Many of the developments evident on the shop floor represented the fulfillment of trends previously noted in past conferences. However, there were several unique developments present-developments indicative that something new could take place.
To help you understand my position, let's review several of the most significant developments evident in numerous visits. A caution first. In describing these developments, I will cite several companies and their products as examples. If I have missed a company or product, please understand that it is unintentional. Furthermore, it is difficult to do justice to all of the products that were demonstrated on the exhibition hall. Now for the major trends.
The movement towards the graphics user interface (GUI) is complete.
Nearly every product demonstrated at the 1995 APICS Conference supported a GUI front end. These front ends were written using either X-Window for UNIX or Win 95/Windows NT for the PC. In most cases, the screens make extensive use of pull-down menus or buttons (as in the case of Chess from MDIS or ERPx from J.D. Edwards). They supported the extensive use of a mouse. Help was extensively implemented and was nearly always context sensitive (the help that you asked for was always appropriate for the problem that you were facing). An example of this could be seen in MRP 9000 from IMS. The reason for this widespread movement to GUI is simple: Users want interfaces that are easy to use and easy to navigate. They want to be able to point and click. They want interfaces that are intuitive. In short, the command line prompt is now a thing of the past. To be considered even acceptable in today's market, vendors must offer a GUI front end-it is the minimum requirement for competition.
From software functionality to system integration
In the past, when we examined a software package, the emphasis was nearly always on the functionality and the features offered. While this aspect is still important, it has been replaced by an emphasis on system integration. There are, however, many different types of integration. The first type involves the integration of planning activities within the firm, as represented by the widespread movement to enterprise resource planning (ERP) packages. These packages, represented by such products as DATASUL-EMS, Fourth Shift, DataFlo (DataWorks), InfoPower (InfoPower International Inc), Macola Software, INFIMACS (Relevant Business Systems), Point.Man (Spectrum Associates, Inc.), Bridgeware and PRAXA/OMS (Praxa Systems), integrate such diverse elements as purchasing, design/engineering, finance, manufacturing and accouting into one comprehensive system.
The second type of integration involves integration forward into the distribution channel or backward into the supply chain. A frequently heard term at the conference was "supply chain management" (the only problem with this term was nearly every vendor had a different approach to and definition for this concept). In short, supply chain management packages extend the ERP system's power back to the vendor and provides tools of varying power to help the manager coordinate the flows and plans between the vendors and the firm. Several packages were notable on this dimension for they appeared to offer not only very good ERP systems, but also useful and rich tools for supply chain management. These were SAP, QAD, Numetrix and Manugistics. The third type of integration involved the integration of systems for managing the various activities on the shop floor. Companies such as Wonderware, FACT and Taylor Manufacturing Software were working on integrating the systems for data entry, man-machine interfaces and execution management systems.
Finite capacity planning systems are growing in numbers and features
An interesting development was the separation between the systems used for planning and the systems used for capacity scheduling and planning. It has become apparent in my conversations with the vendors of ERP systems that many are recognizing that they cannot do as good a job as the vendors of finite capacity scheduling packages for managing that aspect of operations.
However, this was not a problem since there has been strong growth in the number of powerful finite capacity scheduling packages. These include offerings from Shiva Software, Thru-Put Systems (formerly Orissa International), FYGIR Logistics Information Systems, Berclain, Avyx, Paragon, Optimax Systems, i2 Technologies, Red Pepper Software and Computer Associates (to name a few). All of these feature graphic user interfaces, graphic feedback and speedy response time. They employ a variety of engines ranging from rules-based systems, to systems based on genetic algorithms or the principles taken from the theory of constraints. If there was any area in which the growth of a category of software was most evident, it was in finite capacity scheduling.
Simulation packages are growing in number and functionality
Simulation packages aimed at helping the user better plan products and system layouts and carry out computer-based experiments were common at this year's exhibition. These packages emphasize such features as ease of use, quick development of prototypes and models, rapid data analysis and easy modification. Examples of these packages include offerings from AutoSimulations, Pritsker Corporation, Imagine That! (Extend and Extend Plus), and ProModel. All of these packages offered graphical outputs and the ability to simulate shop performance using animation.
Movement toward object-oriented coding
Many vendors with whom I had spoken had indicated that they had already converted or were in the process of converting their coding from the traditional programming languages to an object oriented language such as C++. This movement is driven by the recognition that today's customer wants newer applications developed faster and at lower costs than has been done in the past. As a result, firms are converting their programs to such languages because they now recognize that with object-oriented coding, they can reuse code and make easy and wide-scale modifications. This movement was widespread and involved not only ERP packages such as Macola's but also forecasting packages such as Smart Forecasting's offering.
In short, we expect that nearly every package to offer object-oriented coding-not simply to provide quicker response time, but to survive.
The Internet is beginning to influence resource management
There was one development at the exhibition that was unique, risky and very exciting. For most resource managers, the Internet, which some people have referred to as the "information superhighway," is a new and fascinating development. Many are familiar with the Internet as a way of passing messages to others located anywhere quickly and inexpensively. Others have become aware of the graphics capabilities of the Internet through the World Wide Web (WWW) and Netscape browsers. However, few have looked at the Internet as a medium for manufacturing planning and communication. The reason most often given is that the Internet is not secure. After all, the argument goes, anyone can get into the Internet and get into the communications taking place. This is one reason why more firms do not conduct commercial transactions on the Internet. One company is now betting that the Internet can and will become a useful medium for the resource manager.
At the 1995 APICS Exhibition, Enterprise Planning Systems introduced Webplan, a product designed to use the Internet to communicate production plans. What made this introduction unique was its method. Enterprise Planning gave away beta copies of its program to anyone who wanted one. Furthermore, it has made available beta copies of its program at http://www.enterprise.on.ca or via e-mail at [email protected]