Extending Aras Innovator into Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for Build/Engineer-to-Order Manufacturers

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Extending Aras Innovator into Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for Build/Engineer-to-Order Manufacturers

Manufacturing execution systems (MES) have traditionally been closely tied to the enterprise resource planning (ERP) and material resource planning (MRP) domains. While MES’s connectivity to ERP and MRP is critical, these highly transactional environments provide a limited view into critical sources of process intensive product information living is such environments as product lifecycle management (PLM) systems.

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Model-Based Design and the Model-Based Enterprise

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Model-Based Design and the Model-Based Enterprise

What manufacturing company hasn't faced unnecessary rework, confusion on the shop floor and thus missed delivery dates? The cause can repeatedly be traced to unclear, ambiguous documentation often found in 2D drawings. Help is at hand, fortunately. An evolving solution for authoring product definition and design intent, sourced at the CAD models, is gaining recognition. 

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Tech Tips: Visual Collaboration with Aras Innovator

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Tech Tips: Visual Collaboration with Aras Innovator

Last year Aras was the first PLM vendor to provide embedded CAD to 3D PDF conversion capabilities.  It is now an inherent part of the Aras Innovator PLM for subscribers and enables users across the enterprise to view all formats of product data in a single, common user interface without buying additional software.  As a result, there is no need for a separate visualization tool.  One of the powerful 3D tools available in the Adobe Reader is the 3D measurement tool. Anyone with Adobe Reader XI can easily measure and markup rich engineering data saved in the 3D PDF file format.

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Creating a “PLM Beachhead” That Drives Immediate Value

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Creating a “PLM Beachhead” That Drives Immediate Value

Just because PLM can do everything, doesn’t mean is should… especially when starting out. Far too many consultants and service providers are happy to help you find the end of the PLM rainbow when in reality 80% of the value is driven by 20% of a solution’s functional scope. How can this “20%” be found before time and money are wasted.  Join Martin van der Roest at next week’s webinar and learn how to equip yourself with proven strategies that emphasize the importance data cohesion and process automation as foundational pieces of a PLM solution.   Using this approach will help identify the “20%” and produce a solutions that scales and extends value throughout the enterprise.
 

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Developing Workflow Components in Aras

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Developing Workflow Components in Aras

By Ben Desmarais, vdR Group Senior Implementation Manager

I’ve been doing PLM solutions for nearly two decades now.  Crafting workflow solutions are essential for most any implementation effort.  I was recently involved in designing and configuring workflow processes for a project, and a couple of things occurred that prompted me to want to share some thoughts.

First, lifecycle stages go hand-in-hand with workflows.  Think of workflows as moving a collection of items through a process.  As an item moves through the process, it is likely to change states.  For example, if an item is being changed, then once a change process is activated for that item, the lifecycle state might be assigned to “work-in-process” or WIP...

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Pursuing the Promise of PLM – Part 1

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Pursuing the Promise of PLM – Part 1

Personally, one of my go-to content sources is TED talks.  In particular, I have enjoyed Simon Sinek.  He’s an author best known for popularizing the concept of "the golden circle" and to "Start with Why.”  In one of his talks, Sinek encourages us to understand “why” we pursue an idea, and then dig into the “how” and “what” later.  By doing so, the result is a vision and energy that transcends the morass of tactical details.  A prime example … Steve Jobs is the iconic “why guy.”

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The Business-Case for PLM: How to Measure Value

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The Business-Case for PLM: How to Measure Value

Do you have P&L responsibilities or hope to have someday?  Then if PLM is not part of your strategy, you may want to reconsider.  PLM is just as vital as your ERP solution and some will argue that it is the most important aspect for any engineering/manufacturing business.

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Using “Parts Optimization and Value Analysis” to Identify an ROI for PLM

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Using “Parts Optimization and Value Analysis” to Identify an ROI for PLM

Over the past several months, we have all been in various conversations with prospects.  As we get into the discovery and briefing stages, we’re constantly trying to uncover the real issues and challenges.  Airing out “dirty laundry” is not always easy.  As the information and details unfold, you can see the solution forming in your mind’s eye and the potential business value it can deliver.  The value propositions are played back in the forms of “reduce cycle time”, “improve product quality”, “drive broader visibility”...

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