Cape-headquartered PRAGMA Products has increased the functionality of the PRAGMA ON KEY enterprise asset management system to enable real-time interface capability with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and enhanced asset identification and asset assessment capabilities.
ON KEY, which provides asset lifecycle cost optimisation, consists of five modules: asset register, maintenance manager, performance manager, materials manager and the asset identification and assessment module.
The software enables 24-hour access to performance-related information, such as which assets are standing or running, what product is being produced, who the operator is and the percentage of good quality product. Management can also monitor the causes of downtime and establish which functions in the plant are responsible for most operational inefficiencies.
While the new release includes functional modifications to all modules, the most pertinent enhancements are the introduction of direct interfacing with virtually any ERP and the further expansion of the asset identification and assessment module, says Attie Nieuwoudt, MD of PRAGMA Products.
"Real-time interfacing with an ERP system makes production line information available for direct integration with the financial and operational side of the business, ensuring data integrity and enabling management to respond immediately to shop floor activity. Such information can be used by management to optimise costing methods and production run scheduling. The reverse is also true in that shop floor personnel can now have access to performance indicators via the human machine interfaces (HMIs). This allows them to make the link between their operations and the consequent implications for the company," says Nieuwoudt.
The software makes use of Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) to allow communications with any ERP system that also utilises SOAP. The enhancement of ON KEY`s asset identification and assessment module increases functionality in the field by providing for the addition of assets to a register, the verification of technical information and user-defined physical assessments of assets by field workers - all via PDA.
"Once the relevant information is on the PDA it can be synchronised back in the system, automatically updating the asset register with the latest technical and assessment details. The use of barcode scanning and pre-configured menus enhances data integrity, allowing more accurate data with which to analyse and make critical optimisation decisions," says Nieuwoudt.
Previously ON KEY only made provision for one assessment per assessment type. The new release makes provision for keeping history, enabling the tracking of trends by monitoring changes in the physical condition of the assets.
PRAGMA PRODUCTS has a diverse variety of local and international clients using the ON KEY software, including Shell, Lafarge, AngloGold, De Beers, Botswana Ash, Distell, Parmalat SA, Tiger Brands and Nampak.
"The new release of ON KEY lifts asset performance management to another level, enabling even more precise performance management and plant optimisation," Nieuwoudt says.
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