Page 13 - Metalorming Magazine January/February 2023

Software for Manufacturing
Smart-Factory Suite Provides Machine Monitoring and Planning
InFocus Scheduling from R.E.R. Soft- ware, Inc. offers computer-aided scheduling for all shop machine assets—for tool-build machining and other manufacturing processes—through its AutoTrack, AutoPlan and Smart Alert capabilities. Employ InFo- cus as a standalone system for shop machines, or tie it into your operation’s MES/ERP systems.
Use the AutoTrack machine-monitoring platform (screenshot pictured) to track every machine and an unlimited number of data points in real time, and study his- torical information via the platform’s dynamic reporting functionality. Its auto- mated job-tracking and operations-analysis component allows for visibility into job
processing durations, job costing, tool-usage analysis, maintenance and machining methods, and more.
AutoPlan allows users to
align jobs and understand
when a project will be ready
for each department while
ensuring the correct order of work to meet job due dates. This platform performs these duties while ensuring that machine resources do not remain idle. For example, its process-flow functions include display color coordination to show the overall status of all tasks visually—completed, started, late, etc. Its simple-to-use interface enables mouse click/drag, zoom in/out,
delete, re-link and creation of tasks to adjust the expected flow of each job.
And, SmartAlert, a dynamic notification system, provides notifications via email or text tailored to individual requirements while providing the backbone of predictive maintenance in the InFocus smart-factory suite.
R.E.R. Software, Inc.: www.rersoftware.com
Quick-Setup, Simple-To-Use MES
Michigan-based Steelhead Technologies has developed a customizable, cloud-based manufacturing execution sys- tem (MES), pur- pose-built for manufacturing operations and designed to drive data-based management. The software, an all-in-one dashboard, allows employees to access targeted information applicable
to their responsibilities.
The quick-setup software delivers the ability to digitize
and streamline every step of the manufacturing process. It allows users to send quotes, add work orders, include product recipes, track movement of parts, send packing slips and invoices, train operators, automatically generate reports, and reprioritize jobs all with the tap of a finger, according to company officials.
With Steelhead’s help, set up this customized MES within a few weeks without the need for a full-blown enterprise resource planning backbone or the need to change current business operations. The software offers automated estimating; real-time production instructions and machine/plant-wide schedules; capacity planning; inventory; purchasing; shipping; invoicing; and more. And, use Steelhead for reporting and analytics.
Steelhead Technologies: www.gosteelhead.com
ECI Software Solutions Introduces ITAR Solution for M1 Customers
To help manufacturers maintain compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), ECI Software Solutions, a provider of cloud-based business-management software, has released M1 ITAR, a cloud-based ERP platform for manufacturers who serve the U.S. gov- ernment’s aerospace and defense needs. Leveraging Microsoft Azure for U.S. Government and AWS GovCloud (U.S.), M1 ITAR helps manu- facturers grow their business capabilities and maintain data in a secure cloud environment.
Manufacturers producing items enumerated on the United States Munition List must have the tools necessary to build and maintain relationships with these defense organizations while ensuring that they offer secure and compliant services. With ECI’s M1 ITAR solution, manufacturers can do all of this in one cloud-enabled platform. M1’s new ITAR solution, company officials say, will help avoid potentially costly and disruptive compliance failures. ECI also will offer services to help mitigate compliance concerns with products, data and support. Current M1 users who operate on-premise easily can transfer their data to Microsoft Azure for U.S. Government and AWS GovCloud (U.S.) to this new secure platform.
“Our manufacturing solutions span many industries, including aerospace and defense, so it's important that we continue to offer customers the tools necessary to operate and grow within the parameters of their industry,” says Matt Heerey, president of the ECI Manufacturing Division. “Being able to maintain ITAR compliance within their ERP system will help manufacturers focus on delivering the best products and services.”
ECI: www.ecisolutions.com
10 MetalForming/January/February 2023
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