Smart Factory Integration
Blog Post 10.03.02 - Integrate Shop Floor with Engineering, MES and ERP
Increase engineering and manufacturing productivity with Two-Way Smart Engineering, MES, and ERP Software Integration. Read More ...
Global Edge Video Blog-10.03
Integrate Shop Floor with Engineering, MES and ERP
Global Edge Engineering Assistant provides an innovative approach to integrate CAD and ERP with the shop floor. This starts with an "Engineering & Manufacturing Data Warehouse" that is the foundation of Global Edge Engineering Assistant. This is coupled with a SolidWorks CAD Interface and a Configurable ERP Interface that integrates both CAD and ERP software including two-way integration with CAM and MES software.
This delivers an engineering and manufacturing information infrastructure that delivers accurate and timely information when and where needed. Features and benefits provided by Global Edge Engineering Assistant include:
This delivers an engineering and manufacturing information infrastructure that delivers accurate and timely information when and where needed. Features and benefits provided by Global Edge Engineering Assistant include:
- Single Version of Truth Engineering & Manufacturing Data Warehouse
- Dynamic, Real-Time Link Between CAD and ERP
- Filtering Capabilities that Eliminate Duplication of Information
- Two-Way Integration with CAM and MES
Software Components / Information Generated & Exchanged
The integration provided by Global Edge Engineering Assistant includes direct integration and referencing of the following information:
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
- Customer / Vendor Records
- Part / Assembly Numbers
- Bill of Materials (Engineering & Manufacturing)
- Routings / Cost Rollups
- Sales / Job Orders (includes Hot Parts / Rush Orders)
- Production Schedule / Results
- Material / Process / Labor Costs
MES (Manufacturing Execution System)
- Job Orders
- Bend Programs / Laser Nestings
- Production Schedule / Results
CAD (Computer Aided Design)
- Part / Assembly Files
- Drawing / DXF Flat Files
- CAD / Engineering Bill of Materials (Excel Files)
CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing)
- NC / Bend Programs
- Laser Nestings
- Production Schedules
PDM (Product Data Management)
- CAD Part / Assembly Files
- MS Word / Excel Documents
- PDF Files
- Image / Video Files
Excel Spreadsheets
- Quoting Spreadsheets
- Bill of Materials / Routing Spreadsheets
- Orders / Job Spreadsheets
- Purchasing / Pricing Spreadsheets
CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
- Customer Records
- Sales Quotes
Seamless Integration of Shop Floor, Engineering, MES, and ERP Systems
Driving Productivity with Two-Way Smart Software Integration and the Global Edge Engineering Assistant
In today’s fast-paced manufacturing environment, agility and precision are essential for maintaining a competitive advantage. Bridging the gap between engineering, manufacturing execution, and enterprise resource planning systems is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity. Integrating the shop floor with Engineering, MES (Manufacturing Execution System), and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) platforms elevates productivity, ensures data fidelity, and accelerates innovation across the enterprise.
The Need for Two-Way Smart Integration
Modern manufacturing organizations are increasingly reliant on a complex ecosystem of software solutions. However, silos between Engineering (often managed in CAD and PLM systems), the Shop Floor (driven by MES and CAM), and overarching business processes (handled by ERP) can lead to costly information gaps, duplication of effort, and errors in production. Two-Way Smart Integration connects these domains, enabling real-time data flow and collaboration.
- Engineering systems (CAD/PLM): Manage product design, revisions, and detailed specifications.
- MES: Orchestrates shop floor activities, monitors production, and collects real-time data from machines and operators.
- ERP: Manages resources, inventory, procurement, and overall business processes.
Alignment across these domains ensures engineering changes are instantly reflected on the shop floor, while manufacturing feedback informs design and business planning. The result is a dynamic, resilient organization equipped to respond to challenges and opportunities.
Global Edge Engineering Assistant: An Innovative Integration Solution
At the heart of this transformation is Global Edge Engineering Assistant, a suite engineered to deliver seamless integration between CAD, MES, CAM, and ERP platforms. What sets this solution apart is its foundation: the Engineering & Manufacturing Data Warehouse—a single, authoritative source for all engineering and production data.
Key Architectural Components
- Engineering & Manufacturing Data Warehouse: Serves as the single version of truth, consolidating all relevant data in one location. This eliminates errors from version conflicts and redundant records.
- SolidWorks CAD Interface: Provides a dynamic, real-time link between engineering design and manufacturing operations. Design changes are propagated directly into production workflows, and manufacturing insights can be relayed back to engineering.
- Configurable ERP Interface: Offers extensive integration with ERP systems, supporting two-way communication and automated synchronization of engineering data with business processes.
- Two-Way Integration with CAM and MES: Ensures that manufacturing instructions, machine code, and real-time shop floor feedback are tightly aligned with engineering and business goals.
Features and Benefits
Global Edge Engineering Assistant is designed to empower organizations to work smarter, faster, and with greater accuracy:
- Single Version of Truth: With an integrated data warehouse, every stakeholder operates from the same accurate, up-to-date information—eliminating misunderstandings and preventing costly mistakes.
- Dynamic, Real-Time Connectivity: CAD and ERP systems remain in constant communication, so changes made in engineering are instantly recognized by manufacturing and business teams.
- Advanced Filtering Capabilities: Custom filtering ensures only relevant data is transferred, reducing information overload and eliminating duplication across systems.
- Two-Way Integration with CAM and MES: Facilitates continuous feedback, enabling engineering teams to optimize designs based on actual shop floor performance, while manufacturing teams receive the most current, validated instructions.
- Improved Productivity: By streamlining workflows and reducing manual data entry, engineering and manufacturing teams can focus on value-added activities and innovation.
- Timely and Accurate Information: Decision makers receive the precise data they need, when and where they need it, supporting better planning, resource allocation, and responsiveness.
Conclusion
Integrating shop floor operations with engineering and business systems through Two-Way Smart Integration delivers a robust foundation for digital transformation. Global Edge Engineering Assistant brings together the best of CAD, ERP, CAM, and MES, creating a harmonized information infrastructure that powers greater efficiency, agility, and competitive advantage. With a unified source of truth and intelligent automation, organizations can boldly advance toward the future of smart manufacturing.