How to Calculate Performance in Epicor

Manufacturing performance is a crucial aspect of any production operation. It allows businesses to measure and assess their efficiency and productivity levels. One popular software solution that many manufacturing companies use is Epicor. In this article, we will explore how to calculate manufacturing performance in Epicor, the value of performance metrics when calculating overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), how to interpret manufacturing metrics, and the steps to calculate manufacturing performance in Epicor. We will also cover how performance affects OEE and the benefits of integrating third-party tools, such as Mingo Smart Factory, for accurate performance insights.

Value of Performance Metrics When Calculating OEE

When it comes to measuring manufacturing performance, performance metrics play a significant role. They provide valuable data that enables businesses to identify areas of improvements and make informed decisions. One crucial performance metric is the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). OEE measures the productivity and efficiency of equipment by considering three key factors: availability, performance, and quality.

Availability focuses on the amount of time that equipment is available for production. Higher availability indicates less downtime and optimal utilization of resources.

Performance measures the speed at which the equipment performs compared to its designed capacity. It considers factors like cycle time, speed losses, and production rate.

Quality reflects the percentage of good-quality products that are produced. It considers factors like scrap, rework, and defects.

By calculating OEE, businesses can gain a comprehensive understanding of how well their equipment is performing and identify areas for improvement in availability, performance, and quality.

OEE is not just a standalone metric but can be integrated with other performance indicators to provide a more holistic view of manufacturing operations. For example, combining OEE with Overall Labor Effectiveness (OLE) can help businesses assess the overall efficiency of both equipment and labor in the production process. This integrated approach allows companies to identify potential bottlenecks in production and optimize resource allocation.

Furthermore, OEE data can be analyzed over time to track performance trends and patterns. By conducting trend analysis, businesses can proactively address issues before they escalate, leading to improved overall equipment performance and operational efficiency. This historical data can also be used for benchmarking purposes, comparing current performance against past performance or industry standards to set realistic improvement goals.

Step-by-Step Guide to Calculating Manufacturing Performance in Epicor

Step 1: Access Epicor ERP

1. Log in to Epicor ERP: Use your login credentials to access the system. Your access level will determine which modules and features you can utilize.
2. Navigate to the Production Management Module: This module contains tools for managing and monitoring production activities, where you can find data needed for the performance calculation.

Step 2: Collect Necessary Data

To calculate performance, you will need three key data points:

1. Ideal Cycle Time: This is the standard time required to produce one unit under ideal conditions. To locate this data:
   • Go to the Engineering Workbench or Bill of Operations within Epicor.
   • Select the relevant product or part.
   • The ideal cycle time is usually found under the Operations tab, within the routing information for the specific product or operation.
2. Total Count: This represents the total number of units produced during the production run.
   • Navigate to the Job Tracker or Production Tracker within the Production Management module.
   • Select the relevant job or operation.
   • The total count (quantity produced) is typically displayed in the Job Details or Operation Production section.
3. Run Time: This is the total time the production equipment was actively running during the production process.
   • In the Job Tracker or Production Tracker, find the Run Time data associated with the specific job or operation.
   • Ensure that this time excludes any downtime or stoppages to get an accurate performance calculation.

Step 3: Perform the Calculation

With the necessary data in hand:

1. Open a Calculator or Spreadsheet: Epicor does not automatically calculate performance using the OEE formula, so you will need to perform this calculation externally, such as in Excel or a simple calculator.
2. Input the Data:
   • Multiply the Ideal Cycle Time by the Total Count.Divide this product by the Run Time.

Step 4: Record and Analyze the Performance

1. Document the Performance: Record your calculated performance in a spreadsheet, report, or directly into Epicor if your system has custom fields for performance metrics.
2. Compare to Standards: Evaluate the calculated performance against your organization’s performance targets or industry benchmarks to determine if the production process is operating as expected.
3. Investigate Any Issues: If performance is lower than expected, use Epicor’s analytics and reporting tools to investigate potential causes, such as prolonged downtime, equipment inefficiencies, or operator errors.

Step 5: Continuous Improvement and Optimization

1. Review Performance Regularly: Consistently monitor performance over time to spot trends or recurring issues. This helps in making data-driven decisions for process improvements.
2. Take Corrective Actions: Based on your analysis, implement corrective measures to enhance performance. These actions could involve maintenance, operator training, or process adjustments.
3. Leverage Epicor’s Advanced Features: Consider using Epicor’s advanced modules like Advanced MES (Manufacturing Execution System) to automate data collection and improve the accuracy of performance metrics. These tools can help streamline the process, making performance calculations more efficient and less prone to errors.

Leveraging Epicor Reports for Performance Insights

Epicor offers a wide range of built-in reports that provide valuable insights into manufacturing performance. These reports can be customized to align with specific business requirements.

Some of the key reports that can aid in performance analysis include:

• Production Performance Report: This report provides an overview of key performance metrics, such as OEE, cycle time, scrap rate, or uptime. It helps identify areas of improvement at a glance.
• Quality Control Report: This report focuses on quality-related metrics, such as rework rate, scrap rate, or first-pass yield. It enables businesses to monitor and address quality issues effectively.
• Downtime Analysis Report: This report analyzes equipment downtime, including its causes and duration. It helps identify patterns and areas where downtime can be minimized.
• Productivity Comparison Report: This report compares productivity across different shifts, machines, or product lines. It allows businesses to identify best practices and optimize resource allocation.

By leveraging these Epicor reports, businesses can gain greater visibility into their manufacturing performance and make data-driven decisions to improve efficiency and productivity.

How Performance Affects OEE

Manufacturing performance directly impacts OEE, which is a crucial metric for evaluating equipment efficiency. Let’s delve deeper into how performance affects OEE:

Availability: Poor equipment availability due to frequent breakdowns, maintenance, or changeovers significantly affects OEE. Maximizing availability through proper maintenance and efficient scheduling can enhance OEE.

Performance: Slow cycle times, speed losses, or production rate variations directly impact OEE. By optimizing performance, businesses can increase OEE and meet production targets more effectively.

Quality: Higher scrap rates, rework rates, or defective products lead to reduced OEE. By focusing on quality control measures, such as training programs or process improvements, businesses can improve OEE and overall product quality.

Improving performance in these areas will result in higher OEE, indicating better equipment efficiency and productivity.

Integrating Smart Factory Tools for Accurate Performance Insights

While Epicor provides robust manufacturing performance analysis capabilities, integrating third-party tools can further enhance accuracy and provide comprehensive insights. One such tool is Mingo Smart Factory.

Mingo Smart Factory integrates with Epicor to gather real-time data from production equipment, sensors, and other systems. It provides advanced analytics and visualization capabilities, enabling businesses to monitor and analyze performance in real-time.

Mingo Smart Factory offers features including:

• Real-time Performance Monitoring: Monitor key performance metrics, downtime, and production rates in real-time, allowing for immediate interventions.
• Anomaly Detection: Identify abnormal patterns or performance variations, enabling proactive troubleshooting and optimizing production processes.
• Predictive Maintenance: Utilize machine learning algorithms to predict equipment failures or maintenance needs, minimizing downtime and optimizing maintenance schedules.
• Advanced Reporting and Dashboards: Generate comprehensive reports and visualizations to gain in-depth insights into manufacturing performance.

By integrating tools like Mingo Smart Factory with Epicor, businesses can achieve greater accuracy and agility in measuring and improving their manufacturing performance.

Integrating Mingo Smart Factory for Accurate Performance Insights

How many steps does it take to calculate performance within the Mingo Smart Factory dashboard? The answer is one.

Capturing and analyzing manufacturing performance is essential for any business seeking to optimize efficiency, productivity, and quality. With Epicor’s robust capabilities, businesses can calculate and interpret performance metrics, leverage built-in reports, and improve overall equipment effectiveness. By following a step-by-step guide and integrating third-party tools like Mingo Smart Factory, businesses can achieve accurate performance insights, make data-driven decisions, and drive operational excellence in their manufacturing processes.

Ready to elevate your manufacturing performance to the next level? Mingo Smart Factory is here to streamline your operations with a user-friendly, rapidly deployable system that grows with your business. Our productivity platform is designed for the hands-on manufacturing team, eliminating the need for dedicated IT support and offering the flexibility to customize to your unique requirements. Whether you’re looking to connect to existing equipment or need hardware for legacy machines, Mingo has you covered. Don’t wait months to see results—start optimizing your production today. Talk to an Expert and discover how Mingo Smart Factory can transform your manufacturing process.