ERP SOlutions
for the Metallurgical Sector

The definition of the selling price for a new item is a delicate process that involves many business functions, starting with the Commercial department, followed by the Technical Office, the Purchasing department, and the Production and Quality functions.
All business functions contribute, each in their part, to the creation of a new estimate, and the management of the integrated process Workflow in Fluentis guides each function to complete the compilation of necessary information within the planned timeframes.

Fluentis’ estimation function allows for calculating the selling price of a new item starting from the estimated production cost.
It is possible to define a new cost by filling in the sequence of internal and external production processes, specifying the materials to be used for the new production and any additional costs. This allows for the definition of costs (initial, industrial, full) and the final selling price by applying a desired margin or markup percentage.
In the management of raw material costs, it is possible to take into account the potential recovery from processing scrap.
Each new estimate accepted by the customer generates a new sampling project.

Each new offer accepted by the customer generates a new sampling project.
The new project in Fluentis allows for gathering all project information, documents, and starting the collection of design hours from the technical office.
It enables the preparation of project activities and monitoring them through the Gantt chart, as well as assigning individual tasks to the involved resources.
At the end of the sampling activity, the project is closed, and any deviation from what was forecasted in the associated estimate is verified.

In addition to supplementing the item master with all the necessary data for its characterization, it is possible to insert any features directly into the code, making it easier to search, use, and analyze within the management system.

Fluentis provides a coder to facilitate the composition of the item code, which can be easily adapted to the customer’s needs.
In companies where products differ by alloy or thickness, this proves to be a valuable tool to avoid errors.

In the stamping sector, precise and timely management of molds and equipment is essential. In the production area of Fluentis, equipment management includes the ability to allocate them. For example, molds can be moved from the warehouse to the WIP (Work In Progress) production area and vice versa.
It is also possible to manage multi-cavity molds that produce the same item code or different item codes.
This is further complemented by mold maintenance management, which is based on desired parameters (e.g., idle time, number of cycles, etc.).
Both periodic and extraordinary maintenance of molds can be managed.

In the event that the company wishes to monitor the material sent on consignment to the drawing mills, it is possible to configure a dedicated warehouse management system in Fluentis.
This way, it will always be possible to have control over the availability of material ready for transformation.

In Fluentis, it is possible to define other units of measurement in addition to the management unit, one or more alternative units of measurement. This need is common in the metallurgical sector, where, in addition to the need to move items in pieces or meters, there is also the need to manage amounts in documents often referred to in kilograms.
The use of flags and the insertion of the conversion factor between units of measurement allows the system to automatically suggest the correct quantities.
In this regard, even the purchase price lists have been set up to manage prices not only for the main unit of measurement but also for the alternative one.

The interconnection between Fluentis and Industry 4.0 machines is a key element for the optimization and digital transformation of industries. Industry 4.0 is characterized by the integration of digital technologies into production processes.
Thanks to the interconnection between Fluentis and Industry 4.0 machines, companies can achieve greater operational efficiency and more intelligent resource management. Fluentis acts as the “heart” of the company, managing business activities such as resource planning, order management, inventory, accounting, etc.
Industry 4.0 enables the collection and real-time analysis of data from devices, sensors, and machines, improving visibility and automation of production processes. This data can be integrated into Fluentis, enabling more accurate and timely planning, reducing machine downtime, and optimizing the production flow.
The interconnection between Fluentis and Industry 4.0 machines promotes transparency throughout the entire supply chain, improving collaboration with suppliers and customers. This enables greater responsiveness to market demands and better stock management.
The use of AI in Industry 4.0 can enhance predictive maintenance, allowing for preventive intervention and reducing unforeseen downtime. Fluentis can be integrated with these systems to automatically manage maintenance operations and optimize spare parts inventory.
The interconnection between Fluentis and Industry 4.0 machines also facilitates custom production and product personalization to meet specific customer needs.
The real-time data analysis enabled by Industry 4.0 allows Fluentis to provide more accurate and immediate reports and dashboards, helping managers make more informed and strategic decisions.
Furthermore, the interconnection between Fluentis and Industry 4.0 machines enables better management of product quality. Fluentis can track production information, enabling the quick identification of defects or anomalies in the production process.
In conclusion, the interconnection between Fluentis and Industry 4.0 machines offers significant opportunities to improve the efficiency, agility, and competitiveness of industries. The integration of these technologies enables smarter resource management, more personalized and flexible production, as well as better analysis and use of business data. In Fluentis, interconnection can occur with various tools: Bizlink, Frontier Database, or via WebAPI.

The MES (Manufacturing Execution System) is the solution designed to be used directly on the shop floor by operators at the machines.
The simplified, wide-proportioned interface allows operation both from traditional PCs and from touch monitors or tablet PCs.
The system integrates in real-time with Fluentis ERP and allows the operator to verify:

• production sequences,
• production documentation,
• record time and machine downtime declarations,
• declare good or non-compliant quantities,
• log process quality checks,
• verify production KPIs, progress of recordings, and OEE,
• print product identification labels.

Discover more about Fluentis ERP’s integrated MES.

It is possible to code the plants and set deadlines and scheduled maintenance for them. Through the use of interventions, maintenance activities, the use of spare parts, or additional expenses can be tracked.
In production terms, molds and equipment are coded as actual records, allowing management of their association with specific processes and/or processed items.

Batch management is one of the best methods for organizing operational processes. Raw materials, items in process, and shipping units are identified by creating unique batches, which can be distinguished by creation date, origin, or other criteria. In Fluentis, batch management integrated with the management of UDC (unit of delivery) ensures that companies requiring traceability between the finished product and raw materials are supported.

Thanks to these management systems, it is much easier to verify data accuracy and track the flow of materials along the operational processes. The effectiveness of the ERP is also improved from a logistics perspective if, alongside these management systems, we use an integrated WMS like Fluentis Mobile.

Proper batch labeling and the consequent organization of operational processes are therefore crucial for those working in sectors where traceability is an essential requirement. For Fluentis, it is important to balance accuracy with functionality, ensuring both tracking and operational speed. For this reason, we have already developed BPMN processes to propose the best usage scenarios for our software and its functionalities.

Each individual batch/serial number and sheet metal cast received is managed with a quality status indicating dimensional and quality compliance, performed by different technicians and in a non-sequential manner.
Additionally, there is a record of the certificate communication (supplier’s testing report) with the option to attach the certificate itself.
Only with the conformity of these quality statuses is the sheet metal made available for the production process.
The supplier’s invoice related to non-compliant batches and casts will be marked as unpaid.
The project manager has visibility of the received batches and casts, and their status regarding dimensional compliance, quality, and the supplier’s certificate, thus having the ability to approve or reject invoice payment, with a log of the actions taken.