ERP Manufacturing

Process Manufacturing Software

When a production line kicks into gear something has to run the show.  In 2011, that something is Process manufacturing software.  Research and development has worked on the product, engineering has designed the manufacturing process and programmers have written the routines that will be fed into the computer systems that run the assembly lines.  

Driven by process manufacturing software, a product goes through all the stages from raw materials or individual pieces/parts to finished product, whatever that may be.  Built in to this process manufacturing software are tools or utility that reach beyond the confines of the assembly line.  These tools can perform a variety of functions from inspection and quality control, order picking and inventory management to distribution, shipping and billing.

Process manufacturing software is the spine which keeps the rest of the body moving.  An organic analogy is completely appropriate to the discussion here as the slightest injury or smallest infection of the spine can paralyze the entire body. This is also true when it comes to process manufacturing software.

The system must be continually protected.  Regular maintenance (exercise) adds muscle and builds strength.  Process manufacturing software and the production line that it operates, can be adversely affected without regular updates. Security updates.  In recent years, attacks on systems that operate production facilities have been becoming more and more common. All too often, security updates get missed by IT professionals busy putting out other fires.

More and more, automating updates to process manufacturing software and other software systems in a company’s infrastructure is becoming a common practice.  Cyber attacks are becoming so frequent that individuals have become overwhelmed by the continuous need to push out updates.

When a production line is attacked by a virus or worm, production shuts down but the company is often obligated to keep paying its employees.  Not only does it cost the company real dollars in terms of wages but costs build up exponentially with every dollar lost by the product not being made, parts sitting unassembled, production lines lying idle and so on.  

The Nimda virus attack cost manufacturing billions worldwide. Because some businesses had not yet gotten to pushing out the Microsoft security update, they became paralyzed for days.  Process manufacturing software is vital to the well-being of the entire company and so tending to its care, feeding and protection.  Process manufacturing software that allows for automated maintenance can greatly reduce a company’s security risks and safeguard profitability.

Written by :

kristine H