SYSPRO Cloud ERP gains traction amidst ongoing supply chain disruptions Following from an extensive early adopter program, SYSPRO, a global Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software provider, has launched its Cloud ERP deployment option to Australian manufacturers and distributors. Designed to make things possible in key industries, SYSPRO Cloud ERP provides businesses with the agility to meet evolving market demands amidst ongoing supply chain disruptions. SYSPRO Cloud ERP offers manufacturers multiple benefits including the ability to collaborate in real-time, the capacity to adopt best industry practice, the proficiency to customise requirements and reduce IT Infrastructure, resilience and management costs, as well as the ability to future-proof operations. Research shows that the vulnerabilities caused by supply chain disruptions have increased focus on resiliency, transparency and visibility. According to the recent SYSPRO global research survey titled ‘Realigning the links of the disconnected supply chain’, 70 percent of manufacturing and distribution businesses experienced supply chain disruptions over the last few years. Added to those pressures,60 percent of businesses were unable to engage and collaborate with customers and suppliers in real-time. While collaboration and supply chain disruptions have been the biggest areas of impact, only 45 percent of businesses have the systems in place to address these disruptions and effectively collaborate with external suppliers and customers. “Manufacturers have come to realise that in order to overcome supply chain disruptions, their business operations need to consider a different approach to ensure supply-chain resiliency. We are now witnessing a time where manufacturers and distributors are considering the value in the journey towards digital transformation with cloud at the centre of that strategy. With the pandemic, their cautious hesitancy to adopt cloud systems has been largely allayed as they acknowledge that the cloud allows for collaboration, communication and business continuity. “With SYSPRO Cloud ERP, manufacturers and distributors still get the […]
Company News
OFS and The 5th Ingredient partner for US and Australian craft beer expansion
Australian manufacturing performance software company, OFS, and US ‘grain-to-glass’ brewery data management company, The 5th Ingredient, have signed a first-of-its-kind craft brewing partnership to help the companies expand in each other’s home markets to help the craft beer industry become more data driven. OFS’s software, which uses sensors to draw real-time data from the packing line to identify and reduce inefficiencies and waste, has become the de facto standard for filling and packing-line efficiency monitoring in Australia. It is already used by around half of Australia’s craft breweries including Stomping Ground and Tribe Breweries. The 5th Ingredient, founded in the craft beer capital of San Diego, has had similar success in the US with its proprietary Beer30 brewery software, which assesses data from the moment raw ingredients are purchased to when the can, bottle or keg is sold. The 5th Ingredient has already deployed its software in more than 10 per cent of the Australian industry, while OFS, having recently launched in the US, has already signed its first three US breweries including Pelican Brewing Company, a leading Oregon-based craft brewery. The brewing software specialists now aim to expand their footprint across both countries’ entire industries, at a rate of 100 breweries a year. The software integration between Beer30 and OFS provides unmatched visibility into yield, covering losses from every step of the brewing and packing process in real time. For example, OFS could capture a series of downtimes on the filler correlating to a CO2 quality issue captured by Beer30, which has affected a portion of the product. If the overall problem is related to raw ingredients, it could also identify the relevant batch and which products were affected, preventing a larger-than-needed product recall. Importantly, both OFS and Beer30 are viable solutions for brewers of all sizes where efficiency […]
Objective3D advances additive manufacturing strategy with over A$2million investment
Australia Manufacturing Week (AMW) 2022 news Objective3D, a leader and the largest Stratasys provider of Additive Manufacturing (AM) solutions in Australia, has invested over A$2million to advance additive manufacturing at a production scale, including new innovative material offerings and an expanded AM software ecosystem with the availability of new polymer 3D printing systems for the Australian market. The investment includes the latest in Stratasys technologies and a newly constructed manufacturing pods at the Objective3D Additive Manufacturing Centre located in Carrum Downs, VIC, making it the largest showroom and additive manufacturing service bureau in the region. The new technologies are the Stratasys F770, J826, J35Pro, H350 and Origin One and will cover Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), PolyJet, Selective Absorption Fusion (SAF) and P3™ Programmable Photopolymerisation. “These new technologies represent an opportunity to seriously tackle production manufacturing using additive”, said Matt Minio, Managing Director of Objective3D. “Our greatest growth today comes from customers who either wish to manufacture serious production volumes on their own additive system or have Objective3D manufacture for them. “These latest in-house technologies and new materials further enhance the ability for customers to manufacture greater production volumes using additive, producing components that are representative of injection moulded parts for their strength and surface finish. With the current disruptions to global supply chain, this technology couldn’t have arrived at a better time.” These latest technologies are currently available in Australia and will be available for viewing at the Objective3D Stand (stand no. AM30) in the upcoming Australia Manufacturing Week (AMW) 2022. SAF™ Technology powers new Stratasys H350 3D printer for production scale The Stratasys H350 3D printer is designed for the production of thousands of parts as additive manufacturing at higher volumes gains momentum in the industry. The first 3D printer in Stratasys’ new H Series™ Production Platform, powered by […]
Inductive sensors now in compact D3 and M4 housing
Treotham’s range of Wenglor inductive sensors with increased switching distances features enhanced performance in miniature design: A total of eight new sensors from the I03 and I04 series in the compact D3 and M4 housing for detecting metallic objects in confined systems. Practically no larger than a pin head, the robust sensors in V2A stainless steel housing demonstrate their strengths exactly where space is most limited. The I03 series sensors have a diameter of just 3 mm (D3) and a smooth housing, while the I04 series has an external thread with a total diameter of 4 mm (M4). With both series, the housing is just 22 mm long. The almost invisible miniature sensors detect precise switching signals in places where virtually no installation space is available. Increased switching distances of up to 1 mm, a robust PUR cable connection (two meters), a high IP67 degree of protection and a broad temperature range between –25°C and +70°C ensure high performance and long service life. Thanks to flush mounting, the sensors can be integrated mechanically protected in systems. The optional PNP/NPN and NO/NC variants also enable convenient handling with existing systems. Thanks to the LED adjustment aid, the sensors can also be easily installed. The bright LED shows the status clearly, even over long distances. Eight new products expand the entire portfolio The introduction of the I03 and I04 Wenglor series expands Treotham’s product portfolio for increased switching distances by eight new sensors (four per design). In total, there are now sensors in nine different formats in this range, with five connection types and in 15 different housing lengths. With this wide range of products there is a suitable solution for every special requirement. Thanks to the new types, solutions are now also available in areas with very little space, where a […]
igus receives UL approval for halogen-free TPE cables
The long service life of igus chainflex high-end TPE cables from Treotham convinces inspectors and gives customers certified security As the world’s first manufacturer, igus has received UL AWM certification from the well-known US organisation Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for its high-end TPE cables that do not use fire-retardant halogens as additives. This is the first time that the testing organisation has recognised that halogen-free TPE cables can also meet the fire protection requirements in industry. The independent organisation Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is one of the most important authorities in the USA in terms of product safety. It has been testing components of machines and systems since 1894 to see whether they are suitable for industrial use. Their seal is one of the prerequisites for a successful market entry in North America. Fire protection is a key decisive criteria. This is because, according to the US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), machine fires are the fourth leading cause of fires in industrial environments in the USA, closely followed by fires caused by electrical factors. Fire protection can also be achieved without halogens For this certification, the igus engineers had to do a lot of persuading. Up to now, the flame retardancy of cables has been the key factor in obtaining UL certification for fire protection. Approval is therefore only granted to products containing flame retardants such as chlorine, fluorine or bromine. These additives increase the flame retardancy. However, so far it has not been taken into account that the flame retardants generally change the chemical structure of the jacket and reduce the mechanical load-bearing capacity. Therefore, igus starts much earlier in the process: The cable specialist focuses less on preventing a fire from spreading, but rather on how the cable itself caused the fire. The TPE jacket compounds are extremely resistant […]
Biarri EMI expands and rebrands as CRU Software
Despite continued global hurdles Cru Softwares has seen a 38% growth in clients; launched a number of great product features, and a Mobile Worker App – designed with the user in mind. “I’ve seen our employees band together, working tirelessly to take on new challenges and continue to be the backbone of our organisation. Even though life continues to be unpredictable, our team has adapted, improvised when necessary, and helped bring stability and growth to the businesses that rely on us.” “Throughout it all, our priority has always been to deliver on our commitments to all our clients who have counted on us. And as we prepare to expand our services catering for an even broader market, I’m proud to share news of a new chapter for our company with a new brand. “The rebrand and expanded software offering is an important milestone for us. It provides us with an opportunity to diversify, servicing new sectors outside our core while expanding our partnerships, global reach, and integrations with businesses across the world” says Jason Cameron, CEO of CRU Software. The new offering draws on the best of the past, continuing to add a ton of new capabilities and features for the future. It\’s the result of many hours of effort from dedicated mathematicians, software engineers, programmers, and designers – all of which have resulted in the most innovative automated rostering and scheduling software on the market. Take a moment to check out the products for yourself, but below is a top-line look at some of the power behind it: User-friendly mobile worker appEnhanced fatigue managementReal-time roster and schedule validationIntegrations with best-in-class Travel Management & Employee CompetencyYou can now manage large scale workforces in a single view As a result of the renewed focus on Rostering and Scheduling, CRU Software’s enhanced […]
Six-year agreements for major projects will create high-paid jobs
Allowing employers and unions to negotiate longer workplace deals for major resources and energy projects is an extremely important policy that would create thousands of high-paid jobs in Australia. Australian Resources and Energy Group, AMMA, has been calling for extended terms for employment arrangements applicable to new major projects, known as “greenfields agreements”, for well over a decade. “The Department of Industry shows there are more than 350 major resources and energy projects, in various stages of feasibility and commitment, in Australia’s investment pipeline,” Steve Knott AM, CEO of AMMA, said. “If all could be secured, the five-year employment projections would easily exceed 100,000 new jobs. “These jobs would range from trades and construction through to production roles – all paying salaries well in excess of $100,000 and for most, much more. “But in order to secure job-creating major project capital in Australia, and not see it lost to competing nations, we need to sharpen our game. “It makes no sense that the maximum term for major project greenfields agreements is currently four years, when the construction of large-scale resources and energy projects can often exceed that. “Even a small increase to six years would make a huge difference to the international investment community that determines which nations they will allocate billions of dollars of major project capital.” Mr Knott said six-year terms for major projects “should be uncontroversial” and encourages the Federal Opposition, the trade union movement and other stakeholders to be considered in their response. “Such agreements could have an inbuilt mechanism to ensure appropriate pay increases throughout the life of the project,” he said. AMMA also notes the following statement by the former Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, just days before the 2019 Federal Election: We would look at companies undertaking these […]
Supply chain crisis
Jarrod Kinchington, Infor ANZ vice-president and managing director How has the global supply chain crisis that unfolded in 2021 affected the manufacturing sector in the ANZ region? No vertical market appears to be immune to the hardships and challenges resulting from the global pandemic. As we find ourselves in the third year of the pandemic, the repercussions from severe supply and demand imbalances are still being felt worldwide with an immense impact on the manufacturing industry. From availability and increasing cost of labour, freight capacity, semiconductors, empty chassis and warehouse storage space, this crisis has now revealed itself to be multifaceted and an ongoing concern for 2022. Following the Omicron outbreak and amidst trade and shipping chaos, some emerging long-term patterns show that the manufacturing sector will continue to be impacted by the ongoing supply chain issues. The cost of ocean and air freight shipping will likely remain even after current congestion and capacity constraints have settled. It is expected that traditional ‘peak’ seasons will start earlier and run longer, whereas freight contracts are predicted to run for shorter terms. Is there a way smart manufacturing technology can help organisations predict and prepare for such events in the post-pandemic future? The supply chain crisis has taught enterprises worldwide that more needs to be done to secure their operations. While we are likely to continue managing supply chain disruptions that will increase in pace and impact, we must grow supply chain resilience and have the ability to forecast disruptions into the future. Organisations must prioritise first-mile technology investments and collaborative logistics service provider relationships. They cannot afford to be solely focused on price or low cost. Instead, they must have new goals for holistic and multi-dimensional forms of visibility for freight capacity, supplier work-in-progress and financial health, modal hand-off points and […]
Combatting pressures in the building industry
Those tuned into the state of the market would be aware of the rising cost of materials, threatening companies in Australia’s construction and manufacturing sector. The past couple of months has seen the fall of two construction companies, Probuild in February, and Condev in late March – both attributed to unsustainably high material costs. An Australian Chamber and Westpac Survey of Industrial trends report found that Australian manufacturers are facing cost pressures they haven’t seen since the 1970’s. These rising cost pressures are hampering the manufacturing industry’s post-lock recovery which started to kick off this year with rising orders through the early months of 2022 with rising job numbers a key factor (according to Westpac senior economist Andrew Hanlan). This is raising concerns over profits, with 5% of survey respondents indicating they expect their profits to increase in the year to come, (down from a net 18% of respondents in the December quarter). Businesses operating on-shore will now be considering how they can continue to operate locally when the cost of goods continues to increase and offshore production may appear to offer a necessary reprieve in financial pressures. One Australian-made and owned business that is mitigating these issues is the Sydney-based louvre window manufacturing company, Safetyline Jalousie. Safetyline Jalousie’s Founder and Director, Leigh Rust (pictured), advises that looking at your spending from a holistic perspective will help to mitigate the pressures of rising material costs. “While we finally thought things were on the up – with a strengthening workforce and increasing orders – the heightened cost of materials is presenting new issues which have to be proactively and strategically navigated,” said Leigh. “We all know that the cost of materials is rising, so rather than waiting for the impact of this to be felt and being left with a reduction […]
Golden State Mining announces new Payne’s Find Lithium Project
Gold, lithium, and base metals exploration company Golden State Mining Limited is substantially growing its’ footprint across Western Australia following the successful granting of two out of five tenement applications at GSM’s new ~1200km2 Payne’s Find Project in the Murchison region of Western Australia. Located immediately east and 30km north of Payne’s Find in the Murchison region of Western Australia, GSM has secured the ground for its lithium and base metal potential based on open file aeromagnetic and remote sensing data evaluation. The project-scale lithium targeting work has already commenced on the new, underexplored tenure of the entire project area, with further reconnaissance and initial soil sampling work due to commence in the coming weeks. Golden State’s Managing Director, Michael Moore, said “The diligent targeting work carried out by GSM during the second half of 2021 is already paying off for the company with the recent granting of two out of five tenement applications at Payne’s Find, being an exciting addition to the GSM stable of projects across Western Australia. In conjunction with a well-regarded industry consultant, this greenfields area was specifically targeted for its lithium prospectivity, however, the recent Meleya discovery by Tempest Minerals Limited some 30km away has also highlighted the importance of base metals opportunities in this region.” The new Payne’s Find Project adds to GSM’s quality projects focussed on Western Australia, with the flagship being the Yule Project in the under-explored Mallina Basin in the Pilbara region of the State. GSM’s 100% per cent owned holding is a strategic ground position in the highly sought-after Archaean Mallina Basin, with the tenement package hosting intrusive bodies and major structural corridors. The most recent drill campaign uncovered a significant gold intersection of 4m @ 0.8g/t from 74 metres. “The region is seriously under-explored. GSM continues to validate the […]