Automation World: Can the software handle complex workflows and adapt to the unique requirements of different manufacturing industries?
Boulanger: Absolutely. Workflows can make decisions based on parameters without human intervention. If the process is mappable on paper, it can be implemented in workflow software. For example, if a humidity test is within acceptable parameters, production continues. However, if humidity starts to approach the upper limit, but is not out of spec, notifications can go to staff to inform them if action is required immediately or if they should simply monitor the situation. Bottom line, if you can speak a work process in sequence and verbalize decision processes, then the process can be handled in workflow software.
Hackman: Through years of working with workflows, I’ve not seen a workflow too complex for modern software. Workflow software is configurable to meet the needs of complex processes, including those requiring data from other sources. Workflow platforms can integrate with multiple back-end systems and connect workflows to extend outside the company and interface directly with customers and suppliers.
As for adapting to the different industries, the answer is yes. Many processes are common regardless of industry and, even when an industry has a unique need, the ability of workflow platforms to integrate with other solutions makes adapting easy.
For example, the route to market is different between an automotive OEM, a consumer goods manufacturer and an industrial equipment manufacturer. One sells services through a dealer channel, one sells through a retailer or even direct to consumers and the other sells business-to-business, respectively. Via integrations, adapting to different audiences is a breeze.
The key to success is implementation. For software to be effective, manufacturers must have a good understanding of how their processes work, their user requirements and the systems they integrate with. And the data they use must be accurate. If all that’s done, then the sky is the limit.
Automation World: How does workflow software integrate with existing manufacturing systems, e.g., ERP, MES, SCM?
Boulanger: Workflows eliminate reliance on people to perform the interface between systems. Workflows can store data into databases, call APIs or drop files in specific locations as a human would do manually. Almost any way a manufacturing system is integrated, it can be interfaced with workflow software.
Hackman: Workflow software is typically viewed as the system of action, or the system where work gets done. It’s not the system of record where master data and transactions occur, e.g., orders, billing or inventory. Therefore, via integration tools, master data and transaction data are pulled from the system of record as needed to support the processes residing in the workflow software.
Commonly, data is sent back to the system of record for updating. If a delivery date change on an order is requested, for example, order data is pulled from the source ERP and presented to the customer in workflow software. The customer changes the order date, and the revised date is then sent back to the system of record and the data is updated in the source system.