ERP suite gets added functionality

Supply chain solutions vendor SSI has shipped TROPOS 2.4.0, a major upgrade to its class-leading ERP suite for process and lean discrete manufacturing companies.

Supply chain solutions vendor SSI has shipped TROPOS 2.4.0, a major upgrade to its class-leading ERP suite for process and lean discrete manufacturing companies.

Described by industry analysts Butler Group as: "having added important functionality to a well-established product offering - SSI scores heavily, especially in the mid-market space - Version 2.4.0 continues this expert focus," the new version of TROPOS strengthens the company's focus on key process sectors: food and drink, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, paper, primary metals and lean discrete manufacturing.

In addition to the new application features, the TROPOS toolset provided makes it even easier to configure to meet individual processing requirements, and to integrate with other systems.

The new version of TROPOS contains significant new functionality, delivering true attribute-based manufacturing, removing the need for multiple part numbers; improved subcontract processing control; enhanced despatch planning; new quality management features; a range B2B E-business kits and XML documents; the powerful and easy-to-use TROPOS SuperSearch Business Information Portal; specialist functionality for the drinks industry, including enhanced Customs and Excise reporting, the unique Bulk Whisky Workbench and warehouse space rental management.

But perhaps most powerful of all is SSI's TROPOS Active business process automation and workflow technology.

SSI's new TROPOS Active technology, developed within the application, could help to relieve some of the silo culture problems that see information stuck in one place, inaccessible to those in other parts of the business or supply chain who really need it.

The TROPOS Active engine allows users to define processes, events, rules and formats, and configure automated responses to these.

So, for example, the arrival of a sales order could trigger an email alert to a planner, the confirmation of a delivery date might automatically result in a mail being sent to the customer, or an alert coming in to the system from the shopfloor might prompt the planner to reschedule production.

And TROPOS Active can link to external systems, or use messaging protocols such as XML to automate processes that previously relied on manual inputs.

"Best of all," says SSI development director Dale Barrington, "you don't need to be a programmer - this kind of process automation is easy with TROPOS Active.

It will permit more timely and reliable communication, proactive alerting, warning and escalation and faster supply chain integration.

TROPOS's already class-leading functionality for mill-based manufacturing has been significantly enhanced with the introduction of attribute-based production.

Instead of a different part number having to be raised for every variation of a product, the variations are now defined by attributes which in turn define how the product is sold, manufactured, stored and distributed.

This approach has many applications outside mills - in fact almost any product variation that can be described in words can be managed with attributes.

Butler Group analyst Andy Kellet says: "Vendors that concentrate their efforts into niche market areas - can provide a number of inbuilt benefits that generalist ERP suppliers may not be able to match" SSI MD Trevor Lewis says: "Version 2.4.0 demonstrates our continued commitment to the development of TROPOS and will be of major benefit to our users.

We believe that it enhances our position as a leading ERP supplier for manufacturing companies in process and lean discrete sectors.

Back to top