This may or may not be critical to the product quality itself, but it is definitely detrimental to accurate stock management. In parallel, if a particular batch is spoilt through inaccurate additions, there may be no mechanism for bringing this to the attention of the ERP system. The first time management may be aware of these 'target excursions' is when stock checks are done and the inevitable stock inconsistencies come to light. By then it's usually too late to carry out any meaningful analysis to find out what went wrong and the 'unaccountable losses' become 'expensive reality'.
SG Systems have recognised this shortcoming and their ‘Vantage’ software suite, in conjunction with their Stainless Steel workstations, already has a proven track record in bridging the gap between the factory floor and ERP. Acting as a thin client server to programs such as SAP, their solution brings a measure - control - improve ethos to the overall process- from goods-in to product despatch. ‘Vantage’ is the result of extensive research together with many years of practical experience and as SG Ssytems General Manager explains: "In many applications we investigate, it is as though there is a thick fog permeating across the factory floor keeping critical data away from the ERP system.
Unfortunately, most ERP vendors don't fully appreciate or understand the practical issues of key processes such as weighing, especially in fast moving processing environments. Of all measured parameters on the factory floor, weighing provides the most useful and crucial data throughout the process. and yet in practice we find it is significantly under-utilised. Real time data is essential and ‘Vantage’ ensures such data is instantly available to the ERP system so that it can react to actual information rather than targets. ‘Vantage’ brings true integration that continually fine tunes operational equipment efficiency. The 'improve' factor in ‘Vantage’ allows processes to be optimised exactly where and when it's needed, making full use of dynamic data. This approach is highly effective in improving productivity, optimising raw material usage and minimising wastage - all important, if not obvious, factors in ensuring ongoing profitability and, above all, customer satisfaction. Traceability in line with legislation is an integral part of the ‘Vantage’ concept."
