Feb 6, 2013
ERP to MES Integration
Engineering just wrapped up the pilot of connecting a customer's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP - SAP) to Siemens Opcenter Execution (SIMATIC IT Batch) for the chemical industry. A vast majority of our clients have SAP systems, as well as a common need to quickly and efficiently download Master Data, such as Orders, Production Definitions and BOMs, and to send production performance messages directly to SAP.
Technical Architecture
In this pilot, SAP communicated with Siemens Opcenter Execution (SIMATIC IT) using IDOCs and RFCs. Opcenter Execution (SIMATIC IT) translated the IDOCS into industry standard B2MML in order to download Master Data, which included download of orders into the Opcenter system. SAP orders were created then downloaded into Opcenter, after which the batch order was started. During the running of the batch, production performance messages were sent all the way to SAP to communicate order status and process parameters. A full roundtrip link between ERP and the batch system was established. This project proves that ERP integration with your batch system offers a lot of value in reducing production errors, efficiently managing inventory and capturing critical manufacturing data.
