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Plant and shopfloor scheduling software
News Release from: Stone Technology | Subject: RedAnt computerised production control software
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 11 January 2008
Production control has best materials
traceability
Users of a computerised production control software report material traceability as 'second to none' and 'implementation was stress-free and training much easier than anticipated'.
To further encourage the first-time user of its RedAnt computerised production control software, Stone Technology offered its product free from mid-2007 to single users in small businesses The only conditions attached to this offer related to a two-day training programme and a one-year support contract, priced in total at just over GBP 1100 + VAT
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 21 Jun 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Stone Technology is offering to provide RedAnt software free to single users in small businesses.
The offer is still valid and, according to Stone Technology's Mark Coleman, has attracted several new users, some of whom have already upgraded to full networking systems.
A further eight RedAnt systems have been installed since June 2007 - when more than 40 systems were in operation on UK sites - and others are in the process of being installed, with further orders in the pipeline for 2008.
At the same time, there have been some improvements, as follows.
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* The scheduling module has been upgraded.
* A new MRP feature introduced.
* A new product sales order system developed.
* The system's reporting capability has been expanded.
The 'good news' for users, said Stone Technology to manufacturingtalk.com, is that with a valid support contract every upgrade is free of charge.
The product uses the latest Microsoft development languages and SQL 2005 database.
This, said Coleman, makes RedAnt 'bullet proof' when it comes to future operating system upgrades.
Satisfied SME customers include Wilmslow, Cheshire-based APEL and J W Hill Precision Engineering in Worcester.
* Testimonials - APEL's Phillip Fallon described RedAnt's material traceability from source to finish as: "Second to none".
J W Hill's Linda Coxall said: "The implementation of the RedAnt system was stress-free and training our staff was much easier than anticipated".
To put these testimonials in context APEL has been supplying a wide range of precision fasteners and components to aerospace customers since 1965.
J W Hill, which was established in 1936, specialises in tooling for can making machinery as well as automotive work.
Both companies are involved in the development of RedAnt, and without their and other users' feedback and ideas Coleman acknowledged that RedAnt would be: "Just another production control system engineered by computer programmers rather than one written by manufacturers for manufacturers".
Stone Technology encourages users to become involved in the development of the various software modules, resulting in a customer-driven product designed for ease of use with the lowest possible cost of installation and maintenance.
Ideal for the smaller business, RedAnt offers the sophistication and functionality of its much larger expensively marketed competitors, with core modules covering day-to-day manufacturing requirements such as Quotations, Customer Orders, Delivery/Invoices, Purchasing and Stock.
Also included as standard are the quality control modules, including Certificates of Conformity, Calibration, and Customer/Supplier Non-Conformances and Concessions.
Stone Technology has also made a virtue of using everyday terms rather than computer jargon in the system's operating procedures.
The result, said Coleman, is that RedAnt is simple in structure and very easy to implement.
Software updates, for example, can be downloaded from Stone Technology's FTP site.
There is also a dedicated support telephone number that connects directly to RedAnt's support technicians or the user can connect using the internet via the low cost Skype option.
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