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98 SMT Magazine • April 2016 operations and suggesting improvements. The key is providing them with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively do their jobs. TeligentEMS' development efforts began with creation of Possible-X, a system that started out as a simple 'what if' tool designed to integrate with the ERP system and quickly assess material availability of specific parts in existing inventory. Over time, this simple tool has grown to a suite of tools accessing a cen - tral repository for information. Today, the com- ponent search tool enables users to also easily access receiving history, prior price quotes on that part, what subassemblies it is used in, in- formation on the top level assembly and al- ternate components. With that information, a buyer or program manager has the tools to better understand their options in addressing production increases, ECO impact and changes in component availability. They can also moni- tor cost trends. As the central repository for information, Possible-X is the access point for all production documentation and links all related informa- tion. It tracks ECOs and deviations and links them to work orders so that as documentation is pulled to build a product, production associ- ates access the correct revision. It also contains a new production introduction (NPI) checklist and work instructions for each product. The checklist aligns with the company's focus on Lean manufacturing since a standardized setup process helps minimize variability. Access to product documentation is limited to associates working on the product and designated mem- bers of management. Possible-X also integrates closely with the ERP system in receiving. The receiving inspec- tion process has been designed to capture the bulk of the information required for both inter- nal and customer requirements. Upon delivery each component is validated to the AVL. Any variance in labeling triggers additional inspec- tion steps. Custom components go through ad- ditional inspection including measurements. Following inspection, a bar code label with pur- chase order receipt information is generated for each package and an ERP transaction is execut- ed. Label data includes key information such as moisture sensitivity level (MSL), RoHS status, etc. Certificates of compliance are also validated at that point and scanned into Possible-X. The system automatically flags parts needed to fill shortages to ensure they are expedited. Kit status is another tool in Possible-X. Kit status runs off work orders. The system also has a feature that enables program management, pur- chasing, production and the stockroom to have visibility into soft and hard shortages in kit sta- tus by work order. A soft shortage is a part that is scheduled to be received prior to the date the kit is scheduled to run. A hard shortage is a part that will not be available on the date the kit was ini- tially scheduled to run. Since the system runs in real-time, the team has immediate notification if an issue such as a returned material authori- zation (RMA) causes an unanticipated shortage. This level of visibility into kit status, optimizes production scheduling, makes it easy to under- stand whether or not material availability will support production schedule changes, and high- lights exactly where expediting is required. Possible-X also includes a metrics menu that takes the visible factory into the 21 st century. Defects per million opportunities (DPMO) is monitored in the SMT area in real time. Moni- tors showing a real-time, color coded graphical interface indicating both DPMO and production status relative to production targets are placed throughout the production floor and also acces- sible to management. DPMO is measured every 30 minutes and the trend for the last 24 hours is displayed. The top-ten identified defects are shown in a Pareto diagram. A test data collec- WorkinG smarTEr ThrouGh a ProPriETarY sYsTEms sTraTEGY Figure 2: The p-Dash system makes it easy for pro- duction associates to open a support ticket an d get immediate response when they need help with an issue in their work area.