|
 |
|
|
 |
|
»FlexGen 4 AE Summary -
The Challenge, the Software
and the Benefits
|
|
The Manufacturing Enterprise - Challenges and Opportunities In the world of manufacturing, being agile in thought and process is vital. Given the pace of mergers and acquisitions, new government regulations, foreign competition and heightened customer expectations means your manufacturing enterprise must be responsive to changing demands in all their forms. It means you must coordinate, integrate and optimize the activities of all your users, trading partners and customers spread across your business in an atmosphere of constant change and evolution. To help you identify and successfully meet these business challenges, exploit new market opportunities and effectively adapt to change, you need Software 21's FlexGen 4 - Adaptive Enterprise (FlexGen 4 - AE) solution.
FlexGen 4 - Adaptive Enterprise: Its Value
FlexGen 4 - AE serves many compelling business needs. A primary need is to organize a complex manufacturing enterprise around a common set of business values, goals and objectives. Then, to help meet those goals and objectives through the efficient deployment of business processes built on relevant and reliable data that enables a company to make informed business decisions quickly and become adaptive. This is what FlexGen 4 - AE is designed to do. This is where its value and purpose lies. It is not a question of what FlexGen 4 - AE is, rather what it enables your manufacturing enterprise to do better through operational visibility and responsiveness.
FlexGen 4 - Adaptive Enterprise: The Software
Software must be viewed as a tool, a means to an end. Its business value is determined by how it enhances what you do, how you do it and to what extent you optimize your overall performance. FlexGen 4 - AE consists of seven fully integrated systems designed to enhance all the business processes and operating procedures of your manufacturing company. It integrates all of your employees, trading partners and customers through one consistent, configurable and scalable set of application services created to optimize decision making and business performance. Its architecture is built to deliver the most effective Decision Support Services available to ensure that managers have timely, accurate and actionable information to make the best business decisions possible.
FlexGen 4 – Adaptive Enterprise: The Results
The business impact and results of using FlexGen 4 - AE are persuasive. Successfully implemented, it reduces time-to-market for new products and services. It also enables a level of customer service, support and experience key to long-term customer satisfaction and retention. The configurable factory and outsource management capabilities of FlexGen 4 - AE allow for maximum flexibility and independence to organize production and delivery in its most efficient and cost-effective deployment. Cost control and supply chain efficiency are driven through business processes that deliver maximum return on investment and productivity. FlexGen 4 - AE is defined by business performance and measurable results, and ultimately its ability to help our customers achieve competitive advantage.
Technology, Platforms, Tools and Web Services
Software 21 has selected very specific best-of-breed software tools and platform components to build and support FlexGen 4 - AE's application services. Microsoft and IBM provide the primary building blocks, including Microsoft Windows 2003 Operating System and .Net for creating and deploying all new web services and related applications. Microsoft SQL Server 2003 and Access are deployed to meet many of FlexGen 4 - AE's database requirements. IBM supplies selected development tools, including System Builder for rapid application development and U2 for efficient database management. All of the enabling software products are chosen to satisfy specific technical objectives, providing seamless integration, cost-effectiveness and highly reliable application services to our customers.
Software 21 - A Systems Integration Philosophy That Delivers:
For enterprise level computing to succeed in manufacturing, there can be no islands of information unavailable to the business. All of the enterprise components involved must interact seamlessly, removing barriers or obstacles to information flow. Software 21 brings a holistic and integrative approach to implementing FlexGen 4 - AE, focusing on delivering software, people, business process, hardware and automated data collection technology in one seamless and cost-effective enterprise solution. As an enterprise partner, Software 21 assumes responsibility in guaranteeing that FlexGen 4 - AE and all of its components can deliver on the promise of achieving competitive advantage and unprecedented business results.
|
Enterprise
Resource Planning includes the following
features:
|
 |
Enterprise Planning and Scheduling
The ability to focus the Adaptive Enterprise on achieving its business strategies and objectives, requires that its product Planning and Scheduling be fully aligned with the company's resources and capabilities. FlexGen 4 - EPS provides all the application services needed to effectively manage the Master Schedule, Product Design, Material Requirements Planning and Project Administration in the most complete and cost-effective method possible. Efficient utilization of all enterprise resources with advanced forecasting and demand driven manufacturing are keys to achieving competitive advantage and sustained profitability.
|
|
Advanced
Production Management
Once the Production Plan is developed, FlexGen 4 – APM presents a
comprehensive suite of applications designed to allow Production Control
to analyze and adjust available capacity and schedules to maximize product
throughput. A full Shop Floor Control environment is available for the
company requiring work cell visibility, including detailed online routings,
inspection, testing and up to the minute work order status. Additional
production configurations include KanBan and non-work order based processes,
in full support of alternative manufacturing procedures. FlexGen 4 - APM
also integrates seamlessly with automated data collection to keep production
control fully informed about schedules, bottlenecks or issues arising out
of the manufacturing process.
|
|
Enterprise Distribution
and Logistics
From managing Lot and Serial Number traceability to the on-time delivery
of materials and supplies to the factory floor, all aspects of the distribution
system must work in concert. FlexGen 4 – EDL supports all the procedures
needed to control inventory stocking levels and locations, Quality Assurance
compliance and handling procedures, in addition to providing bar coded
shipping and receiving transactions for speed and accuracy. Process efficiency
is further enhanced through FlexGen 4 – EDL’s new web service
applications, which provide customers and suppliers with a real-time view
of activities over the web.
|
|
Accounting and Financial
Analysis
Every successful manufacturing company has a strategic need for accurate,
timely and easily interpreted financial information to run the enterprise.
FlexGen 4 - AFA offers a full complement of accounting applications that
are fully integrated with other systems within FlexGen 4 - AE, completely
eliminating redundancy and batch mode accounting. FlexGen 4 - AFA also
offers Microsoft's FRx Financial Analytics suite to further enhance management’s
ability to critically evaluate the financial position of the company and
recommend corrective actions when appropriate.
|
|
Decision Support Services
One of the primary benefits to successfully implementing FlexGen 4 - AE is
derived through the immediate access to clear, accurate and comprehensive
enterprise-wide information that it provides. FlexGen 4 - DSS offers a
variety of application services that allow access to financial performance
and trends, supply chain compliance and efficiency, plus a comprehensive
set of metrics that measure customer participation, satisfaction and retention.
The Adaptive Enterprise benefits from a wealth of actionable data which
extends strategic views into all corners of the enterprise for review and
analysis, resulting in challenges being met and opportunities being won.
|
Long-term customer relationships are built
on consistent product quality and delivery,
providing a positive customer experience
every time and listening carefully to
what the customer tells you they need
and how your company may be of service.
The manufacturing company that nurtures
a customer centric culture and strategy
will always be early to act on new opportunities
and benefit from this competitive advantage.
FlexGen 4 - CRM provides the application
services needed to establish and manage
the early prospect relationship through
to customer conversion, service and long-term
customer retention. Customers today have
many options where to spend their dollars.
FlexGen 4 – CRM is designed to make
sure your customer commitments are met
and that customer expectations are fully
satisfied - every time.
Customer Relationship
Management includes the following features:
|
 |
Prospect
Management
At the earliest point of contact with a
new potential customer, FlexGen 4 - CRM
helps guide the introduction and information
processing. Prospects typically are looking
for product information, local points of
contact or product availability and pricing.
The first interactions need to be informative,
deliver on the company brand and result
in a positive experience. Managing prospects
for on-going follow up and continued development
is key to building solid revenue growth
over time.
|
|
Customer
Management
Being able to identify, then meet each customer’s
unique needs and requirements is an attribute
all successful manufacturing companies display.
FlexGen 4 - CRM provides the tools needed
to capture customer information about products
they buy, what preferences they have and
what future buying plans and expectations
they possess. FlexGen 4's new web services
also provide customers direct access to
their open order, shipping, billing and
AR information to better serve their real-time
needs.
|
|
Estimating
and Quoting
For selected manufacturing environments,
including Job Shops, Capital Equipment and
Highly Engineered products to name a few,
they require applications to develop detailed
cost estimates (Estimating), coupled with
the resulting customer quote (Quoting),
for the purpose of determining price and
delivery. Digital transformation of the
formal quote document in either electronic
or .PDF format assures immediate delivery
to the customer upon completion.
|
|
Customer
Call Center
To assure that each customer request for information, product or service
is responded to promptly and administered easily requires collaboration and
the right application services. FlexGen 4 - CRM provides the focal point
through its Customer Call Center to manage and coordinate customer contacts
and communications. Prospect and customer inquiries for technical assistance,
billing issues or product delivery, can all be monitored through a single
point of contact, assuring a consistent and quality customer experience every
time.
|
|
Sales
Order Management
FlexGen 4 - CRM supports a comprehensive
sales order processing service to assure
that each customer order received is transacted
promptly, accurately and easily. Sales Order
Management is fully integrated throughout
FlexGen 4 - providing on-line credit verification,
product availability, pricing confirmation
and scheduling administration to guarantee
on-time delivery to the customer. FlexGen
4's web connection to UPS and FedEx also
provides instant e-mail notification to
the customer when shipping is complete,
including tracking numbers from the carrier.
|
|
Avalara
Portal
FlexGen 4 - CRM provides a comprehensive package of forms,
predesigned and ready for customization including Order
Acknowledgements, Bar Coded shipping documents, Pack slips, Customs documents and Commercial Invoices among others.
All forms have the capability of being printed or e-mailed with
direct import of e-mail addresses automatically. PDF's are an
option to direct immediate delivery of all CRM forms on a real
time basis. Electronic access to documents is always secure,
including a detailed audit report of documents created, by whom,
and where delivered for ease of administration and control. |
|
Complimentary
Product Matrix
FlexGen 4 - CRM allows your sales administration
process to identify complementary or up-sell
opportunities as an integral part of the
typical sales cycle. Many items represent
the primary buy opportunity, such as a Dell
laptop computer for example. The complementary
up-sell opportunity can be seen in items
such as spare batteries, travel cases, additional
software and service contracts. FlexGen
4 - CRM provides the tools and administration
facilities to create the product relationships
coupled with the delivery mechanism at the
point of sale.
|
|
Channel
Analysis and Commissions
Effectively managing your distribution channel
requires tools which allow you to closely
monitor selling activities and performance
against the company's sales objectives.
FlexGen 4 -CRM handles all of your commission
tracking and calculations, revenue recognition,
territory performance and seamlessly integrates
with accounts payable for compensation disbursements.
FlexGen 4 - CRM provides the visibility
needed to keep your sales channel informed,
serviced and operating at optimum level.
|
|
Selling
Price Administration
The administration of selling price, gross
margin analysis and market sensitivity to
price changes can be a complex task. FlexGen
4 - CRM can streamline and automate many
aspects of the typical sales price administration
process. Built on user-defined formulas,
multiple cost basis, unlimited mark-up categories
and resulting Pricing Formulas, sales administration
is assured to maximize the profit contributions
of everything your enterprise sells.
|
|
Post
Sales Management
To assure long-term customer relationships,
FlexGen 4 - CRM features an array of service
applications needed to manage your company’s
key after-sale activities. These include
a complete Returned Material Authorization
(RMA) process which allows the receipt,
disposition or rework of any item sent back
for service or credit adjustment. FlexGen
4 - CRM provides on-line field service and
warranty/contract information to guarantee
that customers receive prompt service and
product support when they require it. Attending
to product or service deficiencies on a
real-time basis, demonstrating a customer
first attitude, is a hallmark of a customer
focused enterprise.
|
|
Return
Material Authorization
Return Material Authorization - ( RMA's ) available in FlexGen 4
CRM, assures that every item returned to your company for
service, repair or exchange is properly tracked and accounted
for. Once an RMA number is assigned, every step involved in
the rework process or exchange is electronically documented
and tracked including customer, parts, dates, issues and upgrade
procedures when required. When design or engineering
problems are discovered, they are automatically fed to Quality
and management for tracking and accountability. When items
are under warranty or require billing for services performed,
a comprehensive warranty / billing management system is
available.
|
|
Quality
Assurance
The role of Quality Assurance is to
set the manufacturing and supply chain
standards for performance necessary
to achieve 100% quality in parts and
services. QA takes an active role in
developing all test and evaluation
procedures used to transact and disposition
all incoming materials through the
company's supply chain. With FlexGen
4 - APM the production control process
can be scrutinized and tested for quality
compliance as well, assuring that any
production shortcomings are identified
in real-time and before the cost of
quality escalates.
|
|
Electronic
Forms
FlexGen 4 - CRM provides a comprehensive package of forms,
predesigned and ready for customization including Order
Acknowledgements, Bar Coded shipping documents, Pack slips,
Customs documents and Commercial Invoices among others.
All forms have the capability of being printed or e-mailed with
direct import of e-mail addresses automatically. PDF's are an
option to direct immediate delivery of all CRM forms on a real
time basis. Electronic access to documents is always secure,
including a detailed audit report of documents created, by whom,
and where delivered for ease of administration and control. |
|
Accounts
Receivable
FlexGen 4 - AFA provides a complete Accounts Receivable management process
designed to streamline the billing cycle, optimize cash receipts and collections
and to assure customer experiences are positive. Cash flow simulations and
account reconciliations tie into an integrated Cash Management system which
looks at all sourcing and uses of cash for the company.
|
|
Decision
Support Services - CRM
Tracking all the enterprise data supporting the effective management of the sales process is mandatory. Analyzing sales
trends, customer satisfaction, returns and allowances,
profitability and future sales is necessary information to
optimize the sales process and revenue contribution.
FlexGen 4 - CRM offers a suite of management tools designed
to aid Sales and Marketing in the effort to maximize sales
revenue, manage new product introductions and measure the
effectiveness of new marketing campaigns. With timely and
accurate management data available, management will dev-
elop the right sales strategies and make the best decisions
possible for the customer. |
|
Customer Service Web Portal
FlexGen 4 - CRM provides a unique Web Portal environment
designed to give your customers web available information
concerning their shipments, products, invoices and customer services. With a secure PIN and Logon, your customers will
have up to the minute information to track their orders on-line
whenever they choose. Billing and Cash management is more
efficient and profitable when customers can resolve questions
and issues on line including order confirmations, tracking
all shipments with accompanying on-line invoices, immediately
available.
|
The management functions behind Enterprise
Planning and Scheduling still constitute
the backbone of the modern day manufacturing
company. What has changed dramatically
is where products get manufactured, how
outsourcing is affecting the mix and the
speed by which products move from concept
to market. FlexGen 4 - EPS supports the
complex requirements for Master Scheduling
and Demand driven Manufacturing, Quality
Assurance and Customer Service. It assures
that the overall business goals and objectives
are met consistently and on a timely and
profitable basis.
Enterprise
Planning & Scheduling includes the
following features:
|
|
Master
Production Scheduling
Managing the constantly changing Demand
Profile of any manufacturing enterprise
can be a complex and challenging task. FlexGen
4 - EPS allows the Forecast, Master Production
Schedule and Sales Order transactions to
be simulated on a real-time basis in search
of the optimum build plan. This maximizes
the value of the production plan and assure
that what the market demands is in fact
what the market receives.
|
|
Product
Data Management
A key element to effective planning is the
need for detailed and accurate part information,
Bills-of-Materials (BOM) and fully integrated
Engineering Change Control. With FlexGen
4 – EPS, various departments are allowed
to maintain their unique data parameters,
including design, production, costing and
quality. Additionally, complete Where Used
and BOM simulation tools aid in the rapid
development and administration of assemblies
and finished goods.
|
|
Materials
Requirements Planning
For the material intensive enterprise, Material
Requirements Planning (MRP) is a powerful
and cost effective process used to optimize
the materials plan. Based on the Demand
Profile (MPS) and the prevailing materials
availability, MRP can calculate the most
accurate and cost controlled plan for execution
with digital distribution to the supply
chain for fulfillment.
|
|
Project
Administration
Project Administration is a versatile set
of application services provided by FlexGen
4 - EPS, which are available to establish
Non-Production tasks such as Research and
Development projects, Marketing Campaigns,
Facilities Expansion or miscellaneous engineering
projects. Just like the typical production
order, Projects can be set up with complete
budgeting facilities, cost accruals and
depreciation and schedule tracking, including
year over year accountability.
|
Supply Chain Management has evolved into
one of the key strategic operations within
every successful manufacturing company
today. Establishing strong and effective
supplier relationships to deliver quality
products on time at the right price has
a direct impact on sustaining profitable
and consistent performance. FlexGen 4
– SCM provides the application services
used to establish suppliers, monitor their
performance, execute the buy plan and
assure that the enterprise is receiving
full value and fulfillment from its supply
chain.
Supply
Chain Management includes the following
features:
|
|
Procurement
Planning & Scheduling
The foundation of a solid Supply Chain Management system is
based on an accurate and efficient Planning and Execution
capability to support materials procurement. Fed through the
FlexGen 4 - ERP system, a comprehensive and time phased
materials plan is electronically delivered to your procurement
group charged with managing suppliers and executing the
delivery schedule. Many automated planning and monitoring
tools are available to track supplier performance and delivery
including quality assessment and budget control. FlexGen 4 -
SCM also provides complete outplant tracking of services and
parts through local suppliers and foreign. |
|
Electronic
Requisitions
Apart from the formal Materials Plan, FlexGen 4 - SCM offers
electronic requisitions to manage miscellaneous purchases.
Buyer requisitions can be reviewed and approved on-line
by management and include procurement limits, supplier
recommendations and tracking through to delivery, easing
the administrative effort required. Full financial reporting and
control is automatically built into each requisition assuring
accurate and timely accounting of each transaction. |
|
Request
for Quote
A key function of your procurement group is the effective
management of price negotiations and delivery across
the entire supply chain. FlexGen 4 - SCM streamlines this
process through a web portal uniquely designed to feed
suppliers with future parts planning and scheduling requirements to quote pricing and delivery. By entering sourcing
information on-line, suppliers can provide real-time information to procurement which results in effective cost control
and supplier performance. Importantly, changes to the
procurement plan can be announced electronically, keeping
the supply chain fully informed at all times. |
|
Supplier
Call Center
The typical Supply Chain Management process is dynamic,
ever changing and a challenge to administrate. FlexGen 4 -SCM
provides a set of applications tools through its Supplier Call
Center environment used to track conversations, commitments,
schedule changes and follow up. With on-line tools to manage
and review all transactions across the supply chain, execution
and performance becomes the norm. Electronic communications
with suppliers, coupled with call management, assures that your
procurement process will be optimized. |
|
Procurement
and Contract Administration
With FlexGen 4 - SCM, Procurement and Contract negotiations are where the
Materials Plan is put into action. Based on the time phased material requirements
generated, purchasing is able to establish the complete materials acquisition
process for components, sub-assemblies and services sourced through the supply
chain. Suppliers are constantly monitored and evaluated based on fulfillment,
quality and on-time delivery. |
|
Supplier
Corrective Action
For suppliers involved in providing highly technical or sophisticated parts and services, a management process is required
to control non conforming or out of conformance materials.
FlexGen 4 - SCM provides the applications needed to manage
any item that needs corrective action to fix, replace or substitute
new parts when quality standards or specifications are not
met by the supplier. Electronic review and approval of all
corrrective actions keeps management and individual suppliers
in sync with pending resolutions and scheduling disruptions
when they occur. Quality also collects corrective action
information to include in the performance assesment of
individual suppliers. |
|
Supplier
Relationship Management
Supplier Relationship Management allows you to keep focused on the Supplier
component of the supply chain. As companies continue to scale back the number
of key suppliers they rely upon, the ability to monitor, collaborate and
measure their on-going performance becomes critical. FlexGen 4 - SCM allows
you to establish formal review and auditing procedures for each supplier
assuring open communications, immediate problem resolution and high retention
of key suppliers.
|
|
Supplier
Review & Certification
Reviewing the performance of each supplier on a periodic
basis can assure that underperforming suppliers are identified
and administered more closely. FlexGen 4 - SCM has a
supplier assessment process which can lead to high performers
receiving formal certification, resulting in streamlined procurement
and reduced administrative costs within the supply chain. QA
can reduce the inspection and review process speeding parts
on to production and eliminating waste. Delivery, Quality, Compliance and general business proficiency all play in to the formal
certification process behind any supplier approved. Formal
compliance documents can be automatically forwarded to any
supplier keeping them informed at all times of their status. |
|
Electronic
Documents
For high technology products, detailed specifications, drawings,
and videos are often required to clearly profile selected parts
being procured. Your design engineers and quality assurance
managers can electronically forward a wide range of information to the supply chain as a support service to procurement.
This means that suppliers will have the critical information need
ed to supply parts exactly as designed, on time and on budget.
FlexGen 4 - SCM with it's Electronic Documents manager is a
key business process enhancing the overall supply chain. |
|
Quality
Assurance
Quality Assurance plays a strategic role in developing many of the standards
and practices imposed upon the supply chain. FlexGen 4 - SCM allows you to
develop formal documentation, receiving procedures and quality analysis of
incoming materials, guaranteeing that only 100% useable parts get transacted.
All forms of statistical analysis can be implemented, streamlining the QA
review process and expediting parts to production, saving time and administrative
costs.
|
|
Electronic
Forms
FlexGen 4 - SCM offers a full complient of customizable forms
to support the entire supply chain management process. Electronic versions including PDF's of Purchase Orders, Requisitions,
Corrective Action Forms among others are available. On-line
forms over the web can be used to import supplier pricing and
delivery schedules in conjuction with RFQ management. Real
time, accurate information streamlines administration and reduces
procurement waste and inefficiency. |
|
Accounts
Payable
The FlexGen 4 - AFA Accounts Payable system
allows for easy management of all aspects
of cash disbursements. All supplier invoices
are managed against terms and integrated
with receiving data to assure payment only
for goods received and accepted. Flexible
payment schedules and selection of invoices
due for payment make managing cash disbursements,
with full simulation capabilities, a vital
part of the cash utilization process.
|
|
Decision
Support Services - SCM
To make sound decisions about suppliers, process and performance, requires accurate and timely information about all the
key events surrounding your supply chain. FlexGen 4 - SCM
coupled with Quality Assurance generates a vast array of
performance metrics used to track and monitor supplier and
procurements performance over time. Key Performace Indicators concerning on-time deliveries, quality failures, certifica-
tion and non compliance all come together to support the management process and evaluation of suppliers and buyers.
Negative trends are monitored, schedule disruptions are
reviewed and underperforming suppliers are identified for
corrective action. Optimum supply chain performance is a
requirement for every profitable manufacturing company.
|
|
Supplier
Web Services Portal
Providing suppliers with material requirements, documentation,
schedules and changes, are a time consuming management
process. With FlexGen 4 - SCM a variety of application services
are provided over the web, through a unique Supplier Services
Web Portal. Secure and always available to suppliers, the
web portal is where suppliers can go to update planning and
delivery schedules, price changes, download specifications
or review their supplier performance on-line. This allows for
an efficient supplier relationship and minimal surprises from
your key business partners - your supply chain. |
Once the Production Plan is executed,
FlexGen 4 – APM delivers the tools
and visibility required by production
control to monitor the plan, analyze productivity
in real-time and adjust available capacity
to optimize manufacturing throughput.
Online Quality Assurance procedures can
be implemented to assure that parts are
being manufactured to the highest standards,
including reviews and testing during the
production cycle. FlexGen 4 - APM also
generates automatic production control
performance reviews, highlighting cells
which are not on time, jobs which are
behind schedule and projected bottlenecks
which could materialize. Optionally, the
FlexGen 4 - Bar Code Automated Data Collection
system can be implemented to capture and
provide up to the minute status of open
jobs and projects working their way through
production.
Advanced
Production Management includes the following
features:
|
|
Production
Planning & Scheduling
The Adaptive Enterprise of today is setting
new bench marks for meeting the challenges
of the competition and the flexible factory
of tomorrow. With FlexGen 4 - APM, Production
Planning can set up not only its local operations,
but simulated facilities to track and monitor
outsourcing production in foreign countries
or simply off site manufacturing. The Planning
and Scheduling process now commands the
flexibility to account for production management
in all of its different forms and configurations,
both locally and abroad.
|
|
Capacity
Resource Planning
For many manufacturing enterprises, the
effective management and control of their
in-house productive resources is the biggest
challenge they confront. FlexGen 4 –
APM provides the application services to
establish the resource profiles for work
cells, machinery and labor. Based on available
capacity to produce versus that which is
required, comes the balancing act between
supply and demand of manufacturing resources.
With FlexGen 4 - APM, management will have
the tools needed to balance production and
maximize productivity and throughput.
|
|
Shop
Floor Control
For the traditional Job Shop and selected
manufacturing environments, FlexGen 4 -
APM provides its Shop Floor Control application
services, to better manage the production
plan. This is where production control can
develop Routings and Work Center parameters
used to manage the production cycle, for
individual jobs or the factory as a whole.
By setting out a precise sequence of manufacturing
processes for each job, through a detailed
routing, production control can track any
job throughout the factory in real-time.
By implementing flexible priorities coupled
with work center loading, FlexGen 4 - APM
assures that the top priorities are met
and the production process is being fully
optimized.
|
|
Bar Code - Automated Data Collection
Automated Data Collection is the mechanism through which quick and easy access to all your factory and production control information can be transacted. Through FlexGen 4- APM, bar coded travelers and employee badges use a simple scan of a bar code to deliver work order and labor detail automatically to production control and costing for monitoring and review.
|
|
Quality
Assurance
The role of Quality Assurance is to set
the manufacturing and supply chain standards
for performance necessary to achieve 100%
quality in parts and services. QA takes
an active role in developing all test and
evaluation procedures used to transact and
disposition all incoming materials through
the company's supply chain. With FlexGen
4 - APM the production control process can
be scrutinized and tested for quality compliance
as well, assuring that any production shortcomings
are identified in real-time and before the
cost of quality escalates.
|
|
Tooling
Management
Key to scheduling and maintaining predictable
production capabilities, is the reliable
availability of Tooling, including jigs,
molds, dies, test equipment and calibration
systems to name a few. FlexGen 4 - APM supplies
the tracking and maintenance facilities
to assure that all important tooling and
support equipment is properly maintained
and available for productive use. Each tool
has a unique ID for tracking, rework scheduling,
valuation and history of repairs to assure
its accountability and use.
|
|
Preventative
Maintenance
FlexGen 4- APM Preventative Maintenance
is used to schedule the periodic downtime
of production lines, work cells, primary
machinery and physical facilities for upgrade
and maintenance work. All production control
systems are fully integrated and aware through
the shop floor scheduler that selected production
capabilities will be unavailable during
a certain schedule, requiring alternative
means of production to be aligned. FlexGen
4 - APM eliminates manufacturing disruptions
and streamlines the task of facilities management.
|
Inventory and supplies represent one of
the single largest financial investments
a manufacturing company can make on an
annual basis. Built with administrative
ease and efficiency, FlexGen 4 - EDL delivers
the tools needed to effectively manage
and streamline a company's substantial
investment in materials. From managing
Lot and Serial Number traceability to
making on-time delivery of kits to production
control, all aspects of the distribution
and logistics system must work seamlessly
with each other. FlexGen 4 - EDL supports
this process by assuring that inventory
is properly handled, accounted for, distributed
and fully documented in compliance with
the highest operating standards of a company
and given industry.
Enterprise
Distribution & Logistics includes
the following features:
|
|
Multi
- Warehouse Management
FlexGen 4 - EDL incorporates automated tools
needed to ensure inventory and finished
goods are moved swiftly throughout the entire
distribution cycle. The preparation and
security behind all the necessary documentation
required to authorize inventory transactions,
including bar coded pack slips, work order
routings, shipping manifests and pick lists,
are generated on time and error free. In
addition, the QA procedures developed to
manage material certifications and test
results, are easily administered and electronically
attached to each inventory component, if
required.
|
|
Inventory
Control
Inventory management demands a system for
handling procedures and accountability which
secures the asset value of all materials.
FlexGen 4 - EDL application services allow
for automated receiving and transfer of
materials, locating stock according to flexible
locator designations, populating floor stock
with supplies and consumables, and expedited
delivery of materials directly to the floor.
Materials are fully secured and available
to maximize the flow of product and simplified
process administration.
|
|
Bar
Code - Inventory Manager
The FlexGen 4 - EDL Bar Code Inventory Manager
offers an automation suite designed to facilitate
the bar coding and transaction management
of all your typical inventory requirements.
Bar coded documents and labels are printed
upon demand and placed on the appropriate
forms, containers, documents or parts specific
to the need. Travelers and pick lists can
have bar codes displayed on the forms, allowing
for quick and easy scanning of the associated
transaction. In addition, a full cycle counting
process is available through the RF data
collection, driven by bar codes.
|
|
Inventory
Quarantine
Certain inventory categories require special
stocking, documentation and distribution.
Many companies have production requirements
calling for solvents, chemicals and otherwise
potentially harmful materials that demand
physical isolation and restricted access.
To meet these requirements, FlexGen 4 -
EDL has a set of processes used to track
and control highly regulated materials.
Incorporated in these processes are fully
integrated QA procedures and handling instructions
implemented to assure safety and governmental
compliance.
|
|
Lot
and Serial Number Traceability
For manufacturing companies engaged in producing
and servicing high-technology products,
the need for Lot and Serial Number tracking
is mandatory. FlexGen 4 - EDL allows for
comprehensive “cradle to grave”
tracking and archival of critical components
such as required for medical products, avionics
and aerospace components. These processes
track selected materials from the supplier,
through manufacturing, to the end-user.
For purposes of product recall, upgrade
or performance tracking, FlexGen 4 - EDL
simplifies and fully supports this mission
critical administrative task.
|
|
Customer
and Supplier Consigned Inventory
A unique class of inventory is that which
is either supplied directly by a customer
for use in production or materials provided
by a supplier on a consignment basis. Both
types of material transactions require a
distinct administrative process to properly
account for them. FlexGen 4 - EDL will let
you accurately track each form of inventory
transaction, including source, dates, value,
quantities and financial terms for consumption.
These transactions must be segregated from
your company owned materials to assure proper
use and financial accountability.
|
|
Automated
Shipping and Receiving
The Shipping and Receiving function represents
a key touch point for all inbound and outbound
inventory transactions. FlexGen 4 - EDL
streamlines the typical administrative tasks
required to properly document all customer
shipments, including pack slips, shipping
documents, customs forms and commercial
invoices when required. Upon completing
each transaction, the FlexGen 4 - EDL web
services is automatically updated to keep
customers informed of their shipment status
through the Customer Self-Service Portal.
All incoming materials are reviewed, documents
examined and QA procedures fulfilled, guaranteeing
only acceptable materials on hand and available
to production control management.
|
Every viable manufacturing enterprise
must be able to keep score of its financial
health and vitality at all times. FlexGen
4 - AFA application services effectively
links together company assets, liquidity,
sales and profitability, creating a more
accurate and efficient view of finances.
All the mandatory accounting functions
are supported seamlessly and without dual
entry or wasted administrative effort.
Finance is provided with a comprehensive
Financial Analysis suite from FRx Software
to review financial trends, develop enterprise
budgets for cost control and to generate
financial simulations to test various
financial business plans and scenarios.
Accounting
and Financial Analysis includes the following
features:
|
|
Advanced
Costing Analysis
Controlling costs and identifying weaknesses
in the supply chain and production control
processes on a real-time basis drive profitability
and efficiency. With foreign competition
pressing hard on the manufacturing industry,
managing costs, including labor, materials,
overhead and outsourcing, demands total
visibility and control of the key factors
of production. FlexGen 4 – AFA application
services assure that production standards
are being met and inefficiencies are identified
quickly and eliminated.
|
|
Human
Resources
FlexGen 4 - AFA contains the necessary application
services required to efficiently manage
a company's personnel executive and reporting
needs. This includes a complete history
of all employee related dates and events
associated with employment. Other records
include date of application, date of hire,
review schedules, salary history and references.
Selected governmental reporting is provided
to assure all employment regulations and
compliance statutes are fully met.
|
|
Payroll
The payroll process in FlexGen 4 - AFA,
is fully integrated with Software 21's Touch
Screen data collection system. Payroll data
is automatically updated through the real-time
update process, eliminating time cards and
traditional manual payroll distribution.
All the required rate, tax, benefits and
governmental reporting requirements are
streamlined and easy to accomplish. In addition,
optional payroll systems are available and
fully integrated with FlexGen 4 - AFA including
the ABRA Payroll system from Best Software.
|
|
General
Ledger
The backbone of any financial management
system is the General Ledger. FlexGen 4
- AFA provides a robust architecture needed
to establish a company reporting and financial
management structure. The FlexGen 4 - AFA
system is automatically fed transactions
from over 22 distinct operating functions
such as AR, AP, Costing and Inventory Transactions,
eliminating administrative time and waste.
Multiple company financial management with
consolidations is automatic and fully user
defined with regard to output and presentation.
Full drill down capability to source documents
and details save time in reconciliation
and audit preparation.
|
|
FRx - Financial
Analysis
FRx Software has developed one of the leading
products in financial management as a part
of its FRx Financial Analytics and Reporting
Suite. Featuring fully integrated financial
ties to FlexGen 4 - AFA, FRx provides CFOs
and financial managers a full complement
of Budgeting Tools, Financial Reporting
Templates and Wizards and Analytical Applications
to facilitate comparative analysis, as well
as a comprehensive set of web-based delivery
tools for executive management reporting
and presentation. FRx is a fully supported
and integrated service application which
now comes standard with FlexGen 4 - AFA.
|
|
Touch Screen
- Time and Attendance
Time and Attendance management and reporting
is traditionally an operations area characterized
by waste, inefficiency and inaccurate data
transmittal. With FlexGen 4 - AFA, everyone
in the enterprise can track time and activities
with speed, ease of data entry with 100%
accuracy. No paper timecards are needed
when online, real-time Touch Screen data
collection devices are distributed throughout
the factory. The User Interface is intuitive
and easy to implement providing online project
and work order verification, scheduling
changes/updates and company announcements
to enhance communications across all employees.
|
The value and long-term benefit of implementing
FlexGen 4 will in large be derived through
the deployment and use of its powerful
and comprehensive Decision Support Services.
FlexGen 4 – DSS serves the unique
purpose of connecting managers and executives
to the Adaptive Enterprise through actionable
data and relevant information. Through
creative database architecture and open
connectivity to the industry’s best
information mining tools, including Business
Objects’ Crystal Reports and Enterprise,
any manager can penetrate key enterprise
operating segments and search for information
to make better business decisions and
develop informed management strategies.
Decision Support
Services includes the following features:
|
Executive
Decision & Analysis |
| |
Separate from the daily transactional
processing and support FlexGen 4 -
DSS provides, informed decision making
is its true value. There are four
components to FlexGen 4 - DSS that
must be met: 1) Data Access, 2) Data
Analysis, 3) Data Preparation and
4) Data Presentation. FlexGen 4 -
DSS excels at these four tasks. Clearly
a wide range of data and information
resources lie within the FlexGen 4
data structure. Key to unlocking its
enterprise value, is the open and
flexible sourcing of this data through
FlexGen 4 - Executive Dashboards,
Custom Views, third party tools such
as Crystal Enterprises and FRx , to
name a few. |
| |
|
|
ERP
Analytics & Key Performance
Indicators |
| |
An integral source of enterprise
management data comes automatically
through the hundreds of enterprise
touchpoints FlexGen 4 maintains throughout
the enterprise. Statistics, performance
metrics, transaction volumes and other
financial related information is generated
and stored within the system, awaiting
management inquiry and analysis. Key
Performance Indicators (KPI's) are
select performance measures that managers
set for repetitive analysis such as
Return on Sales, Inventory Turns and
Supplier Quality Compliance, among
dozens of others. |
| |
|
|
Enterprise
Knowledge Base |
| |
The Enterprise Knowledge Base is
an extremely useful information source
for managers looking at broader trends
and intelligence, sourced though specific
enterprise functions including, Customer
Service, Customer Call Center, Quality
Assurance and Supplier Relationship
Management. This information is not
metric specific, but rather driven
by transaction comments, observation,
interview and field input. With FlexGen
4 – DSS, managers can query
on topics of interest, then, based
on relevant actionable experience,
make appropriate and well informed
decisions. |
| |
|
|
Collaboration
& Work Flow Analysis |
| |
FlexGen 4 - DSS provides a host
of tools and predefined processes
designed to instruct, guide and manage
many of the internal operating procedures
within a typical manufacturing enterprise.
For example, Corrective Action Reporting
is a process available to report and
disposition specific activities or
events, which require attention and
follow-up by key managers. A Supplier
Action Report gets generated when
a supplier violates product deliveries,
standards or other performance measures,
which could require immediate assessment. |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
