Invensys Operations Management announced that it has integrated its Avantis.PRO enterprise asset management software with Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP software to facilitate manufacturers’ financial and enterprise planning decisions.
The EAM software gives users access to enterprise-wide data about the operation of their assets, such as maintenance planning and schedules, projected failure rates, and equipment service histories, helping to improve financial and operating controls and facilitate interdepartmental collaboration. By coordinating and automating business processes, the software is said to foster efficiency improvements, increase accuracy, and lower costs.
“EAM systems can provide demonstrable results in a relatively short time frame," wrote Bill Polk, director of research at AMR Research, in a June 2009 research report, “Asset Management Algebra: EAM = ROI.” “In today’s environment, where budgets are tight and freeing up or conserving working capital is paramount, developing and implementing a robust EAM solution can help deliver incremental profit to the bottom line.”
The integrated package can be easily implemented, the companies said, through the use of predefined connections and standards-based integration concepts and frameworks, a benefit to IT, business operations, and plant managers. The scalable, out-of-the-box software can be upgraded as required.
Sudipta Bhattacharya, president and CEO of Invensys Operations Management, said in a statement, “Augmenting Microsoft’s open development and applications environment with our experience in building solutions that address the intricacies of production environments significantly reduces risk, maximizing return not only on software investment, but on all assets.”
Invensys is a Microsoft Gold partner and is working to become “Certified for Dynamics” in the Microsoft CfMD program. The two companies are also pursuing other integration projects, including tying Invensys’ Wonderware MES technology with the Microsoft Dynamics ERP.