Rockwell Automation continues to build out its scalable modular MES applications, enabling users to configure and implement without a programming environment, add more application features, enhance integration with DCS process systems, and further expand deployment options. The newly added features significantly enhance the overall functionality of the MES application product portfolio. This product suite is based on Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk Production Suite.The nCentre platform is comprised of major applications including FactoryTalk Production, FactoryTalk Performance, FactoryTalk Quality, and the upcoming FactoryTalk Warehouse.

"As we introduce the new application, we are also dedicated to fulfilling our commitment to 'Enhance Usability and Flexibility.' Traditional MES implementations require a multidisciplinary expertise from businesses, but our modular MES application primarily employs a guided, graphical configuration method, making it more user-friendly for deployment and use." - Todd Mo, Product Manager, Information Software Department, Rockwell Automationntpas states, "We are also investing in the development of new delivery methods and will soon launch an expandable FactoryTalk MES application version based on SaaS and the cloud for all manufacturers."

Enhancing User Experience to Realize Value Conversion

With the latest update, FactoryTalk Production, FactoryTalk Performance, and FactoryTalk Quality applications now feature a simple drag-and-drop visualization tool, allowing staff to build new workflows without coding. This will accelerate product changeover times and enhance the flexibility of new product introductions.

Additionally, FactoryTalk Quality application now includes a suite of intuitive and user-friendly components. The app recommends pre-configured visualization components, such as gauges or historical data charts, based on the staff's selections in the settings, to expedite value conversion and reduce quality management costs.

New FactoryTalk Warehouse Application Added

During the operation of the workshop, it is essential to quickly and accurately track material movement and inventory information. The new MES application, FactoryTalk Warehouse, simplifies warehouse logistics management and enables rapid, end-to-end inventory management and tracking (from goods receipt to inventory records to goods distribution).

The app assists manufacturers in gaining deeper insights and control over warehouse logistics, enabling better management of raw material batches, pallet load tracking, and work-in-progress (WIP) inventory. It also provides detailed information down to the sub-batch level, all of which are synchronized with the company's ERP system. With this information at hand, staff can manage materials at all levels almost in real-time, including tracing product pedigrees forward or backward. The FactoryTalk Warehouse app can be expanded to meet specific deployment requirements.

Process Integration

FactoryTalk ProductionCentre MES expands its suite with an out-of-the-box integration tool, enabling users to access more production data across systems, thus clearing the path to interconnected and intelligent manufacturing. The Enterprise Integration Hub (EIHub) software provides a universal connection method for corporate applications and external IT systems. The application reviews information coming into a system and converts it into the appropriate format and template for the receiving system. It also simplifies data transformation across the interconnected enterprise by confirming whether a transmission fails by viewing information and sending alerts.

Through EIHub, process manufacturers can seamlessly connect multiple FactoryTalk MES applications, including their DCS, LIMS, QMS, PLM, or CMMS systems, as well as other databases. This cross-vendor integration allows operations personnel to transmit batch report parameters, GMP critical alarms for "exception checking," and various data on consumption, production, and order completion. Pre-configured value packages in the EIHub software also help discrete manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace industries improve production efficiency.

Expand Delivery Methods

The scalable MES application offers cloud delivery and supports centralized deployment through private, public, and hybrid cloud configurations. Rockwell Automation currently provides Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) products through pre-configured hosted industrial data centers and will soon offer Software as a Service (SaaS) products via the FactoryTalk Cloud platform.

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