|
|
Connaught
Electronics Ltd
6
. Implementation
Technical
Dimensions
The planned architecture was as follows:
- A
web server provides a front end to customers and
suppliers. It has been designed to enable the dissemination
of data from the internal systems to selected external
entities. Data such as:
o stock control
o process information
o generic data
- The
web server is able to accept orders directly from
EDI. EDI files would enter the system and be interpreted
by the web server and forwarded automatically to
the ERP system.
-
The Manser IE ERP server would handle several processes:
o sales orders
o order tracking
o inventory
o compiling tracking data
- The
ERP system interfaces to an Oracle database for
data storage.
-
Linked to the database, the bar coding system would
be used to scan:
o raw materials upon arrival at the factory
o materials when arriving on the shop floor
- Also
linked to the database, the traceability system
would make use of the bar coding facility to:
o products throughout the production process
o log serial numbers of individual boards and components
o log test results through the entire production
lifecycle and flag any faults
o capture and store data enabling the tracing of
any recalls on all products
To
support this extensive architecture, CEL had to update their
entire existing network. They had to designate a dedicated IT
area within their facility to house the new servers. All networks
were updated and new fibre optic cabling connected the IT room
with over three hundred separate data points.
CEL
installed a dial up ISDN connection for external access but
was, at time of writing, planning to upgrade their connectivity
to broadband satellite.
CEL
invested in new hardware to support each of the projects:
- traceability
o purchased new PC's and scanners for the shop floor
o purchased new server
-
ERP
o shared with traceability server
-
security
o firewall to protect their internal systems
o router to accurately direct data
o VPN
The
company bought additional hardware and software to run on or
support these systems including:
- virus
protection software
- an
Oracle database
-
disaster recovery systems
Although
CEL had an internal web server, the customer-facing
portion of this was hosted with an external ISP (Internet Service Provider - see sidebar]. This way they could
replicate the portions of the web site useful for customers
externally; this reduced their exposure to potential
security breaches.
|
|
