Access to Data

The new tracking system allows Bayer to address its original concerns as well as gain flexibility. Managers can now build their own reports, increasing the effectiveness of they data collection process. "VisualFLOW is able to decipher the data stream generated by the custom program in the Intermec devices at download time. It then validates the data and populates the MTC," says David Gusick, EnvisionIT Software’s CEO. "All this was done without any code by simply configuring VisualFLOW." This proved to be a key step in the overall implementation process of the MTC." Client/ server development.

To decrease the development time of the project, rapid prototyping was used to conceptualize and generate the Desktop PC Client. This approach provided immediate feedback from the end users to the designers regarding the needs of the project. Object-oriented design and analysis techniques were used to capture the data model and produce the required relational database tables and references.

Manufacturing Applications eXperts (MAX) of Millis, MA developed the client-side software. Ed Withee, project consultant with MAX says, "The architectural approach of the MTC system offers Bayer flexibility to adapt to changes. Expansions of the new system will be straight forward with no impact on existing functionality. Bar code scanners, server operating system or PC Client application can be changed with minimum effort." Each element of the MTC currently plays a major role in the integration.