Collaboration - Apriso

16
Collaborative Environments in
Manufacturing Operations
Apriso (www.apriso.com)
Apriso offers FlexNet software to provide global control of manufacturing and supply processes. FlexNet
uses an approach that is event-driven, real-time, and process-aware. By integrating into an existing
software infrastructure, Apriso can effectively extend the reach of an existing enterprise resource planning
(ERP) system to an extended production and supply network.
The FlexNet “enterprise execution” software builds on an integrated business process modelling capability
focused on supply chain execution. FlexNet Process Builder manages relationships between operations,
steps, work centres, machines, materials, tooling, documentation, operator skills and operator capacity to
define procedures and workflows. Production users, quality controllers, maintenance operators and
logistics users work according to this framework to synchronise execution and reporting of their work.
Critical events are signalled as FlexNet alerts which can trigger e-mail and SMS messages, and can be
handled by FlexNet applications. Appropriate information is stored for traceability, and used to drive
suitable ERP transactions.
Many production processes require several people, each with different rights and skills, to collaborate to
execute coordinated actions. Apriso use FlexNet’s process modelling to create a collaborative
environment, which not only maintains a shared model of operations executed by people with different
roles, but also automatically triggers selected tasks or processes when defined conditions occur. This
approach blends automation with collaboration between people to support, for example:
• Quality control, where automated sampling may lead to review by an operator with certified skills, and
approval by a superviser to initiate a machine adjustment;
• Automated signalling from a production line for material replenishment from a warehouse;
• Search for and identification of a particular resource or component;
• Prioritisation of selected activities, for example, final assembly, to match shippng plans;
Creation and maintenance of documentation required to satisfy relevant regulations.
•
FlexNet is fully Web-based using the Microsoft .NET Framework. FlexNet Alerts are communicated to
e-mail and other recipients using Microsoft Exchange Server. FlexNet uses the Microsoft SQL Server 2000
database, and integrates with ERP systems using Microsoft BizTalk Server. Documents and generated
reports can be stored and shared using Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server.
The FlexNet “enterprise execution” software
Distribution of tasks
and information
between employees
and managers
With company
business rules
and logic
LEADING EDGE COLL ABORATIVE ENVIRONMENTS IN DISCRETE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
Warehouse location Data
and Components
Material Identification Data
and Components
Quality Data and
Components
Production Data and
Components
Packaging Data and
Components
Time/Labour Data
and Components