Released on: February 5, 2008, 6:24 am

Press Release Author: Thomas R. Cutler

Industry: Software

Press Release Summary: Escape Velocity Systems Food Processing ERP Profiled in Times
Food Processing Journal

Press Release Body: The benefits of effective scheduling in the food processing
industry are also unique and substantial. Good schedules take more time producing
and less time performing cleanouts - resulting in increased output and higher
revenues. In addition, risks associated with spoilage and cross contamination are
reduced as there are the costs of storing products that are produced too early or
shipped late. Even transport costs can be reduced by tightly integrating shipment
schedules with production.

Manufacturing journalist, Thomas R. Cutler discusses the importance of effective
scheduling in the food processing industry in the current issue of Times Food
Processing Journal. In many ways food process production is similar to other
industries. In the food processing industry the products must be produced on time to
meet demand as production capacity is limited. Raw material purchasing and
intermediate production must be coordinated as there are constraints limiting the
equipment to be used for production. In addition, food process manufacturing poses a
number of unique production scheduling challenges. There are spoilage concerns,
cross-contamination must be avoided, cleanouts can be lengthy, intermediate storage
is limited and conveyance equipment constrains material flow paths.


Defining production capacity, production rates and expected yields

Production equipment in food processing is extremely expensive and therefore
limited. A facility's maximum production output is constrained by physical
constraints such as the following:

. The number of machines available
. The rates at which products are produced on each machine
. The time lost to yield problems, changeovers, and equipment downtime.

Capacity is lost due to 'timing constraints' - where raw materials or intermediates
are not available at the right time or when equipment is not staffed and is kept
offline according to the hours of operation. In these situations equipment is idle
by choice or at least according to 'plan'. Some of the physical capacity constraints
are relatively static, which are ported directly into the ERP system. These
constraints are as follows:

. Work centers with specific defined machines
. Expected yield rates by product
. Standard production rates by product and by work centre.

"Often the output rate and expected yield for a single product can vary depending
upon the specific piece of equipment used. For example, one mixer may produce 250
gallons per batch while another produces 1,000 gallons per batch so the time to
produce 'x' gallons varies based on the mixers chosen. This is handled by creating a
lookup table that specifies the capacity, production rate and expected yield of each
product on each machine," says Evan Garber, President of Escape Velocity Systems
(www.evs-sw.com), which specializes in formula-based process manufacturing.

The term escape velocity refers to the speed that is necessary for an object to
overcome gravity and soar into space. EVS provides direct applications for
businesses looking for a catalyst, not just a software package. Process
manufacturers require the best software solution coupled with industry experience
that will accelerate the velocity with which they race towards their goals. The
gravity of status-quo opposes aggressive, cutting edge organizations as they strive
towards high quality and short lead time delivery while reducing inventories and
operating costs.



Escape Velocity Systems
www.evs-sw.com
Evan Garber
President
solutions@evs-sw.com
303.494.1765 x114



Web Site: http://www.evs-sw.com

Contact Details: Escape Velocity Systems
2530 55th St.
Suite 204
Boulder, CO 80301
303-494-1765