No-code in the MES core
cronetwork Portal makes customised solutions quicker and easier
Increasingly complex and dynamic requirements for modern manufacturing software mean that even established standard applications have to be adapted to individual requirements – ideally without high programming costs.
In this context, both low-code and no-code solutions are becoming key tools for meeting the growing demand for customised systems.
The answer to individualisation requirements
With portal technology as a component of the powerful MES solution cronetwork, Industrie Informatik provides the answer to the individualisation requirements of the modern smart factory and enables the user to create cross-system, individual user interfaces for precise and agile information processing.
From simple dashboards to operational worker cockpits, new, customised MES services can be designed as so-called portals. Users can decide for themselves and individually which cross-system information sources should be used to create their work interfaces.
Relief for the IT department and cost savings
The best thing about it: thanks to no-code technology, no programming knowledge is required. Customisations and extensions in cronetwork MES can be carried out independently by employees.Various graphical elements are combined via an intuitive user interface using drag-and-drop, which enables customising of individual MES services – without having to go through long development cycles.
Both specialist users and end users can therefore effortlessly and quickly “build” new dashboards and map operational use cases, even without additional programming expertise. This relieves the internal IT department and also eliminates costs for external consulting services or programming efforts.
“With the cronetwork portal, the user manages the balancing act between the enormous data volumes of modern production companies and customised data preparation as a basis for decision-making,” says Markus Zalud, CEO of Industrie Informatik GmbH. “Our software philosophy helps manufacturing companies to map their individual shop floor processes simply and agilely in the digital world. The special thing about it: all MES services remain 100% release- and update-capable and can also be seamlessly integrated into future cronetwork versions!”
Modular system for a wide range of portals
As in a modular system, the no-code portals can be put together from a variety of networked modules (portlets), such as lists, tachographs, drawings, input fields, images, hall monitors, diagrams, target/actual curves, etc. They can also be used integratively by integrating programmes from outside the system and enabling interaction through event technology. Portals can also be configured individually for each area of responsibility so that employees can intuitively adapt their own working environment to the needs of the respective role or department – be it production management, production, management, scheduling, human resources, quality assurance or logistics.
Operational business intelligence
To ensure that the information from the operational BI area can be prepared specifically and individually for the respective business and production processes, cronetwork offers the no-code technology PIDO (Production Info Data Objects). This technology not only enables powerful and proven ad-hoc reporting, but also seamless collaboration with the database on a simplified and highly individualised level.
PIDO accesses all data tables in the translated metamodel and both key users and employees from the administration and shop floor level can use this tool to easily perform individual analyses and reporting functions without having to resort to complex coding. As a result, PIDO serves as a standardised “interface” for accessing information, using it in various applications and contexts and intervening directly at the operational level via evaluations and adjusting data.
A notable strength of PIDO reports is that the data can be retrieved, visualised and further processed in common formats using REST APIs.
Practical example: Increasing efficiency at BHS Corrugated
The independent customisability of the software has proven to be a major advantage and efficiency boost for innovative companies such as BHS Corrugated Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH. For Janik Auburger, Specialist Cost Controlling at BHS, the PIDO & Portal technology is of particular importance: “We recognised its potential from the outset. The creation of new, customised services and solutions using no-code technology has opened many doors for us. We are now also building user PIDOs, for example. This means that we can not only obtain data, but also use it to deliver information back to cronetwork and other systems. Today, we are building cockpits that replicate and digitalise daily activities on the shop floor and beyond. For us, hardly a working day goes by without us using it to create new services or queries.” At BHS Corrugated, the majority of new requirements can be met without external help. According to Auburger, a certain basic understanding of databases is sufficient; programming knowledge is definitely not necessary.
Added value for the smart factory
The manufacturing landscape is changing more than ever and the door to the smart factory era is wide open for cronetwork users. Bernhard Falkner, CTO Industrie Informatik, summarises the added value of the solution:
The important cornerstones at this point are our powerful MES at its core with the option to expand into an innovative manufacturing execution platform, efficient customising through parameterisation, engineering options based on our portal technology supplemented by release-safe customer developments using a low-code platform and extensive access to best-practice solutions in our Solution Store.
No-code technology is an agile and efficient way of creating and adapting customised applications without having to rely on complex programming. The advantages for users are obvious:
Anita Peherstorfer
