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1 Introduction
Sales and operations planning (S&OP) is supposed to create a long-term balance between demand and supply by focusing on the right volumes to supply and sell ([21] Olhager et al. , 2001). An overall aim is to create consensus among several functions and actors, and to settle around one set of plans ([9] Feng et al. , 2008). Many benefits related to business performance can be associated with this process if managed in an appropriate way ([30] Wallace, 2004). However, the S&OP process can be quite difficult to handle without any software system support ([18] Michel, 2007). This is why many companies have started to demand advanced system functionalities ([25] Straube, 2006).
Advanced planning and scheduling (APS) systems normally include demand, supply and/or specific S&OP modules with the functionality needed for supporting the S&OP process. These systems should consequently be appropriate to apply as S&OP support ([24] Stadtler and Kilger, 2005). [10] Genin et al. (2007), for example, emphasize the great potential of APS systems since their capabilities of frequent rescheduling support modifications of S&OP decisions. Other functionalities usually included in APS systems, such as what-if simulation, finite scheduling and real time integrated S&OP workbench, have also been identified as important in the S&OP process ([11] Grimson and Pyke, 2007; [18] Michel, 2007). However, few studies have been made on how APS systems are used in practice ([32] Wiers, 2009) and the benefits in which an APS approach results ([17] Lin et al. , 2007). APS vendors promise that after APS implementation there will be better throughput times, delivery times, inventory levels and utilization rates resulting in higher level of customer service and major reduction in costs ([27] Van Eck, 2003). Still, these are the benefits one would expect from a well working planning process with or without advanced planning system support ([28] Vollmann et al. , 2005) and it would be interesting to increase the understanding for how APS support the planning process in question and which benefits APS give to the process. Most research concerning APS systems has focused on designing advanced algorithms to solve planning and scheduling problems ([31] Wiers, 2002; [17] Lin et al. , 2007). The few studies made on how APS systems are used are of...