ERP for manufacture helps customer move to integrate robotics and IoT in production

Dutch precision manufacturer Boers & Co has expanded its Epicor Enterprise Resource Planning  (ERP) system to provide full integration and visibility across production, including mobile and machining robots.

While Boers has used Epicor’s ERP for around a decade, more recent evolution of the system has supported wider transformation of its operations, says the manufacturer. Key to this process have been automation, integrated Internet of Things (IoT) control and data systems and a lean production chain with minimal handling required. 

Boers has its own in-house TechRacks logistics and carrier system which works together with OTTO autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) from Rockwell Automation. These systems integrate together and with Epicor Kinetic cognitive ERP, using Epicor IoT. According to the company, Epicor IoT combines the power of Microsoft Azure IoT Hub with data and context from Epicor Kinetic. 

Chief executive at Boers Ronald Koot says: “We chose Epicor because we believed that their data warehouse across the company would enable us to create the best possible solutions.” 

Information and communications technology manager at the company Jos Greeve stresses the importance of innovation and reinvention. “With Epicor IoT, we can detect machinery issues earlier for preventive maintenance,” he says. “Epicor will alert us if performance is degrading, and we can fix it before there is unplanned downtime. Optimised machine productivity translates to higher on-time delivery rates with less overtime.” 

There are other specifics which benefit from the evolution of this integrated system. “As the company has evolved from strictly B2B to include manufacturing consumer products, we needed 100% materials traceability, which is what Epicor helps to deliver,” says Koot. “That has opened the door to the manufacture of medical devices, which come with high data demands.” 

Robotics are even used for cleaning around the plant. “No one likes to sweep the floor,” says Koot. “Robots free our people to do more of what matters, to them and to the business.” 

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