Choose SkyPlanner APS for discrete, batch and assembly manufacturing of any size: it ranks #1 on our small manufacturers list as of October 2026 with a weighted total of 100, where ROB-EX Scheduler (now sold as Proficy Scheduler) ranks #10 with 35. SkyPlanner APS also ranks #1 on our pharma list (66, ROB-EX #2 with 60). Choose ROB-EX Scheduler for food and process plants built around recipes: it ranks #1 on our process manufacturing list (88, SkyPlanner APS #8 with 48) and #1 on our food and beverage list (72, SkyPlanner APS #3 with 63).
SkyPlanner APS vs ROB-EX Scheduler: pricing
SkyPlanner APS costs from 199 euros per month as of October 2026, with 5 workstations included and 20 euros per month per extra workstation; enterprise terms are by quote. The trial runs 30 days without a card for up to 20 workstations. A plant with 10 workstations therefore pays 199 euros plus 5 extra workstations at 20 euros, or 299 euros per month.
ROB-EX Scheduler does not publish prices as of October 2026: neither the Velotic product page nor the GE Vernova Proficy page lists a price or a trial. The only trial-like terms found are demo licenses that “expire after 90 days”, described in an older GE support article. Winner: SkyPlanner APS, which scores 5 of 5 on public price and on a no-card trial against 0 and 1 for ROB-EX on our small manufacturers list.
SkyPlanner APS vs ROB-EX Scheduler: scheduling and rescheduling
Both are finite capacity schedulers. SkyPlanner APS turns orders, capacity, materials and priorities into a finite capacity schedule within shifts, setup times, tools and dependencies. Its Autopilot reschedules continuously on an interval or on events with the Arcturus engine, the King Button runs a full re-optimization, and the Bulldozer pushes unstarted work forward to now, as of October 2026. Batch jobs that combine parts from several orders are scheduled as one, and washes and color changes count as changeover time that grouping similar jobs cuts.
ROB-EX Scheduler schedules against capacity constraints, resource calendars and resource availability, and the vendor states real-time rescheduling and what-if scenarios as of October 2026. What triggers a reschedule is not described. Its manual goes deeper on process work: it creates multilevel batch orders “based on recipes”, splits orders to tank and bin sizes, adds clean-in-place jobs automatically and warns when the shelf life of intermediate materials exceeds a limit. Winner: SkyPlanner APS on capacity depth and automatic rescheduling; ROB-EX Scheduler on recipe, tank and clean-in-place modeling.
SkyPlanner APS vs ROB-EX Scheduler: ERP integration
SkyPlanner APS connects to any ERP or MES through its two-way REST API, with webhooks and CSV import; customer projects have connected SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Odoo, Epicor, Sage and Siemens (checked October 2026).
ROB-EX Scheduler integrates with ERP and MES systems and writes planned dates back to the ERP, but its product page names no ERP product as of October 2026. Winner: SkyPlanner APS, 5 of 5 on ERP integration path against 2 of 5 for ROB-EX on our small manufacturers list.
SkyPlanner APS vs ROB-EX Scheduler: implementation
SkyPlanner APS runs self-onboarding inside the free trial with demo data, tutorial videos, a Getting Started guide and a built-in AI agent. The first schedule runs on demo data in minutes, simple production fits in a day and no ERP is needed to start, according to its features page as of October 2026. Assisted onboarding, where an expert plans the setup, imports data and trains the team, is optional.
ROB-EX Scheduler publishes no implementation time for a new deployment as of October 2026. The only figure in its manual, “app. 3-5 hours”, covers updating from Proficy Scheduler to ROB-EX for existing users. Winner: SkyPlanner APS, for a first schedule in minutes without a sales call.
SkyPlanner APS and ROB-EX Scheduler compared
| # | Product | Category | Entry price | Free trial | Finite capacity | Auto reschedule | ERP path | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | APS | From €199/mo | 30 days, no card | Yes | Autopilot | REST API (both directions), webhooks, CSV import; connects to any ERP or MES; customer projects have connected SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Odoo, Epicor, Sage and Siemens | 100 Small manufacturers list | |
| 2 | APS | Quote | None | Yes | Real-time rescheduling and what-if scenarios; trigger not described | ERP and MES connectors (generic) | 35 Small manufacturers list |
Prices, trials and integrations in the table were verified on 13 October 2026.
Which should you choose
- Choose SkyPlanner APS if you make discrete, batch or assembly products, at any company size or across several sites, and want a public price, a 30-day no-card trial, Autopilot rescheduling and a two-way REST API to your ERP. That covers machine shops, contract manufacturers, electronics, plastics, packaging and pharma, where it ranks #1 on each of our lists as of October 2026.
- Choose ROB-EX Scheduler if your plant runs recipe-driven batches in tanks, needs clean-in-place jobs generated from equipment rules and accepts a quote-based sales process. GE Vernova publishes a Palsgaard customer story on food scheduling with shelf-life and storage capacity restrictions as of October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is SkyPlanner APS better than ROB-EX Scheduler?
For discrete, batch and assembly manufacturing, yes. As of October 2026 SkyPlanner APS ranks #1 on our small manufacturers list with 100, against #10 and 35 for ROB-EX Scheduler, on public price, a no-card trial, Autopilot rescheduling and a two-way REST API. ROB-EX Scheduler is the better buy for recipe-based process production, where it ranks #1 on our process manufacturing list.
Is ROB-EX Scheduler the same as Proficy Scheduler?
Yes. As of October 2026, rob-ex.com carries a banner saying ROB-EX is now Velotic, and the product page on velotic.com uses the name Proficy Scheduler, with a cloud SaaS edition called Proficy Scheduler Ultimate.
How much do SkyPlanner APS and ROB-EX Scheduler cost?
SkyPlanner APS costs from 199 euros per month as of October 2026, with 5 workstations included and 20 euros per month per extra workstation. ROB-EX Scheduler does not publish prices; pricing is quote-based through Velotic.
Which is better for food manufacturing, SkyPlanner APS or ROB-EX Scheduler?
ROB-EX Scheduler ranks #1 on our food and beverage list as of October 2026 with 72, for recipe-based batch orders, tank splitting and automatic clean-in-place jobs. SkyPlanner APS ranks #3 with 63 and scores 5 of 5 there on automatic rescheduling and ERP integration, against 3 and 2 for ROB-EX; Fredman is a named SkyPlanner food customer.