A manufacturer connects ERP, PLM, and SCADA systems into one unified model so production workers get the exact data they need at the right time. The example: releasing an order for Oreo cookies requires pulling recipe specs, inventory checks, scale calibration, and mixer settings from different systems and delivering them to the factory floor automatically.
After 2 years, you look backwards and there's nothing the same anymore. So when you're thinking integration with this data ahead of time, I think it's— it just becomes a big— and we have not accomplished it. I don't— no matter where you go. Again, I would like to look at it from this instance of this product being made in this plant. What does that require? Well, it requires information from this ERP system at this point in time. Requires information from the PLM system at this point in time, requires information from the oven setting SCADA system at this point in time. So I know that what that is, I already know that information. I'm suggesting we build this information model and use business process management tools to retrieve the information and download it to these workstations and provide the orchestration, if you will, of the workflow information specific to his point of use. I just said a whole lot there. When I say that fast, it sounds easy. Actually, it really is easy. It's easy when you think about— and this is what they do in the factory— when you think about step 1, I'm going to release a production order to make a 6-pack Oreo cookie with white frosting, and it's going to be 3 layers. There are certain information elements that reside in a number of places in the enterprise. Now, at step 1, I need certain information. I need a recipe. I need to know that the inventory is available. I need to have a scale to weigh my recipe amounts on, and I'm going to put that in the mixer. I need information to know how long to run the mixer and at what speed for this particular recipe in this particular plant. We can build a model of that and support that model and run it, which executes that recipe and moves the information according to the point of need.
