ERP software such as S/4HANA is usually integrated with many other solutions and technologies that companies use. The same goes for Manufacturing Execution systems (MES). Since MES is an intermediate step between ERP and process control system, SAP S/4HANA is also connected to the process control systems.
PCo, the bridge between equipment and MES
SAP Plant Connectivity (SAP PCo) is the bridge between equipment and MES. SAP PCo enables the exchange of data between process control systems, plant Historian systems, SPC systems, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices, management devices, TCP Sockets, etc. PCo queries data from source systems using a wide range of supported protocols. This data is sent by PCo to the configured destination system, such as
- SAP Manufacturing Integration & Intelligence (SAP MII)
- SAP Manufacturing Execution (SAP ME)
- SAP S/4HANA
- SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM))
The strength of SAP Plant Connectivity is the extensive set of connection types that occur on the production floor and the bi-directional exchange of data between the Shop Floor and the Top Floor.
Benefits
- PCo can be configured quickly. No customization is required to connect source systems to the Shop Floor
- PCo can communicate with a wide range of workplace software systems
- PCo system can be configured for one or more locations
- Standardized and cross-site connectivity in the workplace
A digital bridge between the Top Floor and Shop Floor at Den Braven
“With one look at the screen, we know exactly what is happening in the five interfaces, which orders have gone through and whether they have successfully arrived at the next step in the process. The IT and planning departments no longer have to check the entire log file.”
