Mercedes Benz Selects interLink Logistics Technologies to Provide `Wireless Kanban' Solution for Materials Replenishment.ATLANTA -- Wireless Call Button Functionality for Lineside Material Management to Improve Productivity, Streamline Operations and Increase Visibility Mercedes Benz Mercedes Benz expensive automobile and status symbol. [Trademarks: Crowley Trade, 368] See : Luxury US International (MBUSI MBUSI Mercedes-Benz United States International (Alabama M-class Plant) MBUSI Mercedes Benz Us International ) has selected InterLink INTERLINK - A commercial product comprising hardware and software for file transfer between IBM and VAX computers. Logistics Technologies as their provider for the wireless material replenishment applications at the Vance, AL assembly facility. MBUSI has deployed the TigerLink(TM) Wireless Call Button that is designed for "Just-in-Time" manufacturing environments and provides real time visibility on material status. interLink Logistics Technologies, a leading supplier of wireless hardware platforms Each hardware platform, or CPU family, has a unique machine language. All software presented to the computer for execution must be in the binary coded machine language of that CPU. Following is a list of the major hardware platforms in existence today. See platform. , today announced at AUTO-TECH 2005 the companies have completed the second phase of the implementation of the TigerLink(TM) "wireless Kanban Meaning "visible record" in Japanese, it is a system of notification from one process to the other in a manufacturing system. Kanban cards, which may be multicolored based on priority, are stored in a bin or container that holds the items. They describe the parts, supplier and quantity. " solution. The TigerLink(TM) Wireless Call Button solution provides Mercedes the capability to utilize the existing 802.11b wireless infrastructure to extend visibility to the "point of activity." The process of requesting material on the shop floor was previously based on a paper-based card system. With approximately 14,000 parts on each M-Class vehicle, it is imperative to have a highly visible, highly automated material replenishment system. In order to provide immediate feedback to the requestor, Mercedes selected the TigerLink(TM) Wireless Call Button for the extended functionality beyond the industry standard wireless connectivity. The TigerLink(TM) solution provides a 4-line by 20-character display to notify the requestor the status of the request. In addition, the lamp on the TigerLink(TM) provides a visual status on the request for areas where the shop floor personnel are not able to view the display. The standard RS-232 port on the TigerLink(TM) also allows for customers to interface into external RS-232 devices such as bar code scanners A device specialized for reading bar codes and converting them into either the ASCII or EBCDIC digital character code. Pen scanners, also known as wand scanners, were the first type of bar code scanner developed in the 1970s. , scales, and printers that extend the functionality of the TigerLink(TM) solution. Mercedes Benz has installed the system throughout the Body, Paint, and Assembly areas of both Plant 1 and Plant 2 in Vance. The Rabus Adminstrator Software Suite from InterLink Logistics Technologies allows Mercedes to monitor the activity and to centrally manage the devices on the shop floor. With the Rabus Software, Mercedes can deploy firmware upgrades to all TigerLink(TM) devices with a wireless broadcast update, eliminating the need to physically connect to the devices. In addition, the interface into SAP's Event Driven Kanban module allows a GUI (Graphical User Interface) A graphics-based user interface that incorporates movable windows, icons and a mouse. The ability to resize application windows and change style and size of fonts are the significant advantages of a GUI vs. a character-based interface. representation of the current status of all material. "Mercedes Benz US International was looking to extend the functionality of their current wireless infrastructure while addressing the needs on the shop floor," said Mitch Allen, President of interLink Logistics Technologies. "Uniting interLink's wireless materials replenishment system with Mercedes' requirements allowed us to provide greater visibility into the material status, enhanced productivity and a true "Just-in-Time" environment, translating into cost savings. We are very pleased with our partnership with Mercedes Benz, one of the leading automotive manufacturers worldwide and we look forward to extending the relationship in the future." "Partnering with interLink enables Mercedes-Benz increased visibility on the shop floor," said Andy Daffron, IT Manager for Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) is a Daimler AG Mercedes-Benz automobile manufacturing plant in Vance, Alabama. It is located about 34 miles west of Birmingham and about 19 miles east of Tuscaloosa. . "The users have embraced the technology and we have added value Added value in financial analysis of shares is to be distinguished from value added. Used as a measure of shareholder value, calculated using the formula:
interLink Logistics Technologies representatives and executives will be on hand Aug. 30-31 at the AUTO-TECH 2005 conference in Detroit, booth #513, to demonstrate the combined offering, providing real-world examples of how lean manufacturing Lean manufacturing is the production of goods using less of everything compared to mass production: less human effort, less manufacturing space, less investment in tools, and less engineering time to develop a new product. and just-in-time environments can benefit from a wireless two-way communication Two-way communication is a form of transmission in which both parties involved transmit information. Common forms of two-way communication are:
About interLink interLink Logistics Technologies is a leading supplier of wireless hardware platforms, integration and professional services (job) professional services - A department of a supplier providing consultancy and programming manpower for the supplier's products. . Company offerings cross multiple vertical applications and serve as an enabler for improving enterprise applications. InterLink is dedicated to providing technology that improves Supply Chain Execution and enhances Visibility. Whether the application is in Manufacturing, Transportation & Logistics, Healthcare, or Retail, interLink is uniquely positioned to provide a "one-stop" shop solution for the selection, integration and support process. InterLink's vast experience in the implementation of wireless technology and its total commitment to customer satisfaction provides customers with the assurance of seamless integration An addition of a new application, routine or device that works smoothly with the existing system. It implies that the new feature or program can be installed and used without problems. Contrast with "transparent," which implies that there is no discernible change after installation. and quicker value realization. interLink Logistics Technologies has offices in Atlanta, Detroit and Dallas. For additional information visit www.interlinktech.net. |
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