Infor, a leading provider of business application software serving more than 73 000 customers, has announced Infor Factory Track, a comprehensive manufacturing process automation solution that helps manufacturers synchronise their enterprise plans with plant activities; bridging the gap from idea to execution.

Built for the Cloud, Infor Factory Track offers flexible deployment options and a lower total cost of ownership.

The solution was developed using Infor Mongoose, a rapid application development platform that enables more configurability and ease of enhancements. Infor Factory Track also offers the latest consumer-grade user experience from the shop floor kiosks to handheld barcode scanners.

Infor Factory Track will provide a comprehensive solution so manufacturers can increase their operational efficiency and improve visibility across the warehouse and the shop floor.

The solution offers three key modules:

* Warehouse Mobility will help organisations simplify inventory management, automate data collection and eliminate errors and inventory write-offs. This real-time inventory management solution will also help manufacturers gain visibility into their material movements and automate both inbound, outbound logistics.

* Time Track will collect labour time and attendance and provide easy payroll extracts to feed payroll applications. Synchronising the workforce with manufacturing activities will allow organisations to increase productivity and control labour costs.

* Shop Floor will automate production schedule execution, dispatch operations and work centre operations. This solution will also enable paperless shop floor operations to allow greater visibility of the shop floor, increased process control and greater accountability.

From top to bottom, this new solution supports all the functions of the enterprise and has the capabilities to increase inventory accuracy, reduce inventory carrying costs, reduce overhead, understand the true cost associated with labour, create strategic plans, and increase compliance and traceability. In addition, users can align with lean manufacturing principles by eliminating waste – time and materials – and better optimising processes.

“Manufacturers invest significant time and resources in planning solutions, such as their ERP, to help manage enterprise level business processes like financial management, order processing, and operational planning. However, there is an inherent gap between planning systems and their ability to execute when it comes to automation of shop floor and warehouse business processes,” says Mark Humphlett, director, Industry and Solution Strategy, Infor.

“Infor Factory Track not only bridges this gap, but also helps organisations reduce cost, increase productivity and gain a competitive advantage.”