There are key challenges faced by Engineer-to-Order manufacturers when managing complex engineering projects including:

Virtually infinite possible product permutations

Frequently shifting customer specification

Lengthy product design and approval process

Engineering design release process not in synch with production needs

Delivery cycle time too long

Since delivery systems are designed to fit into manufacturing facilities, variations in height, length, location of stations and other attributes were possible down to the inch. The design process was reiterative with lengthy discussions involving architects and plant engineers and last-minute changes were the norm. Multiple internal product design and review processes extended the time required to provide designs to material and production.

ETO manufacturers encourage customers to finalize designs by assuring dedicated resources - Using VISIBILITY Master Production Scheduling ETO manufacturers are able to identify critical "pinch-point" processes and tie them back to the overall job using Rough Cut Capacity Planning functions. Reserving time slots at these critical resources was tied to the finalization of product specifications reducing the tendency to insert "desired but not required" changes late in the job cycle.

The loading of these critical resources allows the sales group to promise more realistic delivery schedules based on assessments of current and future loads in the plant. By taking advantage of the integrated nature of VISIBILITY, along with revamping approaches to product design and information hand-offs, many ETO manufacturers reduce product design time by 40%.

Visibility Corporation (www.visibility.com) is a leading developer and supplier of business software solutions designed for the unique needs of project-based, engineer-to-order and to-order manufacturers. Visibility's Enterprise Application solutions help midsize manufacturers of complex products operate their businesses effectively.

VISIBILITY.net is an integrated ERP solution and more. Offering unparalleled functionality and integrated workflow, this browser-based solution cost effectively delivers the power of .NET-based Web services for use with either a Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle database. Conducting business any place, any time, any where is a reality, deployable with unprecedented flexibility.

Visibility www.visibility.com Jaclyn Aldrich 978-694-8000



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