Encompix Manufacturing ERP Profiled Machine Design Magazine
Roger Meloy of Encompix Inc., (www.encompix.com) an Engineer to
Order (ETO) Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software maker
based in Cincinnati, said, "Ask most design engineers what an
ERP system means to them and you are likely to hear 'nothing' or
'more work,'" One reason for the perception: Most ERP systems
are not integrated with CAD. That's because traditional ERP
systems were developed for repetitive, make-to-stock
manufacturers where there is a clear demarcation between design
and production.
The October issue of Machine Design profiles Engineer-to-Order
ERP Solutions in an article by leading manufacturing journalist
Thomas R. Cutler (www.trcutlerinc.com). In this environment
design engineers create a product in CAD. After testing and
prototyping, the item goes to engineers who tailor it for mass
production and create a bill of materials (BOM). The BOM is
based solely on how an item is to be manufactured, not on its
design, all of which takes place in ERP software. The design
engineer throughout the process has little or no interaction
with the ERP system. Once a design is frozen there is little
interaction between the design and production departments.
In ETO firms the role of design engineer is very different. Such
companies build products specifically for individual customers.
Design and manufacturing departments work together more closely.
In many cases product design continues through production
(design in process), incorporating several engineering changes
along the way. These changes may be driven by the customer or by
the manufacturer, necessitating a seamless flow of data between
engineering and production.
Integrated CAD-ERP software lets ETO companies pass data both
ways and handle engineering changes in both systems. Without it,
designers are constantly re-keying data from CAD to ERP
software, which wastes valuable engineering time or requires
additional staff.
ETOs, unlike repetitive manufacturers purchase items only one
time for a particular job. Typically the engineer will specify
the item and its manufacturer, bypassing the ERP system
altogether. Makers of ERP systems that collaborate with Product
Life Cycle (PLM) vendors can address these needs. Information
about ETOs can be found at the ETO Institute
(www.etoinstitute.org). Encompix www.encompix.com Roger Meloy
513-733-0066
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