Global SMT & Packaging Magazine Spotlights Optimal Electronics’ Approach for Effectively Integrating MES Capabilities with ERP/MRP Systems
AUSTIN, TEXAS – October 24, 2011 – Optimal Electronics, a global provider of innovative software solutions for the control and optimization of the electronics assembly process, announced today that Global SMT & Packaging Magazine recently featured the company’s approach for enabling manufacturers to effectively integrate manufacturing execution system (MES) capabilities with existing ERP and MRP systems. The magazine article, featured in the September 2011 edition, highlighted how MES solutions enable electronics manufacturers to increase their return on ERP/MRP investments by augmenting these systems with the accurate, real-time, plant level information and control that an MES provides.
In today’s electronics assembly environment, plant managers are being challenged to find new and better ways to meet changing production demands and schedules, automate manual processes, reduce overhead costs, optimize production throughput, and achieve new efficiencies that ultimately lead to greater profitability. This requires new technologies, tools and processes that can deliver capabilities for production improvement, materials management, traceability, process enforcement and quality management. A comprehensive, integrated approach is crucial for providing real-time visibility and effective utilization of shop floor data for better planning, decision-making and execution across every aspect of the production process.
As spotlighted in the Global SMT & Packaging article, companies need to augment ERP/MRP systems with the specialized functionality that only an MES can provide. While both MES and ERP/MRP systems can provide a view into what is happening within the specific aspects of the business, ERP/MRP systems can only provide a snapshot. An MES delivers real-time visibility into shop floor operations, so that manufacturers can respond – and monitor the immediate results that occur from adjustments. MES systems can feed accurate, timely information in the ERP/MRP system, such as production levels, work-in-process status, and part and serial numbers for tracking purposes. For example, using industry-standard database protocols, an MES can provide effective synchronization with MRP/ERP systems by importing and exporting such information as inventory and BoM data, storage locations, customer and work order data, finished goods inventory, usage and scrap reporting.
These integrated capabilities are especially valuable in today’s competitive environment, where the marketplace demands faster and leaner manufacturing response times – and where visibility into the plant floor system is increasingly important for responding to customer questions regarding delivery times and parameters. As a result, the return on an ERP/MRP investment can be significantly increased by integrating it with the accurate, real-time, plant level information that an MES provides.
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"We evaluated all of the industry leading software solutions during our search for a new tool to manage our PCB assembly process. Optel was the only software capable of successfully modeling our production processes and practices (group setups, data management of multiple machines, etc.) utlizing legacy data and actually producing boards during our trials. Optimal Electronics continues to impress us with their abilities to deliver innovative new features and provide outstanding technical support."
Suresh Sundarababu
Process & Product Engineering Manager
National Instruments, Austin