In the current issue of Quality Insider, part of Quality Digest, leading manufacturing journalist TR Cutler profiles Trakware’s MES solution for the ETO sector.
Trakware Systems (www.trakware.com) is the worldwide leader in manufacturing execution system (MES) solutions for engineer-to-order (ETO) and project-based manufacturers maximizing both profitability and productivity. Trakware specializes in lean business-critical functions such as estimating, advanced scheduling, job costing, production management and labor as well as material shop floor data collection. TRAKware software fully integrates with existing ERP systems, as well as major software providers for financials, engineering design, optimization, payroll and wireless interaction for mobile workers.
Other demands, including compliance requirements, and internal and external collaboration are driving the need for data accessibility. “Data accessibility must include a common set of numbers, historical views, and improved analysis. Internal and external employees all require access to the same data. Flexibility in accessibility and speed to communicate easily is critical with multiple locations. Multiple locations, time zones, currencies, and languages are the norm for many complex manufacturers, placing additional communication challenges on the organization,†says Randy Richel, CEO and general manager of Trakware.
“These one-of-a-kind companies must innovate around new opportunities, rapidly getting to market, while at the same time ensuring product quality,†Richel adds. “This proves to be a challenge, as innovation by its very nature induces variability. Manufacturing execution systems (MES) provide a framework for enabling rapid change due to innovation, while at the same time managing risk, ensuring product quality, enforcing the adoption of new processes and maximizing production yields. Real-time parametric process and product analytical data must be used for continuous improvement of both product and process design.â€
Engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturing execution systems improve compliance by providing regulators with documented evidence of the manufacturer’s process understanding and control strategies. Integrated systems can improve business processes and facilitate robust design, operational excellence, manufacturing control, and quality management, including change and requirement management.
“It is important that these manufacturers find solutions that will streamline and improve collaboration between research and development, engineering, and manufacturing to improve the design for manufacturability and shorten time to market. Integration to the MES manufacturing database containing the ‘as built’ records is a necessary step to enable continuous improvement of both product and process design,†Richel notes.
The vast majority of companies rely on enterprise resource planning (ERP) and database-management capabilities to accomplish enterprise tasks today. Emerging technologies, such as next generation MES manufacturing intelligence, and business analytics are playing an increasingly important role. Because ETO manufacturers have always been slower adopters of new technology, it isn’t surprising that over the next three years project-based manufacturers will pursue rapid adoption of manufacturing intelligence solutions, business analytics, and real-time key performance indicators enabling continual improvement, and provide the fuel for future innovation.
Richel asserts that only with improved communication with suppliers, partners, customers, and employees can the business processes’ quality be optimized, leading to increased responsiveness that enables new levels of quantified quality metrics throughout the global enterprise.
Trakware recognizes ETO manufacturing as a process and includes a wide range of industry sectors including Architectural Woodworking, Cabinets, Store Fixtures, Doors and Windows, Furniture, Oil and Gas Fabrication, Solid Surface, Metal Fabrication, Yacht-building, and Custom Electronics.
TRAKware Systems Inc.
www.trakware.com
Randy Richel, CEO
800-370-1849
