Flex²B Production and Planning

Document Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide an overview on the Production and Planning site characteristics of a Flex²B implementation.  

You can skip the general introduction and continue reading on page 7 for Production and Packing related information

Currently Flex²B has a major revision 6. The document can be seen on a central site installation or a decentral installation that synchronises to the central site, as well as 3rd party vendors and connectivity towards ERPs.

Background

Flex²B is a solution for the Fresh Produce industry, including vegetables, fruit, wood, … to provide in depth information for the Cold Chain, Logistics, Quality, Location positioning, … It is proven to be a wide accepted, strategic tool, for more than two decades of loyal customers and site.

As an extend to the local used application, Oryx has made the decision to let Flex²B break out of local implementations and be shared over intranet and internet connections.

To provide an interface to a wide public and a wide integration, Oryx provides through Flex²B a wide range on connectivity and clients to attach and hook in, into Flex²B.

To open its connectivity, Flex²B has 2 major components for the Web and Cloud environments. 

It provide a full set of Web Objects and Methods to automate a wide range of clients and operating systems using miscellaneous techniques. This component can be used by 3rd party clients, such as industrial PDAs, automation lines, B2B sytems…

The Flex²B Cloud/Web edition is designed as one platform that integrates information across applications and business processes.  It navigates through your quality and delivery information, revealing what’s important to know, to manage, to strategize, to decide and to act.

The latest cloud & web version (build in 2013, first operational since 2014 and maintained until now) is built on top of Microsoft IIS using dHtml, javascript and json techniques. 

Positioning

Oryx includes the Web services, background utilities, Windows GUI, Cloud & Web module as well as the integration between Flex²B and ERP systems, Lab environments, Agronomist environments … – as being a part of the Flex²B suite, spreading over 3  Pillars. The ‘Pillars’ is one of the three important legs of the Flex²B suite. 

Technology Representation

High level

Flex²B Web enabled architectures

Visualisation 1: Web architecture

Visualisation 2: Overall 

Visualisation 3 - Protocols:

These can be used to assist you in a Firewall or security solution configuration.

Flex²B Suite in a 
Production or Packing environment

Components

This is a high-level document. It will not approach the very technical needs to make the connection to the individual components.

It is an impression how particular tools can be set up by your company. However, the dynamism of the individual components reflects the giving of the solution name. Flexible to Business. 

It is available to you. As already stated before, consult with the Flex²B Architects of core Business Analysts to assist you during a particular case.

Flex²B G.U.I. / Classic / Windows workstation

• The complete Windows based G.U.I. with MS Office UI/UX for consulting and entering data.
• Windows 8/10 based solution
• Most components are available in the Base Flex²B.

Flex²B Cloud UI/UX

• Very extended browser/tablet interface with Touch aware interface
• Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or any compliant browser or tablet
• Operations modules are available over the Cloud

Flex²B Upload

• Stand-alone background process
• Uploads Order information
• Uploads Delivery information
• Does validation on data consistency

Flex²B Out Replication

• Stand-alone background process
• Generates EDI file to sync data to central Flex²B site (state, history, positioning, operations, quality, EAN pack info, detail info, lab results…)
• Generates EDI file to connect to ERP systems

Flex²B In Replication

• Stand-alone background process
• Import EDI file to sync data from decentral Flex²B site (state, history, positioning, operations, quality, EAN pack info, detail info, lab results…)

Web Services

• Soap 1.1 & soap 1.2
• Json
• Component for PDA clients to connect to (preferred partner for these applications is SDT Informatics in Belgium)
• Component for Automation Line PCs to connect to. (it does not automate the production line, this is software of the vendor.
• Component for site-to-site connectivity (ie Flex²B to Flex²B, FTA to Flex²B, Lab results to Flex²B…)
• Data sync with central site (i.e. Stock Unit information inheritance)
• http / https interface 
• More information in other technical documents 
• Flex²B Cloud interface 
• Flex²B Connectivity Web Services

Flex²B Daemon

• Background process
• Loadout validation (soap connectivity to ERP)
• Central Stock Unit / GS1 Card Printing 
• Claims postings
• Direct delivery
• Production Planning posting 

F2TP

• Background process (Windows Client)
• The FTP tool that does file transfer over FTP or SMB. 
• Tool is fully automated and data driven
• Trailer / header based transfer

Flex²B Eyes

• Monitors uploaded replication files

Flex²B Job Controller

• Background utility
• Driven by user definitions
• Runs reports
• Exports data
• Imports data 
• Ie Used for grower ratings, risk automation, …

Flex²B tailor made modules 'ie F2BvsS4)

• Background utility
• Driven by specific demands for a particular customer
• Load, process & post data 

Visualised (sample)

Possible flow in a Packing or Production site

Some sample flows. This is just to give you an impression on some flows. The process flow will be cut into operations that are data defined in Flex²B for your company, as the result of a study on how to implement Flex²B for you. 

Please note that these flows are typical local business flows. They may vary from customer to customer and have other specs that jump in. Nevertheless, it gives you an insight how Flex²B can be customised and data driven.

Goods Receipt from abroad.

Goods Receipt from local supply  EU.

Delivery of stock units

Production Request

Production of Stock

AND MANY MORE

Some screenshots on running applications.

Screenshots based on version 6.2017.182.xxx. Depending on the Operating system that is running, 

Flex²B Windows G.U.I

F2TP

Flex²B Out Replication

Flex²B Upload Orders and Loadout docs

Web Services Administration

Flex²B Daemon

Information Flows

In this section, we describe a set of information flows. They are available as a sample and are not limited to this list.

Manifest Information Flow

Orders and Deliveries

ERP Connectivity

Lab Results (3rd party software)

Production / Packing plant sample Infrastructure Configs.

The next drawing again is a sample how a heavy production / packing or central site may look. Certain roles can be joined, split or be depreciated, depending on the local requirements.