The current issue of Automation.com includes a feature article
by contributing editor, Thomas R. Cutler about ERP and CAD
integration in the ETO (Engineer-to-Order) Environment.
According to Cutler's feature, traditional ERP systems were
developed for the repetitive, make-to-stock manufacturer, where
there is a clear demarcation between design and production. In
that environment the engineer designs the product in a CAD
application. After testing and prototyping, the product is
released to production, which is managed by the ERP system. The
design engineer has little or no interaction with the ERP system
and works quite happily in a CAD environment. Following the work
of the design engineer, a production engineer then creates a
bill of materials (BOM), based on how it will be manufactured,
not on how the product is designed. In the Engineer-to-Order
(ETO) world the role of the design engineer is very different.
By its nature an ETO company builds a unique product designed to
meet the specification of a single customer. The two worlds of
design and manufacturing are closely linked. In many cased the
design of the product continues through the product process
(design-in-process), incorporating a multitude of engineering
changes. These changes can be driven by the customer or by the
manufacturer. In this environment a seamless flow of data
between engineering and production is critical. An ETO company
must integrate CAD and ERP.
Automation.com is for manufacturers and suppliers of industrial,
factory and process automation, motion control, machine control,
process control and instrumentation products and services.
Automation.com attracts engineers, programmers, designers,
technicians and other professionals who specify, purchase and
use control systems, software, robotics, sensors and other
supporting products to automate machines, equipment and
factories in both discrete and continuous manufacturing
processes.
Thomas R. Cutler, who founded the Manufacturing Media Consortium
in 1999, has grown the participation from 300 journalists to
more than two thousands key clients, journalists, editors,
trendsetters, and key business leaders worldwide. Cutler has
authored more than 1000 articles for a wide range of
manufacturing periodicals, industrial publications, and business
journals including most of the leading monthly trade
publications. Cutler is the author of The Manufacturers' Public
Relations and Media Guide. Cutler was voted #1 Manufacturing
Journalist for the third year in a row. The firm has forty-two
employees worldwide. TR Cutler, Inc., (www.trcutlerinc.com/, is
the nation's largest manufacturing marketing and public
relations firm, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
TR Cutler, Inc. www.trcutlerinc.com Thomas Cutler 954-486-7562
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