New integration will offer customers more robust scheduling functionality to improve on-time delivery

ECI Software Solutions, a leader in cloud-based business management solutions, today announced a new strategic relationship with LillyWorks, Inc. to deliver Protected Flow Manufacturing™ (PFM) to its Macola® ERP software users. This new add-on will offer manufacturers a robust scheduling option to improve on-time delivery and better service their own customers.

Macola empowers small and medium-sized manufacturers and distributors to effectively plan, manage and analyze their businesses to reduce costs and achieve higher productivity. As a result of this new collaboration, users will have access to LillyWorks’ PFM software, which seamlessly integrates with Macola to deliver unparalleled scheduling visibility and control. PFM provides real-time, data-driven insights that answer fundamental shop floor questions related to current job status and prioritization, such as:

  1. What job/work order should be worked on right now (shop-wide or in any workcenter)?
  2. Where is the job and how is it progressing?
  3. When will my customer be able to get their order?

The software also uses predictive analytics to forecast when the remaining work on each job will be finished, giving manufacturers the confidence to provide their customers with more accurate delivery times. This functionality will help reduce the number of late jobs, shorten lead times, reveal available capacity and lessen the need for daily production meetings.

“With PFM, we were fully prepared to meet new customer deliveries,” said Val Zanchuk, President of Graphicast, Inc. “Rather than being overwhelmed, we are utilizing systematic priorities to make better decisions in a truly dynamic environment.”

Key features of the PFM software include:

  • Threat-Level Prioritization—Increase shop floor productivity and promote better flow by bringing actionable intelligence directly to those closest to the work and ensuring everyone is always working on the right job next.
  • Work Order At-a-Glance—Instant visibility into the entire WIP status enables users to know exactly where work orders are, which job to work on next and when customers will receive their orders.
  • Shop-Floor to Top-Floor Visibility—Interactive heat map tells users if any work orders appear to be problematic and require immediate attention.

“Introducing PFM’s cloud-based, real-time Production Management suite to ECI Macola’s loyal customer base will enable them to further leverage their investment in Macola,” said Scott Filiault, Vice President of Operations/Strategy at LillyWorks. “As Industry 4.0 and Smart Industry initiatives define the future of manufacturing, we’re pleased to work together with ECI and help users meet the unique manufacturing challenges of today and tomorrow.”

“Visibility into work orders, prioritized workflow and predictive analytics are all part of our mission to deliver efficient production scheduling to our Macola users,” said Corey Ladd, Vice President of Product for ECI’s Manufacturing Division. “We are thrilled to be able to offer this new, robust functionality to our customers so they can operate more efficiently and profitably.”

To learn more about Macola or to request a demo, visit: www.ecisolutions.com/manufacturers-and-job-shops/macola.

About LillyWorks

Since 1960, LillyWorks has developed solutions to help its customers meet the unique manufacturing challenges of today and tomorrow. LillyWorks’ world-class team is focused on one goal: giving manufacturers the visibility and control they demand, to get the freedom they deserve. Their revolutionary production management software, Protected Flow Manufacturing™ (PFM), drastically improves on-time delivery by prioritizing what needs to happen first, not what’s due first. To learn more about LillyWorks and PFM, visit www.www.lillyworks.com or call 603-926-9696.

About ECI

ECI Software Solutions provides industry-specific business software solutions and services, focusing on cloud-based technologies. For 30+ years, ECI has served small to medium-sized manufacturing, wholesale/retail distribution, building and construction, and field service organizations. Privately held, ECI is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, with offices throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, England, the Netherlands, and Australia. For information, email info@ecisolutions.com, visit www.ECISolutions.com or call (800) 959-3367.

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