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Month: January 2021

Komplexní podpora výroby v systému SAP S/4HANA

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Přemýšlíte o novém podnikovém informačním systému, který by komplexně podporoval zpracování zakázky od konstrukce přes technickou přípravu výroby až po plánování? Přemýšlíte, jak zdigitalizovat a integrovat všechny klíčové činnosti v předvýrobních etapách?

SAP S/4HANA je komplexní podnikový informační systém, který pokrývá všechny procesy v předvýrobních etapách. Ve videu vám představíme tři nové moduly, které přináší rozšířené funkce do procesu vývoje a výroby produktu.

  • ECTR (Engineering Control Center) pro vývoj výrobku
  • PEO (Extended Production Engineering and Operations) pro technickou přípravu výroby (PEO Engineering) a řízení výroby (PEO Operations)
  • PP/DS (Production Planning and Detailed Scheduling) pro plánování výroby do omezených kapacit

Výše zmíněné moduly jsou určené především pro výrobní strojírenské firmy se zakázkovou a malosériovou výrobou, které mají konstrukční oddělení vyvíjející své vlastní výrobky.

What to Watch: Top Trends Influencing the Digital Future in 2021

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Predictions you can use – that’s our goal. We’re not talking about flying cars or implantable mobile phones, but realistic trends we see happening as digital business initiatives accelerate at an unprecedented pace.

Explore our predictions to learn how: 

  • ‘Everything from Home’ will drive data governance and privacy
  • A technology talent war will be upon us
  • Hybrid cloud and security will be center stage
  • Having a plan for hyperautomation will set you apart

The pandemic has taught us many lessons from a business and technological perspective, including the need for accelerated change. While reactive mode was the theme of 2020, organizations that will have the most success in 2021 are those that will drive digital disruption.

Learn how you can stay ahead by having a clear vision of what’s to come.

Complete the form to download your copy of our digital trends eBook! 

Avoiding Common Barriers on Your Digital Acceleration Journey

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In a recent article for Forbes India, Ness’ CEO, Ranjit Tinaikar, discusses how the global pandemic has affected digital acceleration from how customers engage with businesses to supply chain disruptions. As this pace rapidly accelerates, enterprises will need to recognize the internal barriers and address them head-on to achieve success.

Key Highlights and Takeaways:

Annual Budgeting Cycles

Multi-year commitments and changing priorities can prevent businesses from staying the course. A truly digital transformation journey starts with the customer experience and emphasizes the linkage of customer value creation. Multi-year investments and incremental returns throughout the transformation journey are not mutually exclusive. If you are embarking on a truly digital acceleration journey, making large multi-year commitments tied to value creation at every stage is not only possible but necessary.

Cultural Changes in the Business Ecosystem

Building new digital ecosystems that operate faster and cheaper are fundamental to digital acceleration. This can result in a cultural change that is hard to carry out. Digital transformation will inevitably impact traditional boundaries and replace them with new ones that require a massive change in people, processes, and systems.

Risks of Changing Customer-facing Platforms

Digital acceleration programs tend to start with customer-facing processes and services, amplifying the challenge of transformation as it exposes you to a competitive threat. While the potential for competitive differentiation is high, there is still a risk that this new product introduction may trigger the customer to “test the market” for alternative providers. These commercial risks often justify the large-scale effort necessary to pull off digital transformations.

Transitioning from Legacy to Digital Engineering Skills and Processes

Buzz words like “agile methods” and a collection of technical skills can’t replace the knowledge from a team trained in actual development environments and cultures, which are quite different from the legacy IT departments that most organizations have. Digital enterprises will need to look to partners who excel at design thinking, rapid product innovation, and deep product engineering methods and tools.

To read the full article, click here.

Ness Welcomes Berthold Puchta as Global Industry Lead, Manufacturing & Transportation

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January 21, 2021 – Ness, a global provider of digital transformation solutions, has appointed Berthold Puchta as global industry lead, manufacturing & transportation. In this role, Berthold Puchta will drive strategy and growth for Ness’ various engagements in the manufacturing and transportation segment.

“Ness’ end-to-end expertise creating strategic software products and solutions and experience leading organizations through digital transformation and pushing international expansion is well suited to the current demands of the manufacturing and transportation industries,” said Berthold Puchta. “I look forward to working with their world-class cloud services, AI and data analytics teams to enable customers to achieve their business goals by driving product innovation, enhancing production and extending supply chains.”

Berthold Puchta joins Ness with more than 25 years of experience across information and communications technology, engineering and operations, driving excellent service for both customers and suppliers. He most recently served as vice president and global industry lead for the transportation sector at QuEST Global Engineering, and as executive vice president of the global automotive division of ESG Electronic System and Logistics Group. In these roles he spearheaded their global automotive business in Europe, the United States and China, and built the companies’ strategic vision in connected car and automated driving segment. Previously, he has held executive and senior leadership positions with leading industry and technology companies across North America, Asia, and Europe, including Porsche, Daimler, HP, T-Systems and CSC. Berthold Puchta is a graduate in aeronautical engineering from the University of Stuttgart, and an alumnus of INSEAD.

“We see tremendous opportunity to provide digital services and solutions to manufacturers and transportation companies. Berthold will play an instrumental role in growing our business globally to better serve our customers that are creating new products and services around digital platforms,” said Pete Rogers, EVP & General Manager Western Europe Business Unit at Ness. “His experience in serving industrial OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers across the globe will help us to continue to build comprehensive and high value-add solutions and services.”

Berthold Puchta will be based out of Munich, Germany. Ness has innovation centers and delivery teams throughout Europe in regions known for their engineering talent and industrial expertise, including eight offices across Germany, Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia.

About Ness Digital Engineering

Ness is a digital solutions company with product engineering in our DNA backed by a global collective of software engineers, data experts, user experience designers and innovators. Combining core competence in engineering with the latest in digital technology, we build customer-facing platforms and software products that help businesses thrive in the digital economy. As your tech partner, we help engineer your company’s future with cloud and data. For more information, visit ness.com.

Ness Named Finalist by Media Excellence Awards

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Ness, a global provider of digital transformation solutions, is honored to be recognized by the Media Excellence Awards as a finalist in the Excellence in Health, Med & Biotech category for our work developing an applied artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) platform for a medical equipment manufacturing company that specializes in clinical oncology.

Better Support Patient Needs by Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Ness built a platform that provides AI representation of a patient’s journey built on a foundation of Deep Learning models. The capabilities of this platform provide better support for patient needs by providing image analysis models for the entire human body and insights for patient treatment. With this platform, the customer is able to use AI to automate some of the processes that go into diagnosing cancer and predicting outcomes based on radiology imaging.

Improved Collaboration with Partners and Vendors

With a true AI platform, Ness’ customer is able to better collaborate with their partners and third-party vendors and host its models as part of a library allowing reuse and training, enabling evidence-based oncology. It also allows for predictive maintenance of valuable radiology equipment, reducing the cost of ownership for these valuable machines.

Fast-Tracked Life-Saving Procedures

Prior to development, no off the shelf product existed to address these needs, so Ness built AI at scale for them. As a result of the work, where it used to take up to 5 hours to manually contour a CT image using contouring software with an error rate of 7% on organ scans, Ness’ AI platform can contour the image in 30 seconds.

To learn more about how Ness is innovating in this important medical area, click here.

Ness Connection: Meet Carla Deisenroth

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Meet Carla Deisenroth, Global Head of Marketing at Ness. Carla works closely with leadership to strengthen Ness’ go-to-market strategy and elevate the brand globally. Her innovative ideas and strategies help enhance Ness’ position as a leader in digital engineering.

Q: What is your role at Ness and what does that include?

A: As Global Head of Marketing I am responsible for leading all areas of Ness’ marketing function. This includes our global branding, thought leadership, lead generation, and digital marketing efforts. I combine cutting-edge digital and traditional tactics to create innovative marketing initiatives, bringing Ness’ story to life.

Q: Tell us about your office and what you keep on your desk?

A: I find that surrounding my workspace with fun/silly memories helps bring positive energy to my work, which is why my desk contains several knickknacks that I’ve acquired from various team members over the years.

Carla-Desk

Q: How do you take your coffee?

A: I try not to drink too much coffee but when I do, I prefer it strong with almond milk and collagen powder, and always in a themed mug. My favorite brand of coffee is called Death Wish, if that’s an indication just how strong I like it.

Carla-Mugs

Q: How did you get started in the industry?

A: I’ve always had a passion for technology and marketing, which is where I’ve spent my entire career. In the early stages of my career, I held numerous positions in the tech startup scene, working with portfolio companies at varying stages under the umbrella of a local venture capital fund. In these roles, I gained invaluable experience with establishing brand identities and developing marketing strategies while working amidst the chaos that’s ever-present in the startup world. After spending several years in that space, I parlayed my experience into roles with larger, more established organizations, leveraging my entrepreneurial roots to modernize their marketing efforts.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Ness?

A: I love that I have the ability to innovate and affect positive change. Working at Ness in some ways takes me back to fond memories of my startup days. While it’s a large organization the entrepreneurial spirit is not lost, risk-taking is encouraged and ideas are shared across all levels of the organization.

Q: What energizes you about your career?

A: Marketing is special because we’re the ones that bring brands to life – we learn from the customers to create the stories that connect them to organizations. Each and every day I’m tasked with blending creativity and data-driven decisions, a truly unique dynamic that satisfies both sides of my brain. I know it’s a cliché but no two days are the same and having the ability to regularly learn new things and challenge myself is something I truly cherish.

Q: What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever eaten?

A: It doesn’t seem unusual to me as I am Lebanese, but one of my favorite dishes is Kibbeh Nayeh. This dish is made from fresh raw lamb or beef combined with bulgur, pureed onion, and a blend of spices. It is typically eaten with pita bread, raw onion slices, green onion and/or fresh mint – a ‘build your own bite’ type of meal creating a blend of flavors perfect for you. For any skeptics out there, it’s rumored that chasing a bite with a sip of Arak kills any potential bacteria from the raw meat.Carla - Food

Q: What’s the one word you would use to describe Ness and why?

A: Passionate – we’re passionate in everything we do from servicing our customers, to innovation and idea-sharing, to celebrating our accomplishments. Passion is what keeps us innovating, pushes us to the limits, and makes us leaders in this space.

Learn how you can become a part of #LifeAtNess by visiting our careers page.

Od modelu k výrobku v systému SAP S/4HANA

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Nové moduly v SAP S/4HANA

SAP S/4HANA je komplexní systém pokrývající všechny procesy, které probíhají ve výrobní firmě. V tomto článku vám představíme 3 nové moduly, které přináší rozšířené funkce do procesu vývoje a výroby produktu.

  • ECTR (Engineering Control Center) pro vývoj výrobku
  • PEO (Extended Production Engineering and Operations) pro technickou přípravu výroby (PEO Engineering) a řízení výroby (PEO Operations)
  • PP/DS (Production Planning and Detailed Scheduling) pro plánování výroby do omezených kapacit

Níže popisované propojení modulů ECTR, PEO a PP/DS je určené především pro výrobní strojírenské firmy se zakázkovou a malosériovou výrobou, které mají konstrukční oddělení vyvíjející své vlastní výrobky.

Popis procesu

Při vývoji nového výrobku konstruktér spustí SAP (modul ECTR). Ve stromové struktuře adresářů si založí nový nebo otevře již existující adresář a v něm vytvoří nový dokumentový informační záznam pro nový model. Přímo z ECTR kliknutím na volbu „Otevřít originál pro editaci“ se otevře konstrukční program, např. SOLIDWORKS, ve kterém konstruktér nový model vytvoří. Při jeho uložení se model ukládá do SAPu.

V ECTR konstruktér u nových výrobků pomocí volby „Vytvořit materiál“ vygeneruje nové karty materiálu a pomocí pracovního okna „Sestavy“ vygeneruje verzovaný konstrukční kusovník, který lze zobrazit v pracovním okně „Kusovník“. Materiály i konstrukční kusovníky se vytvářejí a ukládají přímo v SAPu.

Technolog v modulu PEO Engineering pomocí ikony „Kopírovat kusovník“ zkopíruje verzovaný konstrukční kusovník do verzovaného výrobního kusovníku. Pokud je to třeba, tak verzovaný výrobní kusovník před uvolněním do výroby upraví, např. doplní lepidla, svařovací dráty nebo obalové materiály.

Nyní technolog pro nový produkt vytvoří verzovaný pracovní postup. Pro urychlení práce může kopírovat celý pracovní postup nebo části pracovních postupů z podobných výrobků. Pokud pracovní postup vytváří postupně více specializovaných technologů, tak lze rozpracovaný postup předávat mezi technology pomocí workflow. Do verzovaného pracovního postupu může technolog vložit podrobné pracovní instrukce, schémata, zadávat atributy pro kontrolní měření, požadavky na kvalifikaci dělníka a připojovat pomocné výrobní prostředky a dokumenty. Technolog k postupu připojí konkrétní verzi výrobního kusovníku a jednotlivé komponenty kusovníku přiřadí konkrétním činnostem v postupu.

Po dokončení verzovaného pracovního postupu technolog tuto verzi uvolní pro výrobu. Automaticky se zobrazí okno s dotazem, zda se má vytvořit výrobní verze pro danou kombinaci verzovaného výrobního kusovníku a verzovaného pracovního postupu. Technolog doplní název výrobní verze a uloží ji. U výrobní verze může technolog nebo plánovač výroby upravovat časovou platnost.

MRP systém na základě potřeb (např. z prodejní zakázky) a po kontrole stavu skladu a existujících výrobních zakázek automaticky vygeneruje potřebnou plánovanou výrobní zakázku pro tento nový výrobek.

Standardní plánování v modulu PP plánuje do neomezených kapacit. Nový modul PP/DS plánuje již do omezených kapacit a vyhlazuje plán pomocí heuristik nastavených dle potřeb zákazníka. Celý proces probíhá přímo v jádru S/4HANA, kde jsou uloženy všechny údaje o materiálech, kusovnících, postupech, výrobních verzích, kapacitách pracovišť, stavu skladu, dodacích dobách… Díky tomuto konceptu přeplánování výroby trvá jen několik minut. Plánovací běh může být spouštěn automaticky v požadovaných intervalech. Plánovač může plánovací běh navíc spustit kdykoliv ručně.

Poté co výrobní plánovač konvertuje plánované zakázky na výrobní zakázky a uvolní je do výroby, vedoucí výroby může v modulu PEO Operations přiřadit rozplánované činnosti z výrobní zakázky konkrétním dělníkům pracujícím na pracovišti uvedeném v pracovním postupu.

Dělníci dostávají přidělenou práci elektronicky přes PC, notebook, tablet nebo mobil a tam také zaznamenávají svoji činnost.

Dělník si na začátku směny zobrazí svoji frontu práce, kde vidí termíny a priority přidělených činností z výrobních zakázek. Může si zobrazit vše, co je uvedené v pracovním postupu včetně otevření příloh. Dělník zaznamená vyrobené výrobky i zmetky přímo do SAPu a v případě problému pozastaví výrobní zakázku s uvedením důvodu.

Grafické zobrazení aktuálního stavu výrobních zakázek upozorňuje vedoucího směny na problémové stavy jako je pozastavení výrobní zakázky, zpoždění, problémy se vstupním materiálem, množstvím nebo jakostí, aby nastalou situaci mohl ihned řešit.

Verzování kusovníků a postupů zamezuje zpětným změnám v již uvolněných verzích. Pokud je třeba provést změnu (doplnění komponenty do kusovníku, změna pracoviště v postupu…), tak technolog pomocí ikony „Vytvořit novou verzi“ zkopíruje předchozí verzi, provede opravy a novou verzi uloží a uvolní do výroby. Opravený kusovník nebo postup lze připojit ke změnovému záznamu, což umožní v grafické stromové struktuře zobrazit, které následující objekty (pořadí: kusovníky-postupy-výrobní zakázky) jsou ovlivněné a je třeba je zkontrolovat a opravit.

Jednotlivé části blíže popíšeme v následujících příspěvcích.

 

Ivona Berková
Experinced SAP Consultant

 

Rádi zodpovíme vaše dotazy, neváhejte nás kontaktovat.

Ivo Procházka, Sales Manager
ivo.prochazka@ness.com, +420 774 655 079

Ivona Berková, Consultant
ivona.berkova@ness.com, +420 702 268 092

Big Data Industry Predictions for 2021

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Learn more about big data industry predictions for 2021.

While 2020 was an interesting year for us all, the technology industry saw many advances. Within the next year, we can plan to see big changes in data, how it is processed, stored, and handled. In a recent collaboration with insideBIGDATA, Scott Schlesinger, Global Data, Analytics Practice Leader, gave his insights as to what we have to look forward to in 2021.

Augmented Analytics and Self-Service

Augmented analytics and self-service will become more widely in demand given the distributed workforce and hunger for information. In response, traditional analytics will become increasingly disrupted by artificial intelligence (AI). The increase in a distributed workforce is going to create a greater demand for augmented analytics where the individual user is guided through the process of creating queries to get immediate answers to their data questions.

Convergence of Analytics and AI

We are seeing a converge of analytics and AI in two areas – at the infrastructure level and at the analyst level. People are beginning to realize that they have different data pipelines that are providing data for an analytics engine and they are building a different stack for machine learning (ML). Instead of two completely separate stacks, we see a convergence of these into an infrastructure that is easier to maintain while ensuring that the same data is being used to supply both engines. A second convergence will happen regarding a ‘hunger’ for information and bridging a gap to answer questions using data. Traditional analytics will start to get more disrupted by AI. Platforms (such as Tableau, Power BI, etc.) will start to get displaced by bots and virtual assistants that will be conversational in nature. We see this as a push to speed through a pull for self-service.

To learn more about what 2021 has in store for the data industry, read the full predictions article here.

TecHRseries Interview with Narayanan Nair

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In a recent interview with TechHR Series, Chief People Officer Narayanan Nair dives into the company’s employee culture and work practices while sharing a few tips for HR leaders to follow in 2021.

Interview Highlights: 

How HR Practices Have Evolved

The pace of change overall in our organizations, economies, and our own lives has changed drastically over the last few years and it continues to accelerate every year, every week, and almost every day. This past year the myth that productivity is only ensured by having people physically present in the office was quickly debunked. Working from home has enabled employees to maintain their productivity, if not increase it, all while keeping them and their families healthy.

Top Engagement and Team Culture Initiatives

Seize the opportunity to host virtual events, this will allow you to open up to a larger audience. Also by encouraging employees to invite their families to participate in events and programs increases engagement and improves the company culture. Virtual health and wellness programs across the company are becoming more popular as well. One of our most successful initiatives is a forum that employees can participate in to solve real-time challenges for clients across the company, not just those accounts they might be placed on.

Bridging the HR Gap

There is a fine line between being entrepreneurial and process-driven that organizations need to walk as they grow. It is important to have core processes consistent across the company under a corporate wrapper, while also simultaneously empowering the teams at the unit level to implement processes as they see fit. It’s important for us to celebrate the unique capabilities that each region brings to Ness.

Tips for HR Leaders

To keep up with the fast-paced tech industry, HR professionals need to understand their business and the nature of it. What services and value does it provide customers? It is also important to understand the customer’s business, to be able to speak the same language as them and make their priorities your priorities in order to continuously deliver value. This can be accomplished through organizations and HR professionals sustaining a learning culture to deliver value for both their employees and clients.

Looking ahead to 2021

HR executives should focus on the culture they’ve built and on empowering their employees that are hungry and passionate to see change, do more, learn more, and contribute more. Every HR professional should strive to build a company culture where people are uncomfortable with the status quo and want to challenge it.

Click here to read the full interview.

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