9 June 2015
Faist, a multinational group operating through its 24 plants in Europe, North America and China, has chosen and implemented RuleDesigner enterprise PLM software suite to support inter-company collaboration and improve performances in PLM processes.
The project in question was characterized by high complex PLM workflows due to the fact that processes must be compliant to AIAG procedures for the automotive industry, but also due to the peculiarities of the company business reality.
By using RuleDesigner it was possible to establish comprehensive PLM processes able to integrate 5 business units and 7 local plants, for a total amount of 222 users.
Processes are structured in different stages spanning from the customer request to production and are supported by more than 100 automation procedures. These procedures are realized directly by the company IT team, autonomously, using rule-based modelling tools provided by RuleDesigner.
Moreover, the integrated process configurator allowed to set up configuration processes aimed at estimating manufacturing costs and supporting the user in the definition of the product’s quotation, reducing time spent for complex quotations by 75%.
The possibilities offered by RuleDesigner allowed to meets Faist’s need to decrease the index of defectiveness and all related costs, broadening the scope of the automotive procedures on other sectors.
As a matter of fact, KPI analysis carried out by the company after the introduction of RuleDesigner showed excellent results. Besides a global reduction of lead time by 9%, the analysis outlined a great improvement of performances related to errors in recognizing the right revision of product specifications (-68%); time for final data report ( - 35% / 15% ); search for information ( - 14%) and time for identifying resources responsible for specific activities or products (- 27%).
“RuleDesigner helps those people who have always worked in a simple and fast way to continue working without feeling the burden of a structured management […] Today, 90% of RuleDesigner users make benefit of a ready project template without having to intervene manually to modify flows, phases or tasks. The company manuals, reporting in details processes and procedures, is now available to anyone who wishes to consult it and this opportunity allows to better engage and empower all employees at Faist”, explains Tina Cortes, PLM Project Manager at Faist Componenti spa.
In conclusion, the benefits gained concern the establishment of standard procedure in a company which is historically heterogeneous; the possibility to share information across the company and filter them at all levels; reduce time spent in notifications that can be automated and the structured empowerment of each employee at all levels.