June, 1998 Feature Article Web Software Enables Virtual Extensions to Customer Plants Avex Electronics (Huntsville, Ala.; www.avex.com), a contract electronics manufacturer, has implemented its new Total Interactive Manufacturing Environment (TIME), creating a virtual extension of its customers' plants. TIME is an information architecture that enables customers to directly view status on orders, work-in-process, quality test data, and other critical production information via the Internet. In a sector where virtual manufacturing is becoming the norm, TIME allows Avex's customers a window on the virtual extension of their plant using the long reach of the Internet. TIME provides access to detailed status information to customers from their own supply chains. Avex's goal with TIME is to create an electronic environment that is a virtual extension of its customers' factories. Shop Floor Data Manager, a manufacturing execution system (MES) from Industrial Computer Corp. (Atlanta, Ga.; www.indcomp.com), provides the critical information core for TIME. SFDM provides detailed order and WIP tracking, serialized build history, quality data collection, work instructions, and rework and repair tracking. SFDM also provides links to finite capacity scheduling, SCADA/control systems, and SPC/SQC modules, including Genrad's TracsIII system, which is implemented in Avex's quality test area. Both SFDM and Tracs feed real-time information to an Oracle database, where information is made accessible to Avex customers through either the Netscape or Microsoft Web browsers. With proper authorization, customers can view production status regarding test, quality and process trend analysis. The information is displayed graphically, with drill-down capabilities for viewing supporting data. SFDM is a highly scaleable client/server solution based on open system standards, permitting device and database independence. At Avex, SFDM runs in a true three-tiered client/server architecture, powered by two Sun UltraSPARC 2 servers, with dual 17-Mhz processors and 256 Mg of memory. The applications feed the Oracle database running on an E2000 Sun server, with PC clients. Both SFDM and Oracle run under the Solaris operating system. SFDM will eventually manage warranty work as well, permitting customers to check on the status of their service orders. Additionally, SFDM will provide more traditional production benefits, those more commonly associated with MES implementations. "Our customers love TIME," said Mike Cahoon, Avex's vice president and CIO. "In the business we're in, it's extremely important to have a tight working relationship with your customers. We're contracted to build their products. In bundling our production data and making it available the way we have, we're offering them greater value in the services we provide." The Manufacturing Report © Copyright 1997, 1998 by Lionheart Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. E-mail Editorial Dept: tmr-editorial@lionhrtpub.com Lionheart Publishing, Inc. 2555 Cumberland Parkway, Suite 299, Atlanta, GA 30339 USA Phone: 770-431-0867 | Fax: 770-432-6969 E-mail: lpi@lionhrtpub.com Web Design by Premier Web Designs E-mail: lionwebmaster@preweb.com