SoftSolutions News

2008

July 2008 – Cycle Systems selects FLEX to automate & integrate data collection and Performance Tracking across its Recycling scales.

FLEX replaces manual paperwork and potential human error with real-time visibility on the retail/peddler scales process. FLEX integrates directly with a standard scale head to automatically generate a customer Ticket. Each line item is weighed on the scale and automatically recorded by FLEX. Additional security is provided with an automated interface to a network camera that stores images that are linked directly with the customer Ticket. Customer Ticket data is automatically passed to the Recy front-office system for payment.

June 2008 – Thomson-Shore expands FLEX into the Press Room.

Thomson-Shore has selected FLEX as its Press Management system for its new high speed Web Press. After a successful start-up of FLEX in the Bindery on the Muller Martini Bolero Line, Thomson-Shore sees advantages for having a consistent set of real-time OEE-based performance metrics visible in the Press Room.

March 2008 – Thomson-Shore selects FLEX to automate & integrate data collection and Performance Tracking on its latest book binding finishing line from Muller Martini.

FLEX replaces manual paperwork with real-time visibility on the production line's OEE-based Key Performance Indicators of Uptime, Line Speed, and Material Yields using a direct machine interface to the equipment. A dual FLEX-Box collector configuration will be used to capture gross counts from the initial Gatherer machine and good counts from the final Trimmer machine.

February 2008 – SoftSolutions announces the release of v4.1 of FLEX with significant enhancements for data management and business intelligence.

The distributed database architecture of v4.1 enables FLEX Console PCs to replicate real-time data collected from each remote FLEX-Box collector back to the central FLEX-Server. Royalty free Digital Dashboard technology is now included in v4.1, providing highly cost-effective real-time performance feedback via user-friendly gauges, charts, and graphs.

January 2008 – Sheridan Books expands FLEX across its remaining Web Presses.

Manual paperwork is replaced with a fully automated workflow for downloading Job Targets via a web-browser and automatically collecting Time & Material metrics by Job directly from production equipment. OEE based 'scores' are automatically calculated for each Job ran on the press, with individual scores for Uptime, Speed, and Material Yield. FLEX Count Control is utilized to maintain accurate and consistent material usage and 'sig balance' across each high-speed press. FLEX communicates performance expectations directly from Sheridan's ERP systems with the operators via the browser-based FLEX-Timesheet module.

2007

December 2007 – Muller Martini, a world-leader in Print finishing equipment, selects SoftSolutions' FLEX data integration software to automate & integrate the collection of OEM Commissioning metrics.

FLEX automates the collection of OEE based Performance metrics of Setup Time, Run Time, Run Speed, Material Yield, and Downtime to assist in the certification process of new bindery finishing equipment. A dual-data collector configuration in FLEX enables multiple jobs to start on integrated finishing lines where one job may 'tail out' while the next job goes into setup.

October 2007 – Massimo Zanetti (former Sara Lee Coffee & Tea) selects SoftSolutions' FLEX enterprise integration software for its Manufacturing Execution System (MES).

Real-time information captured directly from production equipment is tracked against the production schedule downloaded from Massimo's JD Edwards ERP system. FLEX provides Production personnel with real-time feedback on order status, recipe blends, material tracking, and genealogy by Lots. FLEX genealogy data provides mission critical information in the case of a product recall or quality issue.

August 2007 – Volvo expands FLEX for its Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to enable real-time tracking of materials and order status across its entire cab manufacturing process.

Detailed information captured directly from production equipment is tracked against the production schedule downloaded from Volvo's mainframe ERP system. FLEX provides Production personnel with additional insights on bottlenecks and upcoming schedule demands via a web browser intranet interface.

June 2007 – Sheridan Books, a premier Book Printer, utilizes FLEX as their Performance Tracking & Count Control software on their latest Timsons' Web Press.

Production Job targets are downloaded automatically from Sheridan's ERP systems with results collected directly from the equipment, eliminating costly time wasted by operators' manual typing at the computer.

June 2007 – Timsons Press, a world-leader in Web Printing Presses, selects SoftSolutions' FLEX data integration & automation software for use as their OEM Press Management Software.

FLEX will provide both Performance Analysis of critical metrics such as Setup Times, Run Times, Run Speeds, Yields, and Downtimes - as well as mission critical Count Control for shutting off the web press at target 'Finish Good' count as a function of speed.

May 2007 – SoftSolutions announces the release of v4.0 of FLEX with an expansion of its 'Target-based Management' framework.

The three core components of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), Uptime, Speed, and Material Yield, have been incorporated into the FLEX-Timesheet module. Each job pass on the FLEX-Timesheet provides automated, real-time feedback on performance against these OEE metrics. An OEE-based FLEX-Points 'score' is calculated for each job, operator, shift, and area.

March 2007 – Arkay Packaging expands FLEX across their entire press room to automate & integrate timesheet job cost data automatically from presses into their 4D ERP database system running on a Macintosh based server.

Manual, hand written timesheets are replaced with Web-based timesheets running on Arkay's existing Mac PCs in the Press Room. Timesheet data is collected directly from Sheet fed printing presses.

February 2007 – Volvo selects SoftSolutions' FLEX data integration software for mission critical Production Control to accurately route and track Cabs through their Paint manufacturing process.

Real-time data is available for viewing and editing via a pass-word protected Web-based reporting system.