A purchasing approach which provides suppliers with schedules rather than individual hard-copy purchase orders. Normally a supplier scheduling system will include a business agreement (contract) for each supplier, a daily or weekly schedule for each supplier extending for some time into the future, and individuals called supplier schedulers. Also required is a formal priority planning system that works very well, because it is essential in this arrangement to routinely provide the supplier with valid due dates. Some form of supplier scheduling is essential for just-in-time purchasing.
See: VENDOR SCHEDULING