Summer is a season know for bringing the heat. For many of us working-types, that heat can take the form of reporting and analytics on a business’ latest efforts and performance over time. Unfortunately, that’s not a heat we can avoid in our climate-controlled, AC-cooled offices, desks, and cubicles. However, that heat can be beaten and you can get more done, faster with XL Connect 7. Knowing you got the job completed right in a fraction of the time leaves more time for doing the things you love. Like budgeting. Right? No, just me? Well, you can give your business a leg up and potentially to steal a few more hours of summer sun now that Epicor XL Connect 7 is on sale at a rate of 20% off. Leverage this powerful tool to reap the benefits of self-service reporting and analytics, nested in the user-friendly environment of Microsoft® Excel®.
Epicor XL Connect 7 Sale – 20% Off
Customers who have not used Epicor XL Connect previously get a 20% off the list price on license price or subscription when buying Epicor XL Connect 7.
Customers already using Epicor XL Connect 7 get a 20% off the list price on license price or subscription when buying additional users.
Contact your Customer Account Manager using the link below for further details.
Hurry! Special offer expires 8/31/19.
What is Epicor XL Connect 7?
Epicor XL Connect 7 is a self-service reporting and analytics solution that allows users to engage with their data in the familiar ecosystem of Microsoft® Excel®. The built-in query tool and drag-and-drop interface solve the universal problem of relying on others to create customized reports. It works with your Epicor and Microsoft Excel data sources and includes intuitive features that allow business users to answer many of their own questions. For the analysts, XL Connect 7 means that manual and ad hoc reports can be automated in a matter of minutes—saving time for more critical activities.
Epicor XL Connect 7 makes it easy for users to create and refresh information in Excel. Combining Epicor data with additional lookup and calculations, you get the answers you need without the usual challenges of gathering and refreshing the data sources.
The perfect solution for both the analyst and the business user, XL Connect 7 is a game-changer in the way you and your company manage reporting. Build reports in minutes, utilize templates, and create interactive reports for detailed drill-downs and analysis from existing spreadsheets and Epicor data—all within Microsoft Excel.
Epicor XL Connect 7 includes enhanced data protection, so you have peace of mind knowing your data is secure and that users can only access the data you want them to see.
Epicor XL Connect 7 Benefits For The Business Analyst
When it comes to the benefits of Epicor XL Connect 7 for the business analyst, the biggest benefit emerges with the tool’s ability to leverage all Excel data. Not only this, but Epicor XL Connect 7 facilitates the real-time automatic connection to all your Epicor data. the result is a consolidation of company information drawn from multiple data sources. Additionally, there is built-in functionality that allows users to automatically create pivot tables for more detailed analysis. By incorporating this useful tool, business analysts can significantly reduce the amount of time spent creating routine and ad hoc reports.
Epicor XL Connect 7 Benefits For The Business User
When it comes to the benefits of Epicor XL Connect 7 for the business user, activities take place in Excel and remain in excel. This delivers the familiarity of Office productivity while contributing to the Epicor data your teams need for business intelligence and analysis. The tool provides the ability to creates ad hoc reports, functions, and analysis while also giving more detail behind the numbers with the ability to drill down into data. Access to data is provided anytime, anywhere with fully interactive reports—even offline.
Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm, NetSuite Solution Provider and Epicor Gold Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing the emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of Industry.
When it comes to medical device manufacturing, the FDA has maintained rigorous standards for manufacturers to satisfy. Traceability, quality management, and reporting are among the many areas in that manufacturers need superior performance to meet those standards. The FDA’s push for digital means of achieving and providing a record of how standards are met has many businesses looking to ERP software for medical device manufacturing.
Fortunately, ERP systems have been delivering on these demands and more for decades and are suited to meet the changes in regulatory environments. Such powerful systems help to increase the reliability of processes and reduce instances of failures, recalls, and corrective actions. Not only this, but the benefits of ERP make maintaining compliance and records easier and more cost-effective.
The Benefits Of ERP Software For Medical Device Manufacturing
When it comes to the requirements placed on manufacturers by the FDA, it’s easy to see why ERP is increasingly being leveraged to reduce the difficulty in meeting those obligations.
Data is available at every turn in the manufacturing process and ERP systems can help medical device manufacturers leverage that data in the validation process. This data enables management regulatory obligations, optimization of manufacturing processes, and the resulting increase in customer satisfaction. ERP systems capture this vital information to lessen the risks associated with compliance standards and turn efficiency concepts into real-world results with ease.
How Medical Device Manufacturers Use ERP
Compliance is the top motivator for adopting ERP software for medical device manufacturers. FDA regulations, as well as those for international regulatory bodies, are constantly evolving alongside new technologies, products, and research. ERP provides a means of establishing protocols and processes to satisfy the latest regulations at every stage in the manufacturing life cycle.
Accessibility is another important factor driving the adoption of modern ERP systems. Whether in the board room or on the shop floor, teams need the latest data and documentation to make informed decisions, in real-time. Legacy ERP systems lack the connectivity to this data that modern, cloud-based ERP systems provide. Even sales teams on the road require such access when a customer wants to know how a manufacturer’s products conform to the latest regulations, as well as the proof to back it up.
Auditing is a process required both internally and externally for medical device manufacturers. Audits may be scheduled or conducted at random. In any case, a manufacturer wants to know if they can retrieve and report data on every process in the manufacturing life-cycle. ERP software provides all that in a centralized and secure location.
The tracking and traceability ERP software provides will ensure that each stage of the manufacturing process comes with oversight. Easy-to-follow audit trails streamline the process and identify where, when, and how problems emerge. Recalls, while never an easy process, are swift and efficient thanks to ERP software that leverages automated lot and serial tracking to keep customers safe and businesses insulated from risk.
Through automation, manufacturers can remove the manual tasks associated with logging data, such as billing and manufacturing execution. This cuts down on human error that causes most delays and downtime in manufacturing and sales cycles. While not necessarily a matter of regulatory compliance, the efficiency ERP software provides in this regard only strengthens the case for its adoption.
FDA Requirements Of ERP Software For Medical Device Manufacturing
The electronic records and signatures requirements set by the FDA are stringent and any system of manufacturing must comply with the regulations to receive approval. The full body and outline of these regulations as they relate to ERP software for medical device manufacturing can be found in 21 CFR part 11 – ELECTRONIC RECORDS; ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES:
Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm, NetSuite Solution Provider, and Epicor Gold Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
When it comes to running a business, everyone has a business management system. Such a system can be as simple as a whiteboard on a breakroom wall but more often will take the form of spreadsheets and emails. These systems may even fall into the category of Enterprise Resource Planning software, even if users don’t know it by that name.
Businesses need to know the point at which they’re outgrowing a homegrown or siloed business management system. Here, we’ll detail What an ERP system is, the benefits derived from those systems, and how to evaluate an ERP system for your business.
What Is Enterprise Resource Planning Software?
ERP software is a means of communicating processes and resources to a business’ personnel. This information is then used by personnel to complete tasks such as how many parts to build for a purchase order or how many orders to fulfill by specified deadlines. The level of depth ERP software provides is virtually limitless.
Why Do Businesses Use ERP Software?
Unfortunately, businesses relying on spreadsheets miss out on putting a lot of their valuable data to use. Not only this, but they divide their teams into siloed departments that leave them working less efficiently. ERP software bridges gaps in communicating processes and resources with personnel. The result is accurate and relevant data delivered to those who need it, in real-time and across departments. Businesses will find ERP applications that enable better communication, increased efficiency, increased order accuracy and fulfillment, reduced inventory and labor costs, and happier customers.
The most modern examples of enterprise resource planning software deliver automation capabilities. Today, ERP software offers virtual assistants, workflow automation capabilities, automated data capture and entry, intelligent robot interfaces, predictive maintenance tools, and systems to connect manufacturing businesses from the shop floor to the top floor.
What Is The best ERP software?
The best ERP software is the one that checks all the boxes, or the most, when it comes to meeting the needs of your business now and into the future. That said, evaluating and selecting the ERP software that’s right for your business is not an overnight decision. Once you’ve decided that a more robust enterprise resource planning system is what you need, begin evaluating options.
The typical ERP evaluation process from the buyer’s end begins with research, then engaging those vendors or their certified resellers, discovery follows to ensure the ERP software is the right fit for a business, then demonstrations, agreements, implementation, and finally training. Some vendors and VARs will stop there, only reaching out to continue selling add-on services and upgrades. However, you will want to find a partnership with experts in the ERP software of your choosing. That’s because these systems will potentially help run your business for decades as you grow and expand. Finding the right fit for both ERP software and partnership among providers is important.
How To Select ERP Software
In short, every business is different and has different needs for ERP software. Though, there are core functionalities that all ERP systems will include, like financials and operations. Beyond that, there are systems geared towards retailers, manufacturers, healthcare, and just about every other industry vertical one can name. That said, no matter what ERP software you may need, there are reliable ways to evaluate ERP software that apply to the evaluation process regardless of industry and purpose.
Don’t get hamstrung by inaccurate data, lost information, and poor response time when unforeseen events take place. When the time is right to choose an ERP system that’s right for your business, big or small, talk to the experts at Encompass Solutions. We’ll connect you with a system that fits your build.
Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm that specializes in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, or renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
We came, we saw, it was awesome. Encompass Solutions’ participation as exhibitors and speakers at Automate 2019 gave us the perfect vantage point from which to experience the show and deliver an Automate 2019 recap.
Here are just a few more happenings from Automate 2019 regarding new advanced robots and robot vendor developments that are rolling out into facilities worldwide.
Automation 2019 Key Takeaways
There were too many things we learned at Automate 2019 to list in one post. However, we want to share a few highlights that we think everyone needs to consider moving forward:
Automation is here and it’s only gaining more momentum as advancements in hardware, software, and utilization become more refined.
If you are not thinking about leveraging automation and robotics, you are already behind.
While many are expecting an economic downturn between 2020-2022, now is still the best time to begin investing in these technologies.
Start small. You don’t have to outfit your entire operation to remain competitive. start with one robot or one instance of automated assembly. build from there.
Empower your staff and involve them in the transformation that is coming.
Focused Automation and Robotics specializations for employees will be necessary, as there will be less and less room for unskilled staff in modernized facilities.
Upskilling current staff will be of greater benefit and lower cost for employers than training and onboarding new staff.=
It’s going to be a hard-fought battle to outpace competitors as automation becomes more affordable and more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises. Start training and experimenting with automation today and you’ll be ready to weather the bout.
ERP At Automate 2019
We spoke with hundreds of users and manufacturers thinking about robotics and automation during the weeklong Automate 2019 event. While the robots and automation enclosures were captivating, to say the least, one thing few seemed to consider during that time was how they were going to connect those robotics and automated systems to the rest of their enterprise. In short, the answer is an ERP solution.
It’s one thing to install a robot on your factory floor to install windshields, make welds, or assemble PCBs. However, what are you doing with that data from your manufacturing processes? Are you even tracking it? By plugging your robotics and automation data into your ERP system, you are getting more detailed accounts of performance, quality, material and time optimization, maintenance cycles, and so much more. Everyone we spoke with, from attendees to exhibitors to organizers, agreed that ERP connectivity is an essential component of automation and robotics on the factory floor. We look forward to carrying those conversations further and urge everyone looking to automate processes or install robots in their facilities to consider the necessity for visibility and connectivity when evaluating such technologies.
Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm and Epicor Gold Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
What’s New in Epicor ERP 10.2.400? A lot is going on behind the scenes at Epicor and the latest release will feature many improvements. You’ll be able to take advantage of several new components of the system as well as improvements to existing modules and tools.
Epicor ERP 10.2.400 Key Features
While the Epicor ERP 10.2.400 update will feature an extensive list of fixes, features, and tools, here is a list of the biggest items being introduced:
Introduction of Epicor Voice Agent
New functionality to enhance the customer experience including automated order entry and omnichannel learning
Refresh and redesign mobile time and expense, job scheduling boards, and MES screens
Deeper project management capabilities and real-time project analysis through Epicor Data Analytics
New common shop floor interface to Mattec Advanced MES via HMI
Introduction of Supplier Portal, which enables customers to better collaborate with suppliers
Introduction of Epicor IoT, a module of Epicor ERP integrated with the Microsoft Azure IoT Hub that can monitor and visualize data from sensors and other Epicor products
You can expect more news about the Epicor ERP 10.2.400 later this month and in early May. Contact Encompass Solutions below for more information.
Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm, NetSuite Solution Provider, Suite Success Partner, and Epicor Gold Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
When it comes to buzzwords, few raise as many eyebrows and roll as many eyes as Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, when it comes to food and beverage manufacturing AI, the impact of such technology on industrial processes becomes harder to ignore with each passing day.
For the uninitiated, AI can be characterized by the ability of machines and computers to emulate human intelligence. That is any device that is seemingly aware of its environment and can complete actions to increase the chances of successfully achieving a goal.
While manufacturers are leveraging disruptive technologies like AI, Robotics, membrane technologies, machine vision, and automation to increase safety, output, and ROI, food and beverage manufacturers may be one of the biggest benefactors from all this technology has to offer.
Food And Beverage Manufacturing AI Benefits
When it comes to the benefits of incorporating food and beverage manufacturing AI into operations, Gartner, a noted global research and advisory firm, predicts that “By 2020, the number of users of modern business intelligence and analytics platforms that are differentiated by augmented data discovery capabilities will grow at twice the rate — and deliver twice the business value — of those that are not.”
Contending with constant change is a crux food and beverage manufacturers know all too well. This isn’t just about the prediction above and emerging technology, either. The industry is rife with fluctuation when it comes to suppliers, regulations and compliance, tax codes, and a host of other environmental factors that manufacturers need to consider.
From data analytics and executive-level predictions to process automation and batch quality, food and beverage manufacturing AI can be applied to many facets of what keeps a business running in optimal condition.
Securing Facilities And Batch Quality With Machine Vision
Recipes and processes are what give food and beverage manufacturers dependable and consistent products. A security that can keep up with today’s modern data theft tools is essential to remain protected. Facial recognition that can secure access to a production facility is just one example of how AI can further protect the intellectual property of manufacturers. The same machine vision technology that can sound an alert that unrecognized intruders are on-site can capture and interpret images to identify products with defects or bottling lines that aren’t securing caps or filling vessels to the appropriate height.
Making Sense Of Sensor Data
IoT devices are constantly feeding data to ERP software and manufacturing execution systems (MES) assisting in process improvement, predictive maintenance, and forecasting, AI can make sense of data much faster than a human can.
Identifying abnormalities before they become blockages in the production process is invaluable and AI’s ability to read and interpret data for warning signs can set your teams to work on maintaining equipment before it fails.
Output, cost, and revenue information can also be compiled by AI to offer decision-makers a clear picture of how operations are faring relative to the global competition. For example, data points derived by the systems in place can flag important information for review, compile reports, direct field service crews, update schedules, and even modify recipe formulations on the fly depending on environmental factors. Imagine being able to adjust ingredient quantities in real time based on the quality of raw ingredients.
Increasing Consumer Confidence with AI And ERP
In the rapidly changing environment of food and beverage manufacturing, maintaining customer confidence is critical to retaining business. AI, Robotics, and ERP all have a hand in ensuring brand consistency and customer trust. For instance, consider regulatory compliance. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is a complex piece of legislation designed to regulate the way foods are grown, harvested, and processed. As a result, every food and beverage manufacturer has to know the components of the law to which they must adhere.
By utilizing intelligent software and refining processes to reduce recalls, lost sales, and legal expenses, businesses can remain more competitive and avoid the potentially fatal mistakes of falling outside of regulation with the products they produce. By enabling superior tracking and traceability alongside more concise testing and validation, advanced technologies can keep such incidents to a minimum, and ensure that when they do arise, they are addressed as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm, NetSuite Solution Provider, and Epicor Platinum Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
In the era of Industry 4.0,automation has been one of the most effective apparatuses driving efficiency for manufacturers. Leveraging automation in manufacturing alongside advanced technologies, like robotics and robotic process automation through ERP software, is enabling even greater gains in productivity to be made each day.
Want to learn more about process automation for your manufacturing business? Contact Encompass to see how we can improve your performance and profitability today.
Modern Manufacturing
Modern manufacturing’s goals can be summarized as an attempt to achieve sustained growth and earnings through building customer loyalty, creating high-value products, and weathering disruption in very dynamic global markets. These are not easy components to juggle all at once. That’s why a basic understanding of the most impactful and accessible aspects of automation currently in use is so important.
Industry 1.0 to Industry 4.0
To talk about automation and modern manufacturing. It’s important to understand how the concepts and practical applications of automation have evolved.
Industry 1.0 introduced mechanization. Also known as the first industrial revolution, Industry 1.0 consisted of water-, steam-, and fossil fuel-powered systems that replaced animal power with machine power.
Industry 2.0 introduced mass production. The second Industrial revolution saw the arrival of Aviation, Radio, and Assembly-line manufacturing, with electricity powering it all.
Industry 3.0 introduced digitization. Industry 3.0 was a massive accomplishment in how productivity was achieved. This was due largely to the invention and adoption of such technologies as computers, the internet, and Information Technology. These tools provided the framework required for modern automation, mass production, and robotics.
Industry 4.0, where we are now, features cyber-physical systems (CPS) in the manufacturing environment. These systems consist of machines, their computer-controlled protocols, and their users working together in unison.
Keep in mind that Industry 5.0 is not far off and modern manufacturers can expect exciting new technologies and process improvements to emerge in the coming years.
Connectivity With The IoT And IIoT
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of connected devices that communicate data to a central system that makes sense of it all.
This network consists of an enterprise’s connected edge devices, terminals, and input/output points. The data captured through this network provides an understanding of what is successful and what is not in terms of operations and processes.
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) puts a focus on this interconnectivity and data provided by the terminals, sensors, and other systems on the factory floor.
These data-fueled factories become “intelligent” environments, which are capable of informing enterprises from the top down. They provide visibility regarding the efficiency of factory processes and performance both in real-time and over time. In short, the data enables manufacturers to refine and improve operations with relevant and up-to-date data.
Types of Automation In Manufacturing Operations
Automation can be thought of as the mechanization of processes in such a way that procedures can be followed and products can be created without human involvement.
There are several types of automation used on the factory floor. The type of automation utilized by a manufacturing operation will be implemented considering the products being produced, the machines required, and the resources available.
In the case of industrial automation, control systems, like computers or robots, and information technologies are utilized to handle different processes and pieces of machinery to complete a task. It can be applied most readily to data collection, data processing, and performing predictable physical work. This includes tasks like welding, soldering, painting, food prep, and packaging.
Fixed (Hard) Automation
In this example, the application is usually simple and will involve a process or assembly that is dictated by programmed commands. It is relatively difficult to accommodate changes in the product design in a fixed automation process, which is set up with one purpose or process per application in mind.
Examples include:
Mechanized assembly
Machining transfer lines
Automated material handling
Advantages:
High production rates
Low unit cost
Disadvantages:
Relatively inflexible in accommodating product variety
The high initial investment for custom-engineered equipment
High vulnerability to failure
Obsolescence
Programmable Automation
Programmable automation is used most often when manufacturing products in batches. It allows for customization and frequent changes throughout the manufacturing process. In this case, the operation is controlled by a program of instructions that are read and interpreted by the system. New programs can be prepared and entered into the hardware to produce new products at any time.
Examples include:
Computer Numerical controlled (CNC) machine tools
Industrial robots
Programmable logic controllers (PLC)
Advantages:
Flexible and able to deal with design variations
Suitable for batch production
Disadvantages:
High investment in general purpose equipment
Lower production rate than fixed automation
Flexible (Soft) Automation
Utilizing multiple tools that are linked by a material handling system, A flexible automation system is capable of producing a variety of parts with virtually no time lost for changeovers from any one part style to the next. The same is true when reprogramming the system or altering the physical setup.
Examples Include:
Robot arms that can be programmed to assume multiple tasks, such as insert screws, drill holes, sand, weld, insert rivets, and spray paint objects on an assembly line.
Advantages:
Continuous production of variable mixtures of products
Flexible to deal with product design variation
Offers Medium production rate
Disadvantages:
Requires a High amount of investment
High unit cost relative to fixed automation
Totally Integrated Automation (TIA)
More of a philosophy pioneered by Siemens Automation and Drives, TIA includes three core concepts:
A common software environment
A common data management system
A common communication method
TIA implementation is ideal for many industries, including:
Automotive
General machine construction
Special-purpose machine manufacturing
Standard mechanical equipment manufacture, OEMs
Plastics processing
The packaging industry
Food, beverages, and tobacco industries
Defining Characteristics:
Facilitates shorter time-to-market
Higher productivity
Lower life-cycle costs
Reduced complexity
Greater security of investment
Preventative Maintenance (PM) Versus Predictive Maintenance (PdM)
In Preventive Maintenance, tasks are completed when the machines are shut down. Predictive Maintenance activities are carried out as the machines are running in their normal production modes. Both are essential in saving manufacturers money and maintaining production quality. More recently, special focus has been placed on Predictive Maintenance. Qualities like real-time condition monitoring allow longer periods of operation between preventative maintenance tasks, resulting in less downtime for essential machinery.
Mobile Control Of Automation in Manufacturing
Mobility is the future of your workforce.
This is visible in the increased interconnectivity between applications and hardware we use in our daily lives. Mobile control is flexible, intuitive, and powerful. The concept has taken a prominent focus within manufacturing and a call for new industry-wide standards to be adopted has come from automation research and engineering professionals all over the world.
Mobile apps are already being relied on as fast and user-friendly means of accessing plant information with a tap of the finger or swipe of the hand. Mobile access can save substantially on costs, time, labor, and maintenance. The practice also enables operational problems to be identified and addressed remotely.
The Growing Pains Of Automation In Manufacturing
While it’s true the application of automation upsets work roles and employment demographics within the industries where they are applied, the real pains are felt in the short-term transition process.
“The distinction between work and learning might need to become more amorphous. We currently have a dichotomy where those who work need not learn, and those who learn do not work. We need to think about getting away from the traditional five-day working week to one where I spend 60% of my time doing my job and 40% learning on a regular basis.”
– Bhagwan Chowdhry, professor of finance at the University of California, Los Angeles
In the quote, Bhagwan Chowdhry, a noted professor of finance at the University of California, Los Angeles, explains his reasoning for a shift in thinking when it comes to working and learning.
It’s understood that while robots and automation are being used to scale operations, your workforce and their skillsets need to be scaled alongside to maintain these processes and equipment.
This enables workers to learn about and take ownership of the most technical concepts and roles within a given manufacturing operation.
Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm specializing in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers and Distributors. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm that specializes in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers and Distributors. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of Industry.
Ransomware has emerged as one of the preeminent tools utilized by malicious actors who target the data of businesses around the world. In 2018, ransomware attacks have been on the rise. Following these critical guidelines can help mitigate the impact a breach will have on your business.
First Things First: Educating Employees
You probably already know not to open suspicious emails or click on links that look less than legitimate. That said, human nature prevails and it never fails that curiosity or carelessness gets the better of some people in the line of work. Human negligence is one of the largest, if not the top, contributors to such compromising positions as viruses, malware, and ransomware. However, there are ways to mitigate risk if you should ever find yourself on the wrong end of a malicious data breach. Educating your workforce about certain email and filesharing policies can reduce risk before you encounter a breach. Conducting in-house phishing and penetration tests are other useful avenues to explore if you have the resources available. These can open up opportunities to have candid conversations about security in the workplace as well as work to identify shortcomings in your security efforts.
Disconnect, But Don’t Unplug
One critical mistake Ransomware victims make time and again is rushing to shut down their machine at the sight of a ransomware prompt. This is a terrible response because it will make data forensics a much more arduous process for in-house or external teams attempting to unravel the source, extent, and possible resolution to the breach. In this case, disconnect affected machines from the internet, but do not turn them off.
Don’t Panic
This is a critical time and your response will dictate the course of your recovery from this unfortunate event. As with many stressful situations that emerge in life, panic rarely results in a favorable outcome. Keep your composure, collect the personnel necessary to evaluate the situation, and prepare to enact your response plan.
The Recovery Plan
You’ve been breached. This is the moment you prepared for. Follow the steps of your carefully designed plan and follow through on every step as you work towards a resolution.
There is no rubric when it comes to data breach recovery plans. Each instance is unique to each business. Sit down with your in-house security personnel or consult with an external team to develop the ideal plan of action should you fall victim to ransomware or another malicious incident targeting your sensitive data.
Evaluating Backup Data
If at this point in the scenario you have not prepared a recovery plan or created backups for your sensitive data, chances are you’re feeling uneasy about the future of operations, potential legal action, and your company’s reputation. However, this is only a hypothetical situation and you now have the idea in your head that creating a sound recovery plan in the event of a breach and backing up important files can’t wait until after the fact. Don’t wait until it’s too late to prepare your organization for a breach. Take steps towards preparing a disaster recovery plan and begin backing up your files regularly.
Call Data Forensics
Now is the time to perform an assessment with your in-house team or enlist data forensics professionals to determine the incident’s root cause, what, if any, data has been extricated from your systems, and if the malicious actor remains inside your system with unlimited access.
Contacting the federal authorities is another option that should be taken into consideration. Some cybersecurity consultants will tell you it’s a waste of time as the three-letter organizations get hundreds of reported ransomware events a day. Others will tell you it is imperative you contact federal authorities in the event you fall victim to ransomware. Alerting the authorities likely won’t have a detrimental effect on your status if you already found yourself the victim of a breach. Their experience and advice could put you on the right course to a speedy resolution.
Ransomware And Cybersecurity Checklist
Commit an incident response plan to paper and practice it regularly, updating as necessary alongside new threats and security technologies as they emerge.
Carry out ongoing penetration testing and vulnerability scanning. These are both examples of controlled probing of your systems for chinks in your hardened systems’ armor.
Keep your applications and operating systems up to date with the latest patches.
Train your workforce in the best practices as they apply to cybersecurity. The largest contributor to breaches is human vulnerability.
Continuously monitor your network integrity. This includes your anti-virus and malware protection software.
Conduct quarterly or annual data audits and mapping to know where your sensitive data is, how it’s stored, and how best to protect it.
Audit your external groups and accounts for vulnerabilities. Chances are good that a third party you conduct business with can present a vulnerability if they are not following the same cybersecurity standards as you.
Back up your data regularly and test your data recovery plan often. Simulated brute force, phishing, and attack scenarios can keep your teams on their toes and continuously aware of security.
Understand your liability, the data protection requirements, and necessary compliance regulations in your jurisdiction.
Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm and Epicor Platinum Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
Encompass Solutions recently sat down with Metaphase Technologies President Kevin High to discuss the company’s current Epicor ERP implementation, manufacturing custom vision and lighting solutions, and the future of Metaphase. Here’s what Kevin had to say about his company and where he’ll be taking it with the advanced capabilities Encompass Solutions and Epicor ERP will provide.
Q: Can you describe what Metaphase does and what makes the company unique?
Our mission is to be the leading manufacturer of high-quality, high-performance, custom and standard machine vision LED lighting solutions. Metaphase Technologies is a custom job shop with over 7,000 active products and new ones developed every week. We have in-house resources, including engineering, manufacturing, sales, and service, all under one roof. We customize solutions to fit the end-user’s needs and provide application expertise to help determine the ideal solution.
Q: What are some everyday challenges Metaphase faces in business? Anything specific to vision systems and lighting that other manufacturers might not face?
As a company, some of the common challenges we face on a day-to-day basis include tracking all active projects, custom light specifications, and evaluation units we send to customers. Since we lack continuity of data platforms, it can also be challenging to track where we are in the sales cycle. Lastly, our products are an integral part of our customers’ applications, which means we have to continue designing around component obsolescence. Information acquisition is often a time-consuming challenge. It is challenging to be able to view our inventory levels, provide prompt responses, and have short lead times.
Q: What is your business hoping to accomplish with Epicor ERP software that you couldn’t previously?
Our expectations in working with Epicor are to learn efficiency in a custom job-shop environment, from top to bottom. What we are looking for is a more streamlined integration from start to finish. When our Sales Managers are in the field, we want them to be able to deliver quick and accurate information to the customers. Our goal with our next software implementation is to have a consistency of data across all departments, including BOM accuracy, to ultimately improve quality and lead times, as well as, efficiency in tracking process flows from start to finish.
Q: How are you taking advantage of the strengths and benefits of production located in North America vs. production overseas?
Being a manufacturing company in North America is beneficial for both Metaphase and our domestic customers. Our Sales team maintains a healthy relationship with customers in the USA because of the accessibility and ease of communication. Our time-to-delivery is also decreased since we are not waiting on parts manufactured internationally.
Q: At what point did you know you would need to implement an ERP solution for your business?
In 2014, we knew that we had to implement ERP software just to keep up with in-house processes, it was becoming resource intensive to find answers; paper trail audits are very resource intensive and could take days to track down information on a product shipped in previous years. Metaphase has been through the implementation of software that didn’t appropriately fit the needs of our unique company. In December 2017, we knew we wanted to start looking and exploring different ERP options because our current ERP system is inadequate to handle the custom job-shop flow our company has. We needed a better solution.
Q: Can you describe your ERP selection process?
We began our search by interviewing multiple vendors and identifying certain requirements. We evaluated live demonstrations of the software and eventually narrowed it down to two software companies. Proposals of the implementation process, as well as the financials, followed the second demonstration of the software systems. An internal discussion was needed to evaluate the risks and rewards of each and we were able to make a decision.
Q: What key component(s) of Epicor got you interested?
Epicor had not been a software we were looking into originally but a chance meeting with Sonia, President of Encompass Solutions, at the A3 convention had put them on our radar. A good repour and quality customer care from the President had been reassuring and important to us.
Q: What are some of your apprehensions regarding the implementation of a new ERP system and how did Encompass allay those apprehensions and give your company the confidence to bring us on?
There will always be uncertainties about implementing a new ERP system since there is always a chance the system will not meet our expectations. Some apprehensions we have include cost and resource allocation, not being able to complete implementation within the projected time frame, and also the transfer of data from our current ERP into Epicor. The quality of training and technical support is also a concern that we, along with many other companies, have going into an ERP implementation. Despite the apprehensions we have, Encompass has been guiding us through the process up to this point. The face-to-face communication with Sonia and Lynn has given us the confidence that they are willing to work with us throughout any issues that may occur during the implementation. The live demonstration of the software by Jeff was smooth and displayed his knowledge of the product well. The detailed proposal documentation that included the implementation process and timeline set expectations for not only Epicor/Encompass but also Metaphase. The level of detail in the documentation made us more confident that Encompass has the experience to run a smooth implementation/ERP transition.
Q: What do you expect will improve as a result of implementation?
After the Epicor implementation, we expect that our process flows within our organization will improve. The user-friendly interface will allow for more timely and accurate information to flow through the system. Being able to help the Sales team save time with easy CRM management and mobile capabilities, we expect them to have more time to do more selling!
Q: What do your employees think about the transition?
We notified our employees about our decision to move forward with Epicor and apprehension was expected. A majority of them are concerned about having a repeat of our previous ERP implementation and how many committed resources will be needed to make this work. But there is also some excitement about the possibilities this software system has and what it can do for us.
For more than two decades, Metaphase Technologies has been developing products that advance “The Quality of Light” through the engineering and manufacture of uniform diffuse high brightness and ultra brightness LED illuminators. Metaphase’s illuminators are specially designed for applications in machine vision, military, and specialty lighting. Metaphase boasts expertise in engineering flexible lighting solutions for ease of integration into vision systems design. The company’s LED illuminators are currently utilized in thousands of applications throughout the world, including vision-guided robotics, automation systems, line scan inspection units, and many others across the machine vision industry.
As the first to standardize built-in constant current drivers, Metaphase continues to synergize cutting-edge machine vision LED lighting & control technologies to simplify innovation and increase customer return on investment.
Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm, NetSuite Solution Provider, Suite Success Partner, and Epicor Gold Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
In the wake of the recent Uber autonomous vehicle collision, Uber Technologies Inc. has decided to halt its field testing of autonomous vehicles in cities like Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Toronto, and Phoenix after one of its autonomous vehicles struck and killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona. It has been reported that the pedestrian stepped in front of the autonomous vehicle suddenly, which will likely take focus as authorities continue investigating the incident that occurred Sunday night.
What is known at this point is that the woman had crossed the street outside of a crosswalk when she was struck. At the time of the Uber autonomous vehicle collision, a human safety driver supervising inside the cabin of the vehicle said the incident occurred “like a flash”. The supervisor also reported their first indication of the collision was the sounds of the collision itself. Some experts following the industry closely expressed significant alarm when it was revealed no braking or swerving maneuvers were enacted to avoid the collision. The incident took place around 10 pm local time, at which point the pedestrian was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. She later succumbed to her injuries. According to local authorities, Uber is cooperating fully with the Tempe Police Department during the investigation.
Uber Autonomous Vehicle Collision Industry Effects
The incident has far-reaching implications for the highly-scrutinized societal integration of autonomous vehicles, which incorporate machine vision and AI in hopes of revolutionizing the auto industry, how we travel, and how urban population centers function. Already, tens of billions of dollars and years of research have been invested in the technology by companies like Alphabet Inc., General Motors Co., and Baidu Inc.
Despite what the news would have you believe in the wake of like the one used during the Uber autonomous vehicle collision, relatively great strides have been made in the last five years regarding autonomous vehicles. This is due largely in part to a rather relaxed regulatory system surrounding the technology. The Department of Transportation removed significant hurdles in autonomous vehicle testing just last year. Many experts fear the recent event will have a significant impact on the regulatory environment of autonomous vehicles moving forward. In contrast to DoT actions, The National Transportation Safety Board has begun its investigation into the matter and sent a small team of investigators to Tempe for a closer look, in addition to advocating for stricter policies on autonomous vehicles.
Machine Vision Is The Foundation Of Autonomous Vehicles
Despite all the attention, autonomous vehicles have enjoyed in recent years, the concept is far from new and the vision technology that powers the concept has been in development since the 60s. SRI’s Shakey was the first mobile robot to utilize a computer vision system for navigating terrain and obstacles. The JPL robot and the Stanford Cart followed as the technology became more refined, though none could compare with the level of machine vision and AI systems utilized by autonomous vehicles today.
More modern vision systems would emerge, such as the Ralph vision system, to help automobiles navigate using sampled images that assessed road curvature and determined the positioning of a vehicle relative to a roadway’s center. Today, LIDAR, a light-based radar vision, is the system of choice. By utilizing a series of “eyes” embedded within the autonomous vehicle’s body, it functions using sensors that send out pulses of invisible light from lasers and records how long it takes to receive a signal back from the surface of an object, in this case, the light’s reflection. Camera-based methods are also utilized as autonomous vehicle vision systems. These systems help create 2D and 3D images of objects just like a human eye would. In this case, multiple cameras are positioned around the vehicle to provide a full field of vision that mimics that of a real driver. Specialized software is then used to “learn” human behavior and model the objects adjacent to and within the roadway.
A third vision approach to autonomous vehicle systems emerged in late 2017 from Israeli start-up AdaSky. The AdaSky system utilizes Far Infrared (FIR) perception that the company has coined as Viper.
The technology is not new, but AdaSky CEO Avi Katz claims they are the first to apply the technology to autonomous vehicle vision systems in hopes of avoiding incidents like the Uber autonomous vehicle collision. The system is built to complement peripheral vision systems and sensing technology like LIDAR, radar, and cameras. According to Katz, the increased capacity for classification, identification, and detection of objects enables autonomous vehicles to better understand and interact with their surroundings, making them much safer as a result.
Machine Vision Beyond The Roadway
Machine vision systems have become incredibly advanced both on the road and on the assembly line. Powerful software and components identify these objects’ surroundings and enable them to more elaborately interact with their environments. The machine vision systems in use today largely govern image-based inspection, process control, and robot guidance. While autonomous vehicles and futuristic technologies garner the lion’s share of attention from the media and the general population, Machine vision already has an incredible impact on our daily lives. Indeed, machine vision influences many aspects of our daily lives, from the parts in our cars, the appearance and packaging of our food, the quality of our medical devices, and even lab specimens all passing through some sort of machine vision system before they reach their destination.
Encompass Solutions is a business and software consulting firm specializing in ERP systems, EDI, and Managed Services support for Manufacturers and Distributors. Serving small and medium-sized businesses since 2001, Encompass modernizes operations and automates processes for hundreds of customers across the globe. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. By identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.
