Abstract: A negotiation-based method and system for managing manufacturing execution system (MES) orders within a structure of distributed systems that include at least one ordering system and one or several executing systems ES. The method includes the steps of: a) creating an order for a service, the order having at least one negotiable requirement; b) distributing the order to one or several ES; c) evaluating the order by each ES and automatically determining whether the order is acceptable without negotiating or generating an offer for the service to launch a negotiation process wherein said OS and ES exchange offers and counteroffers until an agreement is reached or the offer refused; d) if a least one of the ES accepts the order, the OS sends a refusal to offers received from another ES; if no ES accepts the order, the OS starts a negotiation process for the negotiable requirement with each ES.

Abstract: A method and a system determine a technological layer in which a module of a Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) application is to be deployed. The specific MOM application has two or more modules that are separately deployable in at least two technological layers. For the specific MOM application, a set of characteristic parameters is defined that characterize business, process and information technology characteristics of the specific MOM application relevant for technological layer computation purposes. For each given module, there is defined a layer-deploying function, having as input a subset of the characteristic parameters and having as output a range value determining the technological layer to deploy the module at configuration time. For at least one of the given modules, there is determined the corresponding deploying technological layer by applying its corresponding layer-deploying function.

Abstract: A method and system for dispatching a production order for a product within a distributed environment with several production lines Ljsi distributed in one or several production sites Si. A production order for the product is received with a first list of required production parameters, with an ordered target value for each required production parameter. A nominal set of production lines Ljsi is automatically determined that are capable of implementing the production of the product with respect to resource availability and sets are selected from a nominal set of production lines and from a production scenario. The system selects a first set, a second set and a third set of production lines from the nominal set and then automatically determines one or more optimal production lines for producing said product and then dispatches the production order to the optimal production line(s).

Abstract: A method and system automatically assist in a creation of a manufacturing workflow (WF) for manufacturing a product. The method includes receiving a graphical user input in an editing area configured for creating a manufacturing WF, the graphical user input includes a WF starting node and automatically selecting in a meta-workflow (MWF) library, in response to the received graphical user input and in function of the latter, a MWF. The selected MWF is a graphical pattern starting with the WF starting node and ending with a WF ending node, the latter being connected to each other through a sequence of interconnected decision and/or activity nodes. The selected MWF is displayed in a display box and then in the editing area. A manufacturing WF is created from the MWF displayed in the editing area. An auto-suggestion process is used for associating each node of the MWF to a manufacturing operation.

Abstract: A method and a system determine a technological layer in which a module of a Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) application is to be deployed. The specific MOM application has two or more modules that are separately deployable in at least two technological layers. For the specific MOM application, a set of characteristic parameters is defined that characterize business, process and information technology characteristics of the specific MOM application relevant for technological layer computation purposes. For each given module, there is defined a layer-deploying function, having as input a subset of the characteristic parameters and having as output a range value determining the technological layer to deploy the module at configuration time. For at least one of the given modules, there is determined the corresponding deploying technological layer by applying its corresponding layer-deploying function.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically deploying a module of a manufacturing operations management application across a plurality of layers. A MOM application has a plurality of modules organized in a hierarchical architecture, wherein each module is independently deployable in at least two layers of the plurality of layers; for each module and for each layer wherein the module is deployable, defining a set of production parameters relevant for recommending a layer for module deployment; defining for each module a layer-deploying function, having as input variables values of the production parameter sets for the module and having as output variable a recommended layer wherein the module is to be deployed; and, upon request, for a specific module and for a specific time-point, calculating the recommended deploying layer with the layer-deploying function by using values of the input variables at the requested specific time-point.

Abstract: A negotiation-based method and system for managing manufacturing execution system (MES) orders within a structure of distributed systems that include at least one ordering system and one or several executing systems ES. The method includes the steps of: a) creating an order for a service, the order having at least one negotiable requirement; b) distributing the order to one or several ES; c) evaluating the order by each ES and automatically determining whether the order is acceptable without negotiating or generating an offer for the service to launch a negotiation process wherein said OS and ES exchange offers and counteroffers until an agreement is reached or the offer refused; d) if a least one of the ES accepts the order, the OS sends a refusal to offers received from another ES; if no ES accepts the order, the OS starts a negotiation process for the negotiable requirement with each ES.

Abstract: A process and a system collect data from a data-source into a manufacturing operation management (MOM) data warehouse. The data in the MOM data-warehouse are exposed according to a basic data model in which a performance parameter is linked to a basic set of context identifiers for MOM analysis purposes. The data in the data source are exposed according to a source data model in which a source performance parameter is linked to a source set of context identifiers. A data extensor module is provided for processing the data received from the data source to add, upon need, a context identifier linked to the source performance parameter. Whereby the added context identifier is present in the basic set but it is not present in the source set. The data extensor module processing data is received from the data source to obtain augmented data stored in the MOM data warehouse.

Abstract: A method distributes order execution in a MOM system. A GOM module is capable of generating production orders with a negotiable requirement. Each LOM module is capable of offering to the GOM module local order planning functionalities for a production order due to a communication based on a bilateral negotiation exchange with the GOM module on negotiable parameters. The method includes: using past negotiation data exchanged with the LOM module to compute a module providing as output a negotiation reliability score to assign to a negotiation exchange with the LOM module; at runtime, negotiating a negotiable parameter of a specific production order with the LOM module by the specific negotiation model; at runtime, updating the specific negotiation model with tunings obtained by applying runtime data to the corresponding computed reliability module aimed at improving the reliability score; and at runtime, distributing the order execution to the LOM module.

Abstract: A method for configuring a manufacturing operation management (MOM) data warehouse and providing a user interface (UI) to the MOM data warehouse configuration. The MOM data warehouse forms a database for the data handled within a manufacturing execution system. The method includes: a) mapping the data that has to be presented in the UI into a hierarchical data model being based on an industry classification of the manufacturing process controlled by the manufacturing execution system, the hierarchical data model having a number of levels; b) mapping the hierarchical data model into a radial control based UI; c) displaying in the radial control based UI at least two levels of the hierarchical data model; and d) providing navigation actions in order to scroll up and/or scroll down through the levels of the hierarchical data model.

Abstract: A process and a system collect data from a data-source into a manufacturing operation management (MOM) data warehouse. The data in the MOM data-warehouse are exposed according to a basic data model in which a performance parameter is linked to a basic set of context identifiers for MOM analysis purposes. The data in the data source are exposed according to a source data model in which a source performance parameter is linked to a source set of context identifiers. A data extensor module is provided for processing the data received from the data source to add, upon need, a context identifier linked to the source performance parameter. Whereby the added context identifier is present in the basic set but it is not present in the source set. The data extensor module processing data is received from the data source to obtain augmented data stored in the MOM data warehouse.

Abstract: A method for configuring a manufacturing operation management (MOM) data warehouse and providing a user interface (UI) to the MOM data warehouse configuration. The MOM data warehouse forms a database for the data handled within a manufacturing execution system. The method includes: a) mapping the data that has to be presented in the UI into a hierarchical data model being based on an industry classification of the manufacturing process controlled by the manufacturing execution system, the hierarchical data model having a number of levels; b) mapping the hierarchical data model into a radial control based UI; c) displaying in the radial control based UI at least two levels of the hierarchical data model; and d) providing navigation actions in order to scroll up and/or scroll down through the levels of the hierarchical data model.

Abstract: A system for handling a data refresh procedure in a production execution system includes a network having data processing units running a MES software for controlling and monitoring a production process operating production components. A production modeler within the MES software defines a business logic that includes a plant model of the production process and the operating procedures for the production components in a graphical environment. A client application builder within the MES software provides a WEB based graphical user interface for generating cross-functionality graphic screens that form part of the network as presentation clients and display data stemming from the production components and being manipulated by the production modeler, where required. The production modeler defines a presentation logic operating the cross-functionality graphic screens, and updates the data at the presentation clients exclusively when the business logic requires the update to the presentation logic.

Abstract: A method controls time based signals that are outputted from at least two processes of unit. A first signal is converted into a first signal value and indicates over a first time range of a first process with a first defined start time and a defined end time, in which present time is signalized by a spatially extensible and uniformly highlighted portion of the first time range defined between the first start time and the present time. A second signal is converted into a second signal value and indicates over a second time range of a second process with a second defined start time and free of an end time, in which the present time is signalized by a spatially extensible portion of the second time range onto which a variably highlighted and superposed section is overlaid, the section being defined between the second start time and the present time.

Abstract: A method controls time based signals that are outputted from at least two processes of unit. A first signal is converted into a first signal value and indicates over a first time range of a first process with a first defined start time and a defined end time, in which present time is signalized by a spatially extensible and uniformly highlighted portion of the first time range defined between the first start time and the present time. A second signal is converted into a second signal value and indicates over a second time range of a second process with a second defined start time and free of an end time, in which the present time is signalized by a spatially extensible portion of the second time range onto which a variably highlighted and superposed section is overlaid, the section being defined between the second start time and the present time.

Abstract: A system for handling a data refresh procedure in a production execution system includes a network having data processing units running a MES software for controlling and monitoring a production process operating production components. A production modeler within the MES software defines a business logic that includes a plant model of the production process and the operating procedures for the production components in a graphical environment. A client application builder within the MES software provides a WEB based graphical user interface for generating cross-functionality graphic screens that form part of the network as presentation clients and display data stemming from the production components and being manipulated by the production modeler, where required. The production modeler defines a presentation logic operating the cross-functionality graphic screens, and updates the data at the presentation clients exclusively when the business logic requires the update to the presentation logic.

Abstract: Data refreshing of a mark-up language document is provided. A server script code generates client script code. The client script code and information descriptive of the new data is placed in a hidden frame. The hidden frame is sent to the client computer for executing of the client script code in order to update a mark-up language document, which has been loaded on the client computer.