Mill technology utilization--a holistic approach.As capital intensive manufacturing companies strive to get the most from their investments, they can use technology to take an integrated approach to operation, monitoring, and control of their manufacturing facilities. Information technology (IT) has evolved so that the lines between lower level process control, mid-level mill control/Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES (Manufacturing Execution Software) Software that provides real time access to plant activities that include equipment, labor, orders and inventory. An MES integrates the data with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems so that management has complete control of ) and higher level enterprise systems have become blurred blur v. blurred, blur·ring, blurs v.tr. 1. To make indistinct and hazy in outline or appearance; obscure. 2. To smear or stain; smudge. 3. . The time sensitivity of decision-making data at each level is still the key definition of what level an IT system falls into. The integration of decisions made at each level allows process control/monitoring information to be tied to machine performance. MES level integration with enterprise systems allows for manufacturing to be tied to business performance metrics Performance metrics are measures of an organizations activities and performance. Performance metrics should support a range of stakeholder needs from customers, shareholders to employees [1]. . This article discusses how UPM UPM Universidad Politécnica de Madrid UPM Universiti Putra Malaysia UPM University of the Philippines - Manila UPM Unit Production Manager (film and video production) UPM User Profile Management UPM United People's Movement used a "holistic" IT solution and monitoring service The general surveillance of known air traffic movements by reference to a radar scope presentation or other means, for the purpose of passing advisory information concerning conflicting traffic or providing navigational assistance. approach to their MES system implementation at the Kajaani mill in Finland. The goal was to improve operational efficiencies and better leverage technology investments. UPM's approach of piloting the services program with a specific set of metrics metrics Managed care A popular term for standards by which the quality of a product, service, or outcome of a particular form of Pt management is evaluated. See TQM. allowed them to set realistic expectations of benefits and be confident in the overall outcome. The monitoring and management service (MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) An enhanced transmission service that enables graphics, video clips and sound files to be transmitted via cellphones. Developed as part of the 3GPP project, MMS phones are generally backward compatible with SMS and EMS. ) concept has been developed by TietoEnator to guarantee availability of the MES and ensure that smooth rollouts of software maintenance/upgrades will produce cost savings. END-TO-END SERVICES PILOT PROJECT TietoEnator and UPM entered a strategic partnership in 2002, with the goal of harmonizing mill management processes by standardizing MES functionality. The project resulted in successful implementation of a comprehensive Global MES template. The template is based on the TietoEnator Integrated Paper Solution (TIPS), a software suite for the pulp, paper, paperboard paperboard, material similiar in shape and composition to paper, but generally thicker, stronger, and more rigid. Paper machines, e.g., Fourdrinier machines, are used to make sheets of paperboard. , and tissue industries. The TIPS solution includes production planning Production planning The function of a manufacturing enterprise responsible for the efficient planning, scheduling, and coordination of all production activities. and tracking, warehouse management, and quality control, among other features. A high level MMS has been added to TIPS, resulting in a set of tightly linked services providing measurable business value. The monitoring template enables scalability to meet different system requirements To be used efficiently, all computer software needs certain hardware components or other software resources to be present on a computer system. These pre-requisites are known as (computer) system requirements and are often used as a guideline as opposed to an absolute rule. and multiple users. "Customer needs, technological development, and our own product development may also add new features," explained Jukka Salo, vice president, TietoEnator Forest. The service concept is also globally repeatable. TietoEnator has made it part of all new TIPS rollouts. "Monitoring and Management Services will be part of every TIPS delivery. Existing customers can also add the service to their TIPS solutions," said Salo. NEW MES SYSTEM The UPM Kajaani mill had long waited for an upgrade of its MES system. TietoEnator had responsibility for delivery of the MES solution and support services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services . Both the MES and the monitoring and management service were started simultaneously. "Although running the two projects at the same time was quite a challenge, the monitoring rollout was successful," said Jyrki Auvinen, IT manager at the UPM Kajaani mill. The mill already had a monitoring system as part of its maintenance system before MES was implemented, but UPM wanted more integration and greater reliability. "The monitoring and management project was twofold. We wanted the basic monitoring service ready in the MES rollout, but we also had some development ideas to improve the MMS and add value to our operations," observed Auvinen. MAJOR BENEFITS The main benefit of the monitoring and management service lies in the high levels of availability with the MES system and cost savings in maintaining it. Auvinen feels the MMS is important in terms of both business operations Business operations are those activities involved in the running of a business for the purpose of producing value for the stakeholders. Compare business processes. The outcome of business operations is the harvesting of value from assets and IT resources. "The MES system is a business-crucial system, and we wanted to ensure smooth-running production with reasonable costs. The key is being able to react to any abnormalities early enough," stated Auvinen. A significant cost benefit of using the MMS comes from the option of planning maintenance measures. TietoEnator's Service Desk can also take care of malfunctions, usually before they occur. "Cost-wise, the other important objective was to optimize the use of our IT staff. When they no longer need to run routine maintenance errands, they can concentrate on more business-crucial issues," stated Auvinen. THE BOTTOM LINE UPM is using a holistic approach holistic approach A term used in alternative health for a philosophical approach to health care, in which the entire Pt is evaluated and treated. See Alternative medicine, Holistic medicine. of integrating solutions and services with a partner they feel confident can deliver for implementation of their MES solution. IT investments can allow capital intensive manufacturing companies to get the maximum return from their capital equipment investments, but only if the systems are available and employees have confidence in their integrity. Reliability of the mid level MES solution will allow UPM to further integrate manufacturing information to enterprise systems down the road and will improve business performance of its Kajaani Mill operations for years to come. TED MCDERMOTT, SOLUTIONS! EDITORIAL BOARD |
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