The last five years has seen a shift from monolithic bespoke development and vendor-specific manufacturing enterprise solutions to the more pragmatic approach of integrating diverse best-of-breed applications that best suit the specific business models and requirements of individual manufacturers.
It is with this evolution in mind that AST Manufacturing Systems Integration (MSI), within 18 months, has established itself as a leading player in integrated plant solutions (IPS), encapsulating MES and automation solutions, in the industrial process industry.
As part of its aggressive growth strategy, AST MSI acquired Inventory Technologies in 2001 in an effort to attain a dominant position in the rapidly growing IPS market. The combined forces of AST MSI and Inventory Technologies have established a company that is unique in the South African market for its knowledge and expertise in the integration of clients` business and plant solution requirements. Its sensor-to-boardroom approach provides unprecedented quality of decision support and strategic information at all levels.
"Although we have increased our resources within this domain of the AST Group to 230 people, we are still streamlined enough to react quickly to clients` needs, with very competitive rates and innovative solutions," explains Phillip Pretorius, MD of AST MSI. "This can be attributed to our optimisation process after the acquisition, which consolidated management and all best of breed practices into a fully integrated process."
"AST MSI`s clients now have the advantages of a totally integrated IPS solution, with the system-wide communication capabilities of all products and systems, including those for vertical and horizontal integration," says Ricky Huyser, Business Development Manager of AST MSI. "This is because MSI has access to the AST Group`s skills base and best practices and methodologies."
The IT revolution is making huge advances within the manufacturing industry. The integration of corporate (ERP) and production (process) level by means of the MES level within the IPS domain is a development that continues unabated. "This pertains to both business and production processes," adds Pretorius. "We are actively shaping these changes by using an innovative approach focussed on business benefits supported by technology."
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AST`s intellectual capacity, as well as the business model and strong customer base, forms the basis for the integrated services solutions business.
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