Released on = February 27, 2006, 4:09 pm

Press Release Author = Thomas Cutler

Industry = Management

Press Release Summary = Thomas R. Cutler Profiles ERP and CAD Integration in
Engineer-to-Order Environment



Press Release Body = The current issue of Automation.com includes a feature article
by contributing editor, Thomas R. Cutler about ERP and CAD integration in the ETO
(Engineer-to-Order) Environment. According to Cutler's feature, traditional ERP
systems were developed for the repetitive, make-to-stock manufacturer, where there
is a clear demarcation between design and production. In that environment the
engineer designs the product in a CAD application. After testing and prototyping,
the product is released to production, which is managed by the ERP system.

The design engineer has little or no interaction with the ERP system and works quite
happily in a CAD environment. Following the work of the design engineer, a
production engineer then creates a bill of materials (BOM), based on how it will be
manufactured, not on how the product is designed.

In the Engineer-to-Order (ETO) world the role of the design engineer is very
different. By its nature an ETO company builds a unique product designed to meet the
specification of a single customer. The two worlds of design and manufacturing are
closely linked. In many cased the design of the product continues through the
product process (design-in-process), incorporating a multitude of engineering
changes. These changes can be driven by the customer or by the manufacturer. In this
environment a seamless flow of data between engineering and production is critical.
An ETO company must integrate CAD and ERP.

Automation.com is for manufacturers and suppliers of industrial, factory and process
automation, motion control, machine control, process control and instrumentation
products and services. Automation.com attracts engineers, programmers, designers,
technicians and other professionals who specify, purchase and use control systems,
software, robotics, sensors and other supporting products to automate machines,
equipment and factories in both discrete and continuous manufacturing processes.

Thomas R. Cutler, who founded the Manufacturing Media Consortium in 1999, has grown
the participation from 300 journalists to more than two thousands key clients,
journalists, editors, trendsetters, and key business leaders worldwide. Cutler has
authored more than 1000 articles for a wide range of manufacturing periodicals,
industrial publications, and business journals including most of the leading monthly
trade publications. Cutler is the author of The Manufacturers' Public Relations and
Media Guide. Cutler was voted #1 Manufacturing Journalist for the third year in a
row. The firm has forty-two employees worldwide. TR Cutler, Inc.,
(www.trcutlerinc.com), is the nation\'s largest manufacturing marketing and public
relations firm, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.




Web Site = http://www.trcutlerinc.com

Contact Details = TR Cutler, Inc.
www.trcutlerinc.com
Thomas Cutler
954-486-7562