and where companies can achieve short-term results. Further insights will be provided by a technical presentation by Markus Günther, COO of Production Excellence at INFORM, on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 5:15 p.m. Under the title “From the Perfect Plan to Real-World Manufacturing: AI as a Decision-Making Aid on the Shop Floor,” he will demonstrate how AI bridges the gap between plan and reality on the shop floor and supports decision-making during ongoing operations.

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