Scheduling Software works via wireless networks.
Press Release Summary:
Enhancements to latest version of 4C scheduling software include event-driven monitoring, critical event messaging, capable-to-build analyses, what-if analyses, and access via any wireless Windows CE-based PDA or mobile data collection terminal. It works with 802.11B wireless LANs or WANs, and provides mobile users with same real time access to data as employees in office. Users can switch from normal browser mode at office to wireless mode when on the road.
Original Press Release:
nMetric 4C@Site Users Easily Manage Shop Floors when Mobile Live Schedule Mobile Messaging with PDA or Wireless Data Collection
First Public Showing at MESA International Conference - June 10-12 - Boston, Mass. - nMetric Booth #22
COSTA MESA, CALIF.- June 4, 2002-People are always "on the move" these days and they need information about their operations to be "on the move" with them. The mobile capability of nMetric's 4C manufacturing software, an "always on" real-time dynamic scheduling system, has been enhanced by providing event-driven monitoring, critical event messaging, true "capable-to-build" analyses, "what-if" analyses and operational visibility and access via any wireless Windows CE-based PDA or mobile data collection terminal. Wherever they are, users can immediately know exactly what is happening on the shop floor in terms of equipment, material, labor resources and time. Networks can either be standard 802.11B wireless Local Area Networks (LANs) or popular wireless Wide Area Networks (WANs).
"No matter where you are, you can find out exactly what is happening on the shop floor of your manufacturing operation(s)," explains nMetric CEO Tom Carpenter. "For instance, a CEO or salesperson on the road may want to determine if an order for his largest customer is on schedule or if a new, bigger order can also be completed at a certain time. Being able to know, right now and right here, if the company is capable of building a specific order by a specific time provides an invaluable competitive advantage. Plant managers on the other side of the facility or sitting in a meeting can be immediately alerted if there are problems elsewhere."
In the same manner that users set up their profiles on their computers and laptops back at the office, they can do likewise with their PDA or data collection terminal. They can use or display the same screens seen via their normal browser and decide whether or not to limit the number of screens available wirelessly. Screens might include job status, information to analyze, reports obtained directly from the plant floor, starts and completions of orders or maintenance information such as machines down or due for refurbishment.
Since the software can detect when queried wirelessly, the mobile profile will not affect what the normal browser profile will display when using the office PC. Because of this, users can easily switch from normal browser mode at the office to the wireless mode on the road or on the other side of the plant.
To obtain information, the wireless 4C user clicks on Windows Internet Explorer, enters the URL for the 4C application and provides the authorized user ID code. The menu display provides a variety of tasks to choose. For instance, in the capable-to-build screen, the user could enter a part number, quantity of parts desired and the day they are wanted. If the user is not sure of a part number, only a few initial numbers are needed; the mobile unit searches for appropriate matches. The PDA or terminal then sends this information to the host, which runs the 4C scheduling algorithms on live data from production. 4C then replies with start and completion dates or with the quantity of parts that can be produced by the preferred date, based on the shop floor's real-time production constraints.
"Users get real-time access to the scheduling engine as though they were at their desks," emphasizes Carpenter. "This mobile capability extends the ability of companies to anticipate what is going to happen in the plant in time to respond in terms of technical, financial, operational or business strategies. It provides the mobile user with the same real time access to data as those in their offices."
The first public showing will be at the MESA International Conference to be held in Boston, Mass. nMetric will be in booth 22.
For additional media information, including high resolution, downloadable graphics, go to www.brighamscully.com and click nMetric.
About nMetric
Founded in 2000, nMetric's 4C system is the only software that provides mid-sized and smaller manufacturers with live scheduling, monitoring and tracking, messaging updates and analyses so that they can completely oversee all steps of their manufacturing process and proactively supervise the dynamics of their supply chain in real time to accurately predict what will happen. Company headquarters are at 3070 South Bristol Avenue, Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626. Phone is 888-561-9700. Website is www.nmetric.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tom Carpenter
nMETRIC
714-424-4401
tom.carpenter@nmetric.com
