Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence Software (EMI) Information
Enterprise manufacturing intelligence (EMI) software provides real-time information about manufacturing processes. EMI software helps businesses optimize the performance of these processes and maximize yields. Manufacturing analytics are statistical and rule-based.
Features
EMI software aggregates and analyzes production data, provides role-based visualization, and helps personnel reduce production waste. EMI software also enables users to:
- improve manufacturing processes
- identify best practices
- react to exceptions and events
- anticipate potential problems before they affect parameters such as quality, yield, or cost
EMI software is often grouped with performance management software, plant management software, and factory management software. Typically, embedded applications are used to perform device-level diagnostics for production equipment and manufacturing systems. As a rule, production analytics are statistically-based and used to identify significant events. EMI software also provides trend and threshold analysis, key performance indicator (KPI) alerts, downtime analysis, process verification, and process optimization. In some production environments, EMI software is used to develop predictive systems and knowledge bases.
EMI software provides operational metrics that can be used to reduce production waste, analyze causes of manufacturing problems, and combine operations data with enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications. Other uses for EMI software include process monitoring and improvement, regulatory compliance, and supply chain certification. Most EMI software is Web-based or designed to run on personal computers (PCs) and workstations.
Applications
Embedded applications may use serial communications protocols such as RS232, RS422, and RS485. Choices may also include Ethernet, DeviceNet, and controller area network bus (CANbus). Control limits can be entered manually or controlled automatically. EMI software provides users with graphs, charts, and histograms for statistical analysis and predictive modeling. Some EMI applications also have spreadsheet-like features for data entry. Users can enter data directly or cut and paste information. Typically, EMI software provides two types of control charts: variable and attribute. EMI software with variable control charts shows information about:
- range
- standard deviation
- moving average
- moving range
- cumulative sum
- exponentially-weighted moving average
EMI software with attribute control charts display the percent defective, number defective, total defects, and defects per unit.
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Image credit:
Siemens PLM Software / CC BY-SA 2.0