Wonderware Factelligence for Shops

Technical Information
Wonderware Factelligence for Shops was designed with the most advanced architecture in the shop floor software industry. It has a robust three-tier architecture for MES (Machine Execution Systems) that provides scalability and flexibility. The system's components are the most recent Microsoft tools including SQL Server, COM+ objects, web server and XML. Some of the key features of the software architecture are described below:

• Database — Wonderware Factelligence for Shops uses Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or Oracle 9i database software for the underlying database.
• COM+ Middleware — The core logic of the Wonderware Factelligence for Shops system resides in the middle tier which is a COM+ application. This design has numerous advantages. The middleware can be installed on one or more servers to support load balancing and multi-site installations. In addition, the system logic is independent of the presentation layer making Wonderware Factelligence for Shops customizable and extensible. For example, the independent middleware design allows a customer to use a custom user interface on a remote RF device like a PDA to access Wonderware Factelligence for Shops while utilizing all of the configured business rules and system logic.
• Web based reporting application — real-time status views and historical reports are viewed in an application that is accessed through Microsoft Internet Explorer.
• XML — Wonderware Factelligence for Shops applications communicate to the middleware using XML. Therefore, Wonderware Factelligence for Shops clients can reside outside of a LAN. Wonderware Factelligence for Shops clients can be located at a vendor site or at another company location and communicate to the central database via HTTP.

Wonderware Factelligence for Shops is a highly customizable product that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of a wide range of companies and industries. However, customizations do not require a high level of competency or custom coding. The product can be configured via the graphical user interface with a minimal amount of computer savvy.

Wonderware Factelligence for Shops and Wonderware Factelligence
Wonderware also sells and installs a comprehensive Manufacturing Execution System (MES) named Wonderware Factelligence. Wonderware Factelligence and Wonderware Factelligence for Shops are related products, and they share the same code base. However, the products also have some important differences. Wonderware Factelligence is marketed to large- and mid-sized companies in a wide range of industries. Manufacturers of poultry products, consumer packaged goods, pharmaceuticals and custom-machined parts are currently using Wonderware Factelligence. Wonderware Factelligence for Shops is marketed specifically to discrete manufacturers whose primary manufacturing process is typically metal cutting. The base Wonderware Factelligence for Shops product has basic DNC features only. The base Wonderware Factelligence product assumes that a customer has a work order driven system. This difference dictates the initial entry cost for the software. Wonderware Factelligence for Shops customers do have the ability to upgrade their software to handle work orders by purchasing an advanced module.