MES to ERP integration : rapid deployment toolset

Abstract: Production facilities deliver value as subsets of larger corporate entities with a key enabler being systems, inclusive of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Manufacturing Systems. This research focuses on the development of an evaluation toolset for Manufacturing Execution Systems maturity, specifically determining a ‘Business Units’ maturity relative to a fully automated corporate process enablement. The methodology includes hierarchical segregation of the business together with focused, internationally referenced, questions, facilitating system maturity evaluation. The Likert association methodology facilitates data gathering. This research delivers a method and case study on an internationally benchmarked, express evaluation toolset, with capacity to conduct a Business Unit (BU) evaluation in minimum time. Key value adds of the toolset includes system prioritization on a business benefit and cost basis

Digital Start-Up Ecosystems: A Systematic Literature Review and Model Development for South Africa

Digital start-ups play a crucial role in boosting the economies of many countries through technological innovations. Several studies have been conducted assessing digital start-ups or digital entrepreneurship, mainly from the perspective of the Global North. However, gaps exist in the literature regarding digital ecosystems, especially in the context of developing countries (the Global South), such as South Africa. This study fills this gap by exploring the structure as well as highlighting the hindering factors of the start-up ecosystem in South Africa. In addition, the study explores the influential factors of the digital start-up ecosystem and models that can be used to assess upscaling for the growth of new digital start-up ventures. The study conducted a systematic literature review using the PRISMA framework. The Scopus-indexed database was used to source published peer-reviewed papers on digital ecosystems between 2017 and 2023. Key findings of the study pertaining to South Africa’s start-up ecosystem revealed that the country is producing thriving digital start-ups. The current study also identified several challenges that affect the development of digital start-ups in South Africa. Some of the challenges include regulatory barriers, skills shortages, a lack of funding, and a digital infrastructure gap, among others. Furthermore, work is being conducted by ecosystem stakeholders to address these challenges, with a greater collective and cohesive effort needed to effectively address the hindering factors. The study advocates for intervention as well as policy and practitioner implications that could be utilised by ecosystem stakeholders, particularly entrepreneurs in the digital market. The research findings pertain to the South African start-up ecosystem but have greater appeal and relevancy for many developing start-up ecosystems globally, especially in the Global South

Enhancing Enterprise Resource Planning and Manufacturing Execution System efficiency with simulation-based decision support

Abstract: Business units inclusive of large, medium and small-scale entities traditionally conducts activities based on business processes. Globalization has resulted in the gradual introduction of various automation systems at various levels of the business enterprise, specifically focussed on capturing essential business activities across the entity. These systems, inclusive of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Plant systems has been adopted by larger corporates in executing and optimizing business functions. These large multinationals are described as complex entities with complex business structures inclusive of business processes. The quantification of automation, escalations and critical variables of these business processes has not been effectively conducted. A “systems thinking” approach adds the complexity of integrating all enterprise functions but creates a framework for evaluating the limitations and synergies so as to optimize these processes. This research focuses on the development and configuration of a simulation model for modelling enterprise maturity via business processes. This research approach includes hierarchical layout and segregation of these business processes, exploring these enterprise operations adopting business process tools, techniques, and methodologies aligned with a system thinking approach. A simulation framework is configured and tested. The results prove that a simulation model potentially benefits a complex organisation specific to evaluating time taken to conduct business processes. The results indicate that interdependent processes can be modelled together with determining impacts of multiple critical variables in reducing business process time

Reliability project optimization : a South African rail case

Abstract: The delivery of projects in the rail industry is a challenge. Transnet SOC Ltd (The South African national rail entity) is the sole bulk freight logistics rail company in South Africa. Transnet Capital Projects (TCP), a division of Transnet SOC Ltd, acts as a service provider to all the operating divisions of Transnet. TCP projects constantly failed due to what seemed like project integration challenges. The purpose of this research is to determine Transnet’s deficiencies and recommend solutions based on project management best practice in the field of railway engineering. This was achieved through the use of a questionnaire that was designed based on the lessons learnt, via an international best practice review, specific to railway projects. The research found that the major deficiencies lay within various levels within Transnet, specific issues being people and other issues being structural and technological. The research recommends a change in the TCP organizational structure, the recruitment of rail experts, skills development of project managers, the introduction of new railway software and the establishment of an Enterprise Project Management Office as potential international best practice solutions

Agile energy modelling : a business centric approach

Abstract: Energy management is a crucial aspect to global sustainability. Multinational Manufacturing Corporations’ (MMC’s) utilise a large amount of energy, making energy optimisation a priority. The ability to evaluate MMC’s total energy utilisation effectively and efficiently is a challenge. This research focuses on holistically modelling the business energy systems of MMC’s by adopting a business process centric approach. MMC’s conduct business based on global or regional business processes depending on the function, global/regional functional enablement. The agile energy model proposed in this research integrates key knowledge areas of energy assessment, business management, business processes and system engineering, to deliver a comprehensive simulation toolset for energy quantification, evaluation and optimisation

Business process modelling tool selection : a review

Abstract: The interest in business process modelling has increased in the last decade. Numerous business process modelling tools for developing business processes exist. These tools serve a wide range of business functions and applications. There exist limitations in effectively selecting the appropriate business process modelling tool relative to corporate functions and applications. This research explores this specific limitation and serves as a guide to mitigate this specific limitation relative to prioritizing and selecting a business process modelling tool. This investigation explores the limitations in the currently designed business process modelling tool based on local, regional and global modelling of corporate processes. Results prove essential prioritization constituents relative to selecting a more enhanced business process modelling tool for enterprise professionals. The applicability of the proposed prioritization approach is demonstrated

Application of the agile energy model to the procure to pay process

Abstract: Multinational Manufacturing Corporations (MMC’s), which account for a fair percentage of the manufacturing industry encounter challenges with energy quantification and optimisation. Traditional energy models, which have long been used for energy system evaluations have limited application at MMC’s due to model characteristics of high level of expertise, data and time intensive, long time horizons and large spatial detail. The Agile Energy Model utilises business processes for energy evaluation and optimisation. The features of the Agile Energy Model supporting application at MMC’s are generic, reproducible, ease of use, minimum user input data and time requirements and transparency of the evaluation process. It enables the energy quantification of non-traditional activities of finance, HR, ICT and sales and marketing. The methodology of application of the Agile Energy Model is demonstrated with the established procure to pay process

The opportunities and challenges of digitalization for SME's

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME's) are prevalent in the South African Industry and have been globally recognized for their contributions to economic development, job creation, poverty alleviation, and innovation. Although SME's are aware and can benefit significantly from digital systems, the time, skills, and finances required to develop SME-specific systems are prohibitive. This is because the ability to define sensor to enterprise systems demands for SME's is dependent on specific needs. The current solutions that are offered to SME's are stand-alone and not integrated. This research provides insights into the engagement and development of a demand-driven SME ecosystem. The research provides insights into the digital system priorities of some 200 South African SME's. Based on the analysis of the survey conducted, the researchers designed and developed the initial four systems for SME's out of the 10 identified. This paper covers the data gathering, design, and delivery phase of the 4 functions

Constraints driven reverse logistics model for Plastic Solid Waste (PSW)

Abstract: The recovery and recycling of Plastic Solid Waste (PSW) is an important aspect of achieving sustainability. The study reviewed technical constraints (Modeling levers) that influence households’ participation in waste recovery and recycling programs from both developed and developing economies. A questionnaire based on the identified levers is developed and distributed to test the validity and significance of the levers. The results are adopted in the development of a levers’ based reverse logistics (RLs) model for PSW in the Zambian context. The model provides a new and useful engineering approach for the management of PSW in both developed and developing economies influenced by similar levers

Industry 4.0 Technological Advancement in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry in South Africa—Bibliometric Analysis via Natural Language Processing

The food and beverage (FOODBEV) manufacturing industry is a significant contributor to global economic development, but it is also subject to major global competition. Manufacturing technology evolution is rapid and, with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), ever accelerating. Thus, the ability of companies to review and identify appropriate, beneficial technologies and forecast the skills required is a challenge. 4IR technologies, as a collection of tools to assist technological advancement in the manufacturing sector, are essential. The vast and diverse global technology knowledge base, together with the complexities associated with screening in technologies and the lack of appropriate enablement skills, makes technology selection and implementation a challenge. This challenge is premised on the knowledge that there are vast amounts of information available on various research databases and web search engines; however, the extraction of specific and relevant information is time-intensive. Whilst existing techniques such as conventional bibliometric analysis are available, there is a need for dynamic approaches that optimise the ability to acquire the relevant information or knowledge within a short period with minimum effort. This research study adopts smart knowledge management together with artificial intelligence (AI) for knowledge extraction, classification, and adoption. This research defines 18 FOODBEV manufacturing processes and adopts a two-tier Natural Language Processing (NLP) protocol to identify technological substitution for process optimisation and the associated skills required in the FOODBEV manufacturing sector in South Africa