The Manufacturing Advantage Suite is a robust, configurable and affordable manufacturing execution system that empowers the artisans in the work center to report production data, including the material consumed and the time, or amount of labor, used to produce the end item.

ERP packages, and even legacy host applications, are very powerful and functionally rich; however, many companies have special operational requirements that are not easily met by these host applications. These requirements are typically shop floor or material handling procedures that are unique to the company and provide significant benefits. Using Manufacturing Advantage and the Supply Chain Advantage platform, these functional gaps can be filled by enhancing the business process, while continuing to provide the host with the required data.

Entering transactions into a computer is secondary to the shop-floor worker’s main function, so the shop floor interface for Manufacturing Advantage uses automatic identification (bar code, RFID, etc.) and simple screens that are (optionally) touch-enabled for quickly and easily completing transactions. Additionally, workers can view documentation such as CAD drawings, photographs, instructional videos and quality documents.

Product quality and employee efficiency is enhanced when using Manufacturing Advantage by putting up-to-the-minute work instructions at the artisans’ fingertips. Furthermore, by capturing real-time data from the shop floor, Manufacturing Advantage allows supervisors and managers to closely monitor production and make better decisions when unforeseen situations arise.

Timely and accurate access to production information is critical for manufacturing executives to make business decisions. Manufacturing Advantage provides accurate, real-time visibility to production data, through web-based reporting. Executives can view actual versus planned production along with information about the number of orders satisfied, scrap, overall equipment effectiveness and labor productivity.