Any IT gurus, Network guys or Database Engineers here on FNN?

[sansou]

I have a bit of a strange question, but what I am looking for is if anyone knows of a 3rd party software party database program which can transfer data from Oracle and Agile (from 3rd party software to Oracle/Agile, and /or Oracle/Agile to 3rd party program) to create a "traveller" document for a low volume manufacturing environment. The program needs to have some reporting capabilities. Similar to but not Famis, Promis and SFC. (cost concerns...those programs literally cost millions).

It's a longshot asking on a fishing message board, but I know some of you guys are in this field of work, and maybe you have experience or know of such a tool which will help something I am working on.

Hoping there is something out there rather than commisioning some programmers to make a custom database program. You know how much of a PITA than can be, no to mention $$.

Thanks!

[TopwaterTony]

I have only worked with Oracle in my undergrad, but have pretty extensive use of MSSQL and MySQL under my belt. My first question would be what sort of data storage is used in the 3rd party application? Also I have never heard of Agile, but a quick google yields that Oracle aquired Agile, which is a product lifecycle management software? Same one??? Anyhow if we are talking about moving data from one storage medium to another (ie. Oracle to Oracle, Oracle to MSSQL, Oracle to MySQL) I am sure there are some open source tools to do such. If you are talking about moving and utilizing the same functionality of the DB for the 3rd party application as a hole, that might be another can of worms. And not the bait kind :-) I am not sure what you mean by traveller document. PM me if you like

[sansou]

Topwater Tony,

Thanks for the response.

To clarify, yes, Agile is a PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) tool. In the context of what we are doing is simply re-manufacturing a complicated widget (that has already been deployed to clients, but is being sent back for ugrade/repair/reprogramming). The current process is far from a "Lean" process. As it stands it is a grossly outdated work flow process in which a physical piece of paper and file system is being used. For example, if a client were to inquire at what stage the widget is at in re-manufacturing process, one would need to physically track down the widget, ask the technician, and then physically re-type /email what has been done and what remains to be done. Likewise, as the product enters the factory, there is no automated ability to immediately trigger materials production to make sure certain components are available, much less alert the buyers that they may need to order said componentry.

As it stands, a lot of data has been inputed to Oracle at the original manufacturing stage, and updated as the product is in the field. However, when the product comes back for re-manufacturing, beyond scanning or inputing the client's perceived problems with the widget, there is nothing that provides realtime tracking of the widget thru the re-manufacturing process (and again, no automated triggering for materials/buyers, much less any ability to efficiently glean data (what was done, what components, which class of widgets, lifecycle until return to client etc...)in one nice database which could be used to provide projections. So far, all is done via Excel spreadsheets, which is archaic.

Thus, what we seek is a piece of software that will migrate certain fields of data from Oracle, create a separate e-file (a traveling file that stays with the product while it is being re-manufactured) that will be realtime posted at a secured web portal, so that (a) the client can answer his own questions, (b) no physical files (c) management can make cost projections (d) engineers can see the metrics re: failure rates etc... and (d) allows planners to incorporate lean management techniques and reduce cycle.

All the product's data at time of original manufacture is in Oracle already. All is needed is a 3rd party program that can pull certain fields from Oracle, but also create what is known in manufacturing as a "traveler" file:

The actual traveler file would be simple (time product entered factory), an explanation from the client of the perceived failure or upgrade sought, along with fields in which the various technicians could enter what work was done at what time, and finally a signoff from Test and QC, culminating with the planners notifying shipping and the client that the product is being shipped back. In the end, all the old and new re-manufacture data of that particular widget is put back into Oracle.

Some of the PLM software looked at has this componentry, but at a truly exhorbitant price, and would require the current IT doofuses (one of whom is supposedly an Oracle specialist) months and months just to understand it themselves. In addition, we don't need the whole package (from say Promis) that vertically integrates ALL the phases of manufacturing. What we are concerned with here is simply re-manufacturing.

The unfortunate (or fortunate if you are shareholder) part of this is to kill a few jobs and gain true efficiency and cut down client complaints, and implement a lean process. My success is predicated on my ability to get this accomplished quickly and cheaply as a lawyer donning a business consulting hat, while upper management sorts out their leadership issues. Speaking with a couple IT people already, I am being told I need to talk to software analysts or other business consultants.

I have a hard time believing there isn't a malleable 3rd party piece of software that can interface with widely used Oracle, under $250K that can accomplish this simple task.

As a non-computer kind of guy, am I asking much?

Thanks!

[sansou]

Topwater Tony,

Thanks for the response.

To clarify, yes, Agile is a PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) tool. In the context of what we are doing is simply re-manufacturing a complicated widget (that has already been deployed to clients, but is being sent back for ugrade/repair/reprogramming). The current process is far from a "Lean" process. As it stands it is a grossly outdated work flow process in which a physical piece of paper and file system is being used. For example, if a client were to inquire at what stage the widget is at in re-manufacturing process, one would need to physically track down the widget, ask the technician, and then physically re-type /email what has been done and what remains to be done. Likewise, as the product enters the factory, there is no automated ability to immediately trigger materials production to make sure certain components are available, much less alert the buyers that they may need to order said componentry.

As it stands, a lot of data has been inputed to Oracle at the original manufacturing stage, and updated as the product is in the field. However, when the product comes back for re-manufacturing, beyond scanning or inputing the client's perceived problems with the widget, there is nothing that provides realtime tracking of the widget thru the re-manufacturing process (and again, no automated triggering for materials/buyers, much less any ability to efficiently glean data (what was done, what components, which class of widgets, lifecycle until return to client etc...)in one nice database which could be used to provide projections. So far, all is done via Excel spreadsheets, which is archaic.

Thus, what we seek is a piece of software that will migrate certain fields of data from Oracle, create a separate e-file (a traveling file that stays with the product while it is being re-manufactured) that will be realtime posted at a secured web portal, so that (a) the client can answer his own questions, (b) no physical files (c) management can make cost projections (d) engineers can see the metrics re: failure rates etc... and (d) allows planners to incorporate lean management techniques and reduce cycle.

All the product's data at time of original manufacture is in Oracle already. All is needed is a 3rd party program that can pull certain fields from Oracle, but also create what is known in manufacturing as a "traveler" file:

The actual traveler file would be simple (time product entered factory), an explanation from the client of the perceived failure or upgrade sought, along with fields in which the various technicians could enter what work was done at what time, and finally a signoff from Test and QC, culminating with the planners notifying shipping and the client that the product is being shipped back. In the end, all the old and new re-manufacture data of that particular widget is put back into Oracle.

Some of the PLM software looked at has this componentry, but at a truly exhorbitant price, and would require the current IT doofuses (one of whom is supposedly an Oracle specialist) months and months just to understand it themselves. In addition, we don't need the whole package (from say Promis) that vertically integrates ALL the phases of manufacturing. What we are concerned with here is simply re-manufacturing.

The unfortunate (or fortunate if you are shareholder) part of this is to kill a few jobs and gain true efficiency and cut down client complaints, and implement a lean process. My success is predicated on my ability to get this accomplished quickly and cheaply as a lawyer donning a business consulting hat, while upper management sorts out their leadership issues. Speaking with a couple IT people already, I am being told I need to talk to software analysts or other business consultants.

I have a hard time believing there isn't a malleable 3rd party piece of software that can interface with widely used Oracle, under $250K that can accomplish this simple task.

As a non-computer kind of guy, am I asking much?

Thanks!

[victor101]

SPAM!


lol j/k...Mucho viento en san quintin! fishing with kelly tomorrow morning!