ERP Bar

 

ERP-Bar is a laboratory example within the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt to demonstrate different technologies of the IoT.

The automation of an order processing process in the enterprise resource planning system Microsoft Dynamics NAV is realized by the following technologies:
- RFID (Radio-frequency Identification)
- IPS (Indoor-Positioning-System)
- RPA (Robotic Process Automation)

Additionally, several web services & workflows are used. The video below gives an insight into the process.

View in Action

(German language with automatic subtitle)

How does this work?


RFID
Raspberry Pi mit
EM4100 125 KHz-System

Workflow
Node-RED

Software robot
UiPath

Localization
Sewio RTLS

Data integration

ERP
Microsoft Dynamics NAV

Raspberry Pi with RFID

The Raspberry Pi is a low-cost single-board computer. In combination with various sensors, the device is able to network machines and other devices. Many instructions & suggestions for projects with the Raspberry Pi exist on the Internet.

In the ERP bar, the Raspberry Pi is connected to an RFID reader. By placing the transponder, a sales order is created in the ERP system.

Node-RED

Node-RED is a JavaScript-based graphical development environment. Multiple inputs and outputs as well as data transformations are possible via flows. Node-RED is particularly used in the smart home. Numerous tutorials make it possible to realize ideas in a playful way.

In the flows, depending on the transponder used, a message is formed, which is transmitted to the ERP system Microsoft Dynamics NAV. After successful order creation RPA starts.

UiPath Studio

The company UiPath provides software for the development of RPA. These software robots can control inputs and outputs on the graphical user interface. This makes it possible to automate processes.

The software robot schedules the generated sales order into production in the ERP bar. For this purpose, all necessary steps are carried out automatically.

Sewio RTLS

The real-time localization system (RTLS) from Sewio Networks is suitable for continuous position determination of objects. Through this changes in position are recognizable.

The ERP bar has defined different zones (see below). The tags of the RTLS send continuous signals to the anchors, which are mounted on the wall. The change of a zone is detected by the system in near real time.

Lobster_data

Lobster_data is tool for data integration. Through several phases incoming values can be extracted, transformed and loaded.

The change of a zone in Sewio RTLS should result in the order feedback. Via Lobster_data this is possible by processing the phases regularly. A SOAP message at the end finally transmits the data to Dynamics NAV.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV

In the ERP system Microsoft Dynamics NAV nearly all processes of a company can be supported. In addition, web services can be created to automate certain steps.

As a central ERP system, Dynamics NAV supports the business processes of the ERP bar. In this way, for example, orders and order confirmations are recorded here. Furthermore, external software (Node-RED & Lobster_data) can access the data & functions via web services.

Mobirise

Production layout

The order feedback is carried out via different zones. The circles marked in yellow symbolize the anchors. These are attached to the wall.

The change from one zone to the next is detected by the RTLS. Lobster_data then transmits the information to a web service to perform the output journal. Job number, operation and the time spent within a zone are transmitted.

In this way, order confirmation can be fully automated. In addition, analytical data (e.g. duration in the "Mixing" zone) is available, which can be used for optimization.

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