Enterprise Resource Planning
Producing companies of any size rely on two key information systems: 1) Enterprice Resource Planning (ERP) and 2) Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). The logistics processes are mainly found in the ERP environment, while the design and service processes can only fully supported by the deployment of PLM methods.
A part of the business data must be accessible in both environments, and a good integration between these systems means a efficient business operations. In practice, a considerable profit achieved by eliminating of the non-automated actions, whereat the prevention of errors in transferring information between different departments and processes leads to a reduce of failure costs.
ERP and PLM, two different cultures
Despite the obvious advantages of an ERP-PLM integration shows the introduction into practice often difficult expires. Reasons are less of a technical nature, but more to do with the confrontation between two different cultures that control the respective environments.
infostrait has a lot of experience with ERP-PLM integrations, namely the combination of SmarTeam with BaaN IV, Isah ERP, JD Edwards, and PROAlpha, in particular. Our successes with a SmarTeam + BaaN IV integration with three of our customers provides a solid base, and provides concrete references.
SmarTeam and BaaN IV
infostrait respects structural differences between the ERP and PLM cultures with the SmarTeam + BaaN IV integration. In close cooperation with users we will analyze the content of the data exchange. Hereby will the ownership unambiguous be set. The integration module itself is implemented as a “single component” that acts as an intermediary between SmarTeam and BaaN. Both systems hardly changed, they do function without interruption, even if for example the network connection between these two systems is lost.
| Advantage | Example |
|---|---|
| No duplication (and no typos) | New or custom products and bill of materials do not have to be retyped from SmarTeam into BaaN. |
| Designers take into account logistics information | The most important logistical information in BaaN is also available in SmarTeam (eg cost). |
| Improving the release process | The release process of SmarTeam to BaaN expires according agreed logistic rules |
| Service employees know exactly what is in the pitch | In SmarTeam are produced and extradited structures (including complete documentation) stored |
| Acceleration and improvement of service and modification processes | SmarTeam shows changes by comparing produced and current product structures. |
| Less software license costs | Employees of the design and service department doesn’t need necessary acces to BaaN. |
Finally:
- The flexible design of the integration module allows to linking multiple BaaN-systems simultaneously.
- Integration in a SmarTeam Multi-Site environment is supported.
- The module has a comprehensive monitoring and surveillance data between SmarTeam and BaaN. Each individual transaction is logged, and unexpected transactions are reported by email to the administrator.
For more information about our proven ERP PLM integrations please contact us.
