Whereas deliveries and prices could be forecast relatively reliably just 4-5 years ago, increasing component shortages are now making forward-looking procurement more difficult. Thanks to functional software, however, EMS companies can handle the resulting extremely extensive range of tasks extremely quickly.
The program is able to read out internal and external sources of supply for quotation costing in the shortest possible time. In doing so, it takes into account specific process and production costs in addition to material purchasing expenses. The software can be integrated into existing MES systems and can process all CAD formats. In addition, the program imports differently designed bills of materials and brings them up to speed. This is an advantageous feature that was originally developed as a basic function for quotation generation. In the meantime, however, this equipment attribute has turned out to be extremely useful. After all, one or even several employees often spend hours manually editing bills of materials.
The software is directly connected to the databases of established distributors via an API interface (Application Programming Interface). This eliminates the time-consuming process of querying the prices and delivery terms of individual suppliers via their web pages or by e-mail, as well as the subsequent entry of the data into an Excel spreadsheet, for example. The system, on the other hand, retrieves detailed component information and product prices in a matter of seconds directly from the ERP or via external sources. In doing so, it can suggest the most cost-effective order quantity. If, on the other hand, the focus is on procuring components as quickly as possible, the software checks availability across suppliers. Users can also mark components as preferred, alternative and blocked and block suppliers. Another important component is obsolescence management. After all, it is not helpful if a component is offered at a low price but then discontinued in the foreseeable future.
For manual component selection, empirical values can be derived from orders that have already been processed. For example, the smart system shows which components have been purchased from which supplier and in which quantities. It also creates variants and revisions of the workflow management processes. Since the software can access the SCIP database, it also provides data on directives such as RoHS and REACH. Furthermore, it is also possible to include workflows, processes and machine times in the cost calculation.
The program, which is sold worldwide, thus ensures an efficient and consistent supply chain on the basis of just a few work steps. If the software is combined with another system, specific procedures, processes and machine times can also be included in the cost calculation, material and process costs for SMT, THT and manual assembly can be fully calculated and access rights can be managed. Accordingly, both procurers and manufacturers benefit from numerous options resulting from the central preparation of data for high mix, high value or low, mid, large volume production programs.
At the same time, the development of further software components is already being planned. In the future, for example, an artificial intelligence system will monitor and analyze price developments worldwide, thus enabling even more detailed strategic component purchasing.
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Firma: Circuit Byte GmbH
Ihr Ansprechpartner: Kevin Decker-Weiss
