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MineSched vs Caterpillar MineStar

MineSched logo

MineSched

Software

Production scheduling software for mining operations

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Caterpillar MineStar logo

Caterpillar MineStar

Software

Integrated technology for mining fleet management

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: MineSched 3ds.com's MineSched page describes the product's scheduling features in detail but publishes no pricing, no named edition or tier, and no figure of any kind; Caterpillar MineStar requires significant capital investment and integration with existing fleet infrastructure
  • They diverge on capability: MineSched covers Production scheduling, Caterpillar MineStar covers Fleet management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MineSched and Caterpillar MineStar actually diverge.

Attributes where MineSched and Caterpillar MineStar differ
AttributeMineSchedCaterpillar MineStar
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
PlatformsWindowsCloud-based, Remote operation stations
Founded19811925

Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in MineSched

  • Production scheduling
  • Activity sequencing
  • Resource planning
  • Constraint handling
  • Scenario analysis
  • Surpac
  • Whittle
  • PCBC

Only in Caterpillar MineStar

  • Fleet management
  • Real-time tracking
  • Terrain management
  • Equipment health monitoring
  • Autonomous haulage
  • Drill guidance
  • CAT Equipment
  • Third-party OEM

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

MineSched

  • Production planningnot Caterpillar MineStar
  • Resource schedulingnot Caterpillar MineStar
  • Equipment allocationnot Caterpillar MineStar
  • Capacity planningnot Caterpillar MineStar
  • Performance trackingnot Caterpillar MineStar

Caterpillar MineStar

  • Fleet optimizationnot MineSched
  • Autonomous operationsnot MineSched
  • Equipment monitoringnot MineSched
  • Production trackingnot MineSched

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

MineSched

  • 3ds.com's MineSched page describes the product's scheduling features in detail but publishes no pricing, no named edition or tier, and no figure of any kind

Caterpillar MineStar

  • Requires significant capital investment and integration with existing fleet infrastructure
  • Complex implementation requiring specialized training for operators and management personnel
  • Primarily designed for large-scale mining operations; less suitable for smaller mines

Pricing, plan by plan

MineSched

On request
  • MineSched Standard$12000/year
    • Production scheduling
    • Gantt charts
    • Resource allocation
  • MineSched Advanced$20000/year
    • Multi-scenario planning
    • Optimization tools
    • Advanced constraints

Caterpillar MineStar

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Caterpillar MineStar review.

Which should you pick?

Choose MineSched if

  • You need production scheduling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want activity sequencing.
MineSched review

Choose Caterpillar MineStar if

  • You need fleet management.
  • You work on Cloud-based, Remote operation stations.
  • You also want real-time tracking.
Caterpillar MineStar review

Questions people ask

Is MineSched or Caterpillar MineStar better?
Neither clearly leads. MineSched starts at On request and Caterpillar MineStar at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MineSched or Caterpillar MineStar?
MineSched starts at On request and Caterpillar MineStar at On request.
Does MineSched or Caterpillar MineStar run on more platforms?
MineSched runs on Windows. Caterpillar MineStar runs on Cloud-based, Remote operation stations.
What is MineSched best used for?
MineSched is most often used for production planning, resource scheduling, equipment allocation, capacity planning. Of those, production planning and resource scheduling are not what Caterpillar MineStar is typically brought in for.
What can MineSched do that Caterpillar MineStar cannot?
MineSched covers Production scheduling, Activity sequencing, Resource planning, Constraint handling. Caterpillar MineStar covers Fleet management, Real-time tracking, Terrain management, Equipment health monitoring.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Caterpillar MineStar: Does MineStar work with equipment from other manufacturers?

Yes. MineStar Solutions work with all types of assets and integrate with any brand of equipment, sharing data across existing machines, systems and technologies.

Source
Caterpillar MineStar: What are the main components of MineStar?

MineStar comprises five configurable features: Fleet for equipment tracking, Terrain for haul path optimization, Detection for safety monitoring, Health for equipment maintenance, and Command for autonomous operations.

Source
Caterpillar MineStar: Can MineStar be used for underground mining?

Yes. MineStar Solutions are available for both surface and underground mining operations, with dedicated technology offerings for underground safety and productivity.

Source
Caterpillar MineStar: Is MineStar a cloud-based or on-premises solution?

MineStar is a cloud-based, subscription-managed application that reduces costs of deployment, service, and training by allowing customers to select offerings by role, function, or task.

Source
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