FEATURE MANUFACTURING SOFTWARE
ERP software cures seasonal colds for flue manufacturer
A family-owned manufacturer of commercial and domestic flue systems is expecting to significantly improve efficiency for more than 200 workers, and launch a new online ordering service, after investing in a fully integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution from K3 Syspro
M
idtherm Flue Systems, which is the only British-owned major producer
of flue systems, has invested in Syspro 7, complete with K3 Syspro’s own Equator HR application, shopfloor data collection, barcode scanning, and the Syspro Espresso mobile solution. Syspro 7 will replace an ageing accounting system and will eventually be rolled out across the entire family-owned Midtherm group, being implemented throughout multiple sites, across its flue, laser cutting, powder coating, catering equipment, and subcontract engineering businesses As a seasonal business, Midtherm experiences huge demand during winter months for its heating products. By utilising Syspro’s forecasting and warehousing modules, the company will be able to better prepare for peaks in demand, and sustain healthy order books all year round. Syspro’s automation functionality will reduce manual forecasting and stock management processes, saving the business up to 20 percent of each employee’s time a year for everybody working in the firm’s administration and office departments. This functionality will also enable Midtherm to launch online ordering, enabling it to respond more quickly to customers and provide real time updates on the progress of deliveries. Richard Andrews, director at Midtherm
Flue Systems, explains: “A key criteria during the selection process was reporting functionality, and Syspro provides this in abundance. By gaining greater visibility of information throughout the business, we can analyse spending trends, exercise greater stock and inventory control, and ensure that we are always in a position to respond quickly and efficiently to our customers, across the Midtherm group.
26 MAY 2015 | AUTOMATION
Midtherm expects the Syspro system to improve efficiency for more than 200 workers and also enable the business to launch a new online ordering service
“Many orders we receive are placed out-of-hours so by launching an online ordering system, we will be able to automate out-of-office ordering and make life easier, both for our customers, and for ourselves.” Another important part of the selection process was finding a scalable solution that would support company growth, and ensuring that any ERP partner would be available to support the business over a number of years to help Midtherm get the most out of its ERP investment. Andrews continues: “It is not uncommon to purchase software and then find that the business you have bought from has been acquired by a major investor and all of a sudden, you are dealing with completely different
people. K3 Syspro has a 30-year track record, so we are confident that we can build a long term relationship with their people, which isn’t likely to change or be disrupted. The communication we have with them has been excellent and we are confident that we have selected the right long term partner to aid our future business growth.” The Syspro 7 solution will be
implemented on premise and supported by Midtherm’s in house team. The company is expecting to go live with the new solution in its flue systems business by July 2015, before rolling it out across the entire group.
K3 Syspro
www.k3syspro.com
Enter 212 MES STREAMLINES PRODUCTION PROCESS
Aegis Software has recently supplied an integrated suite of FactoryLogix manufacturing operations software modules to EMS solution provider, Connor Solutions. Now one of the largest privately-held EMS providers in the UK and growing, the company offers bespoke services to both global enterprises and UK-based OEMs, spread over many market sectors. Connor’s advanced technology strategy will rely on Aegis to pull together and streamline the systems already in place, while adding powerful additional benefits for Connor and its customers. The suite, which comprises of NPI, Production/Quality, Integration and Analytics modules, is to play a key role in Connor’s planned growth. Craig Bryant, quality & engineering director at Connor Solutions comments: “Having reviewed many
systems and solutions we chose Aegis due to its compatibility with all of our current machine types within the factory and the technical support network available in the UK. This investment will provide a powerful platform for new product introduction, traceability, seamless integration to ERP, in-circuit test, functional test and key manufacturing processes enabling real time monitoring, automated analytics and reporting including first time pass rates and drill down hot spot defect analysis.” The FactoryLogix software will encompass the entire production area, which currently comprises of three
high technology Fuji NXT SMT lines, conventional through-hole facility, conformal coating area and final assembly logistics. All supported by in circuit testing, functional testing and automated inspection. Connor Solutions currently holds ISO 13485 Medical and AS9100 Aerospace as well as ISO 9001:2008
quality certifications, and is working towards ISO 14001 and full site ATEX approvals. As part of the new Aegis MES system integration all PCBs will be identified by laser-etched bar codes, so traceability across all lines becomes more efficient. This is particularly valuable as the company offers various levels of traceability, down to and including full aerospace component requirements. Aegis software will also facilitate more efficient route discipline for Connor. This has long been established within the company, but under Aegis setting up routes and then making changes is expected to become easier and faster. Discipline is imposed because no operation can begin until an operator has ‘signed off’ the previous process by scanning a barcode. Connor Solutions
www.connorsolutions.co.uk
Enter 220
/AUTOMATION
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52