There's a lot of strategy that you can use for scheduling (including software or not), but here's the ideal situation:
1. You make a quote based on machine processes including "accurately predicted" setup and cycle times. That quote is saved as data that is retrievable.
2. If you receive the order, you press a button in the software to create and review the shop order/traveler that lists based on the quoted processes and times. Yes, there could have been a few erroneous process steps (wrong machine, too much/little time, etc.). That's why you need a smart person doing the quoting so that whoever does the scheduling isn't all pissed off and frustrated (ideally would be the same person but that's not easy if the shop gets big).
3. For scheduling, ideally it fits the order into "next in line" which can get complicated but it basically just adds the times onto each process for each machine after everything that's already there (you're balancing out the customer's desired leadtime with the current backlog). You can then see the "forecasts" for how much time you have at each work station and if there are any potential needs for overtime, etc. Then you can make adjustments by either a different process or having someone work overtime.
4. Something that can help all of the above is to be "lean", i.e. flow jobs through quickly and extra work is kept as a back-log and the next job is released after a job is completed, not a bunch of work-in-process on the shop floor which just creates a huge wave of confusion and leads to WIP tracking (having to scan at each work station to see where the job is at).
It can take a while to get there, including evaluating, buying, training and maximizing usage of a good ERP system (standard or custom) which many companies don't do very well at because they just listen to the sales guy and get a system that's just not used properly. Another side-effect is that Microsoft has made Excel so "capable" (in theory) that people treat it too much like database/software but that isn't really what it is. If you do this correctly, there's very little effort other than making the quote accurate based on the CAD files from the customer (which can be another semi-automated process).
There's a huge variety on this based on variance/qty of machines, processes, customers, complexity, etc. but you have to design a good system based on all of that. It can be challenging but one of the most rewarding strategies for your business.
Good luck!
The Dude