Software optimizes manufacturing processes.
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Press Release Summary:
Pelion MPO manages transition to demand-driven manufacturing processes, including Lean, Six Sigma, and Demand Flow(TM). It is powered by advanced algorithms supplemented with visual modeling to help manufacturers analyze and design shop floor configurations and processes. Pelion MPO integrates all data management tools needed to analyze and immediately respond to changes in production, supply chain, and distribution requirements based on real-time demand.
Original Press Release:
Pelion Systems Launches Industry's First Software Platform to Empower and Sustain the Manufacturing Transformation Lifecycle
Manufacturers have a single solution for optimizing all manufacturing processes to transform their factories from 'push' to demand-pull operations
SAN DIEGO, October 11, 2004, APICS Conference 2004, Booth #637 Pelion Systems, the market leader in Manufacturing Process Optimization (MPO) solutions, today announced the availability of Pelion MPO, the industry's first software platform for managing the entire transformation lifecycle to demand-driven manufacturing processes, including Lean, Six Sigma and Demand Flow(TM). The software suite complements existing ERP/MRP and APS systems and helps manufacturers visualize, define, design, implement and sustain best practices. Using Pelion MPO, manufacturers can empower and sustain programs to liberate operating capital, optimize shop-floor execution and performance, enable rapid response to actual and dynamic customer demand, and increase revenue performance.
"Over 40 percent of all manufacturing plants are using Lean, Six Sigma or a combination as a management program to improve their operations," said Ralph Rio, Director, ARC Advisory Group. "Nearly all are using manual methods and they are constrained from achieving the full benefits these programs can provide. Software tools, such as now offered by Pelion Systems, are desperately needed to move these programs to the next level."
Offered through an enterprise suite of integrated software components, Pelion MPO is powered by advanced algorithms supplemented with "drag-and-drop" visual modeling to help manufacturers quickly analyze and design shop floor configurations and processes. It provides ongoing mathematical calculations to help customers quickly respond to changes in mix or volume while balancing line and load requirements. Pelion MPO integrates all of the data management tools needed to visualize and immediately analyze and respond to changes in production, supply chain and distribution requirements based on real-time demand.
"Manufacturers face unprecedented challenges from outsourcing and off-shore competitive forces that require swift and sustainable improvements in operational efficiency," said Dave Alcala, chairman, president and CEO of Pelion. "With the introduction of Pelion MPO, manufacturers looking to standardize manufacturing initiatives have a highly adaptive software platform for managing the entire manufacturing transformation lifecycle regardless of methodology.
"Key to our approach," added Dave Alcala, "is that Pelion MPO seamlessly integrates with a customer's current systems and provides significant additive functionality to manage the processes inside the factory walls as well as collaborative technology to complement already resident ERP/MRP and APS systems."
Pelion MPO provides the breadth of functionality and flexibility manufacturers need to automate demand-driven practices throughout the organization, including visualization, process planning, demand management, factory operations, supply management and distribution. Unlike traditional point solutions that support a single methodology, Pelion MPO enables the demand-driven enterprise through a cohesive, easy-to-use software package based on proven Lean, Demand Flow(TM) and Six Sigma principles and direct feedback from customers that include Nortek, Husqvarna and Brooks-PRI Automation.
"Pelion delivers software tools we needed to overhaul our business process management initiatives from demand management and plant-level workflow to supplier relationship management and distribution," said Mr. Richard Moon, Vice President of Operations at Husqvarna Turf Care, the forest, lawn and garden products division of the Electrolux Group. "Pelion MPO provides the tools we need to respond instantaneously to customer demand and, simultaneously, we've been able to reduce our inventory levels, improve overall productivity and dramatically increase our global competitiveness resulting in the construction of a new, factory of the future, across the street from our current facility in Beatrice, Nebraska."
The Pelion MPO software suite includes modules for managing all demand-driven manufacturing functions:
o Pelion MPO Process Optimizer with Value Stream Mapping -- Streamlines manufacturing cycle times, reduces non-valued added work, and increases customer adaptability and factory shipping performance with visual, interactive process and facility design and modeling tools for optimizing current operations while enabling transformation to the "factory of the future."
o Pelion MPO Demand Manager -- Optimizes daily production efficiencies with a resource-planning engine. Compares actual and forecasted demand volume and mix to factory resources and alerts planners to potential resource bottlenecks to optimize daily scheduling, production sequencing and load balancing.
o Pelion MPO Factory Manager -- Enables a demand-pull material flow process with internal Kanban for bin and fabrication. Reduces material shortages and optimizes inventory turnover by quickly analyzing and supporting changing material requirements.
o Pelion MPO Supply Manager -- Extends demand-pull Kanban materials flow to internal and external suppliers via the Internet to reduce lead times and offer rapid response for replenishment. Streamlines communications, purchasing, inventory management and performance monitoring to enable collaboration with suppliers, subcontractors and sister plants, with a single point of contact for any material replenishment triggers or signals.
o Pelion MPO Distribution Manager -- Manages pull production systems directly across the supply network, including suppliers, subcontractors, sister plants, warehouses, distribution and logistics partners, and customers. Provides electronic signaling, manages inventory based on finished goods 'right-sizing,' distribution Kanban and customer demand; tracks performance against order fulfillment; and, drives factory mix and volume with real-time visibility.
Pelion MPO Performance Manager -- Integrates with legacy ERP/MRP and APS systems, provides international language support, and manages Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) supplemented with graphical dashboards. Provides managers with the continuous improvement tools to plan, customize, lead, execute and control MPO initiatives with real-time, consistent data collection and visual tools.
The launch of Pelion MPO marks a new chapter for Pelion Systems. The company recently closed a significant round of financing and has bolstered its management team with the addition of industry veterans Dave Alcala as chairman, president and CEO of Pelion, Rich Sherman as senior VP of marketing, and Rich Cialabrini as senior VP of sales.
"Managing the supply network is all about understanding demand and cost drivers to manage trade offs, constraints and time," said Rich Sherman. "By shifting the focus from what goes in and out of the factory node to optimizing material flow and processes through the factory node, companies can implement manufacturing transformation strategies that leverage their competitive advantages to achieve demand-driven manufacturing excellence and market leadership."
About Pelion Systems
Pelion Systems is the market leader in Manufacturing Process Optimization (MPO) software products and services based on Lean, Six Sigma, and Demand Flow principles. With Pelion, leading manufacturers are able to liberate capital, grow profits and sustain breakthrough performance by optimizing operations and extending their supply network to include suppliers, customers and outsourced service providers in their business transformation. Pelion MPO integrates easily with existing ERP and MRP systems and is available in desktop, site and enterprise editions. Based in Lafayette, Colo., Pelion has sales and marketing offices in Chicago, Detroit and Austin. For more information about Pelion's product and service offerings visit www.pelionsystems.com or call 877-669-4324.
