Essentially the story was about how the TrakSYS real-time operations management software from Parsec helped log downtime in its Augusta, WI, facility. This application is worth revisiting because two new data points, not available earlier, have been published in a recent case history report by Parsec. Data point one: In 2014, Bush Brothers produced 2.2 million additional cases of baked beans, while eliminating 27 shifts, using the TrakSYS software. Data point two: The software maximized asset utilization, and with every 1-point OEE improvement the company saved $395,000.
The solution at Bush Brothers had to be designed based on a scalable and extensible solution platform, says Parsec. The goal was to expand the solution footprint in a step-by-step and agile manner. As part of this approach, TrakSYS was interfaced with:
• ERP Connectivity—for planning and production scheduling
• SCADE System—to capture production data
• Plant Historian—for process variable analysis
• Operator Workstation—for engagement and contextualization
The integrated architecture allowed Bush Brothers an upreecedented and comprehensive real-time visibility across the manufacturing processes.
The folks at Bush Brothers also appreciate how the Parsec software:
• automatically populates existing forms, thus eliminating three years of stored paper data
• replaced manual, paper-based sensory data collection with electronic forms complete with data validation and extensive genealogy with audit trails for regulatory and food safety compliance
• Automated task management and simplified notifications for enforced tracking of all quality-related checks and results
• Integrates with existing plant historian, thus making it possible to have a common web portal for viewing information and reports related to the process variables
• Utilized real-time SPC to better manage process variability and reduce giveaways
