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What is MES?

The acronym MES stands for Manufacturing Execution System.

MES builds a bridge between the planning and production levels in your company. It creates a link between your ERP/PPS application on the one hand and your plant's machines and systems on the other.

What are the differences between easyOEE and FASTEC 4 PRO?

easyOEE is conceived as a productivity measuring device for individual machines. It therefore does not allow for the consolidated evaluation of several machines. Additional modules for WLAN, GSM and SMS alarm notification are available for easyOEE, making it very flexible. This does not increase the range of functions however.

FASTEC 4 PRO is a modular MES system. The modular design means that you can more or less configure the individual modules as they are needed in everyday use. In addition, FASTEC 4 PRO has a wide range of options relating to machine coupling and communication with other EDP systems such as ERP, PPS, QM, payroll, etc.

How does an MES project work?

Usually, a successful presentation and the preparation of an offer is followed by a reference visit where the interested party secures their decision regarding a pilot installation. After this, the pilot installation is commissioned. The first step in this is the holding of a workshop.

Here, the relevant details on the projects are discussed between your company's specialist departments and our project team. Based on these specifications, FASTEC 4 PRO and the required software are configured. The hardware (production terminals, I/O coupler modules, etc.) will be sent to you in advance for assembly. As soon as the hardware has been installed, we will arrange an appointment with you for start-up, briefing and training.

Do you offer pilot installations for testing purposes?

We would be delighted to give you the opportunity of testing FASTEC 4 PRO by way of a pilot installation for a limited period of time. #

After a maximum period of three months, you can then decide to purchase the system and initiate the subsequent roll-out or return the hardware and software to us. If you opt to return the hardware and software, you will only be charged for the expense of the services performed.

If you wish to explore the topic of OEE indicator determination within the context of MDE/BDE (MDE = "Maschinendatenerfassung" or machine data acquisition, BDE = "Betriebsdatenerfassung" or production data acquisition), our productivity measuring device easyOEE Portable is of course available to rent with a ten-day right of return.

How can I test out at the least expense possible whether or not a system can bring the desired benefits?

With easyOEE Portable. This is quick and easy to install. In addition, you have a 10-day right of return - even if you only want to rent the system to begin with.

 easyOEE comes with detailed documentation, which means you can start it up yourself. Otherwise, we offer start-up at a flat rate.

Is FASTEC 4 PRO available in different languages?

Yes, FASTEC 4 PRO is suitable for international use. This means employees working for an international company and based in different locations can work with one system and have access to a uniform database.

Which industries is FASTEC 4 PRO suitable for?

FASTEC 4 PRO was conceived for use across all industries and can be adapted to meet the needs of all production operations thanks to its flexible design.

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Can the 4 PRO modules be configured individually?

Only the 4 PRO BASIS module as well as the 4 PRO Office Client are absolutely necessary for each installation.

All other modules can be configured optionally as per your requirements. At the same time, the individual modules are closely intermeshed with each other, which means the 4 PRO MDE module can report runtimes or quantities to the 4 PRO INST module for example, which leads to the automatic arrangement of servicing appointments. Data captured once (e.g. machine master data) is then available to the other modules.

Can I log in to the system from outside the company?

Yes. You (or we) can install the 4 PRO Office Client on your PC at home for instance. You can then use the internet to log in to your company's network via a secure VPN connection.

We already have a BDE system. Can FASTEC 4 PRO communicate with this?

Yes, this is possible in principle.

With regard to the interface, you would have to speak with the manufacturer of the solution. Often however, an existing BDE solution will be replaced by our system, as we also communicate directly with your ERP/PPS solution through an interface, incorporate the orders from this and report back the actual data (quantities, times, etc.). Wherever possible, isolated applications should therefore be avoided.

Can we adapt FASTEC 4 PRO to suit our production operations?

Yes. Without needing any programming knowledge, you can make any adjustments you wish to screen displays, evaluations or to the overall system. New machines can be integrated quickly and easily into the system. Screens can also be adapted to meet your requirements. And, with the Report Designer, you can create handy reports with diagrams in no time at all.

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How do we come by the machine data?

There are different methods depending on the area of application and the machines.

The simplest way would, without doubt, be to capture the cycle information via a light barrier for instance. More convenient would of course be coupling by digital I/Os or direct communication with the PLC. The precise method will vary from case to case and will be arranged in consultation with you in advance.

Must data be entered manually or can it also be captured fully automatically?

By communicating directly with the PLC, we can also capture process reports and process data fully automatically, in other words without the need for manual input at the production terminal.

Information on such things as organisational downtimes (set-up, maintenance, breaks, shortage of materials, etc.) will however not be recorded in detail then.

Can FASTEC 4 PRO be adapted at low cost to suit our process environment?

Yes. FASTEC 4 PRO supports a wide variety of interfaces with standard solutions, which means that adjustments to suit customer-specific features can be made very quickly.

Does FASTEC 4 PRO provide interfaces to scales and other test engineering equipment?

Yes. A number of interfaces have been created in recent years. Please give us the precise type designation of the devices that you wish to have connected. We will then gladly make you an offer for their integration.

Is the use of your production terminals with touch panels absolutely necessary or can PCs already in place at the machines also be used for FASTEC 4 PRO?

Although we recommend our own production terminals with touch function, in principle other input terminals or desktop PCs are also supported, provided they meet the minimum requirements in terms of hardware and operating system.

What does the term "concurrent user" mean in relation to the 4 PRO Office Client?

In theory, you can install the 4 PRO Office Client on all PCs within the company. However, you can only access FASTEC 4 PRO at the same time from the number of PCs for which you have purchased licences.

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Do you also supply additional hardware that may be needed, e.g. barcode scanners, label printers, etc.?

Here too, we have the know-how to integrate the corresponding hardware as per your requirements.

What's the situation with support? Is there a service agreement?

You have the option of concluding a service agreement with us, through which, for a monthly flat-rate fee, both hotline support and updates are covered.

If you do not wish to have this service agreement, we can also provide you with support as needed and charge you for this.

Do you provide training?

Yes. This can be held either at our training room or at your premises.

We offer target group-specific training for administrators, workers, operators, etc., which should help your company derive optimum benefit from using our solution.

Please request our training documentation.

When is an upgrade to the MES solution FASTEC 4 PRO worthwhile?

easyOEE represents a good-value-for-money entry-level MDE/BDE solution. 

If, as a standard of comparison, one uses FASTEC 4 PRO with the 4 PRO MDE and 4 PRO BDE modules, price equality is achieved from roughly the third machine onward. After this, FASTEC 4 PRO would be significantly cheaper per machine.

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