We create transparency in your production and assembly through the analysis of critical resources. With almost 20 years of experience in the development of innovative MES solutions (Manufacturing Execution Systems) we have the know how and the tools for the optimization of your production processes.

From concept to implementation to use we support you in the realization of your MES strategies. Today we provide services for customers in 25 countries on 4 continents. Furthermore, InQu Informatics is also active in associations and working groups such as VDI (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure, Association of German Engineers) in the working group MES. Since the end of 2007 Peter Moers, Managing Director of InQu Informatics, is also a member of the European committee of MESA (Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association).

1 InQu.MES is the Manufacturing Execution System by InQu Informatics GmbH. It provides the tools for the firm control of all production, quality and logistics processes within the organization and is the link between company management and production.

InQu.MES is a manufacturing management system consisting of 3 modules, integrating the functional blocks resulting from the guideline VDI 5600 into one unit.

1.1 fastchain.APS is a modular system for detailed planning and control. Based on multi-resources planning it performs an automated capacity balance between order inventory and availability of resources. The system reacts to current events within the production process regarding personnel, material, operating resources, order progress and other things and calculates periodically (automatically) new suggestions (forecasts) for the optimal allocation of limited resources.

1.2 fastflow.MIS is the link between planning level and process execution. It transmits the planning specifications in real-time to the production process and obtains from there current information regarding production control and planning.

The collection and visualization of all relevant process data (process conditions, order progress, etc.) guarantees a high transparency of the entire production process (monitoring).

Extensive options for analysis and assessment (metrics reporting) characterize the production progress.

1.3 fastcheck.CAQ supports all processes of practical quality management on the basis of tried and tested standards and a modular and configurable system concept. To this effect the challenges of increasing globalization as well as the shift of quality assurance functions into the product development process already are particularly taken into consideration.

2 InQu Services

2.1 Profitability analyses

Before selecting and implementing an IT solution there is a growing requirement to analyze the economic effects of these activities. Furthermore, the risks of such activities, which usually require a high investment volume and long-term commitment, need to be assessed and evaluated. In the course of a ROI and break even analysis we develop a decision proposal together with our customer.

2.2 Consulting and application support

The customer with their individual requirements is always at the center of our consulting. Standardizing with a high degree of parameterization and a modular design of our MES suite allow on the one hand to take these individual customer requirements into account and on the other hand a very fast introduction and utilization of the system. We incorporate the experience we gain from our projects directly into project design and consulting. This allows us to provide you with professional advice also in the areas of facility planning and logistics.

Our experienced consulting team supports our customers in:

• Development of suggestions and concepts for realization
• Generation of technical and functional specifications
• Business process modeling
• Definition of customer-specific adjustments
• Introduction support

2.3 Project management

Only professional introduction and project monitoring ensures the lasting success of our solutions. With our tried and tested project management techniques, methods and tools we support our customers in project planning and project execution. Our service portfolio also includes acceptance of projects in the capacity of prime contractor.

2.4 Software development

Our standard products fastchain.APS, fastcheck.CAQ and fastflow.MIS are continuously developed further in form of upgrades and releases. However, individual requirements cannot always be realized with a standard software. In this respect we also develop individual solutions for customers and version independent additions that are compatible with our standard products.

2.5 Training

Acceptance, motivation and qualification of the employees are important success factors for system implementation. Comprehensive user training is a part of our implementation strategy. Our training is tailored individually to the group and can either be performed in our classrooms or on the premises of our customers.

2.6 Support / Hotline

The actual quality of a software supplier does not only depend on their systems solution but also on their support service. In order to meet the expectations of the customer regarding immediate help in case of problems during day-to-day operation service needs to be efficiently organized. Our account managers in first and second level support assist our customers with technical and application-related questions. Equipment for remote diagnosis and maintenance guarantees short response times.

Grundfos Pumpenfabrik GmbH

Grundfos Pumpenfabrik decides on web-based software solution for collection and analysis of machine or operating data (MDE / BDE). When Poul Due Jensen founded the "Bjerringbro Pressestøberi og Maskinfabrik" in 1945 he had no idea that this would be the cornerstone of a worldwide success project. The first order for the Danish engineer was the construction of an automatic irrigation pump for a customer from his direct neighborhood. Thus, the issue of OEE ('Overall Equipment Effectiveness') was hardly significant at that time because it was quite easy to keep track of the few processes of the small enterprise. However, the business grew quickly and conquered the global market.

Kögel Fahrzeugwerke GmbH

Fast response to customer claims and spare part orders are a must for vehicle manufacturers in terms of customer orientation. For many years already Koegel Fahzeugwerke integrates all quality-related processes. Now, using the fastcheck.CAQ Service Portal by InQu Informatics, they succeeded in taking a step towards a new dimension: customer friendly and highly automated maintenance and complaint management via internet.

Montblanc

Until today manufacturers of luxury writing utensils, writing accessories, leather goods, jewelry and watches hand-craft to a high degree. Montblanc too wants to prove high craftsmanship with every product. In order to meet this high standard and to manage the quality-assuring processes the company relies on the CAQ system fastcheck.CAQ by InQu Informatics. This way it was possible to reduce rejects in injection molding by a factor of five.

Cinram CD/DVD

With the core fastchain.APS InQu Informatics has developed a state-of-the-art production management system which is tailored specifically to the needs of CD and DVD production. Because fastchain.APS helps the users to effectively optimize production processes. CINRAM, previously Warner Music Manufacturing Europe, is the best example for that.

Michael Huber Muenchen

Sensitive capacity planning is a predominant consideration for the printing ink manufacturer Michael Huber Muenchen (MHM). Once the processing of an order has been started it is usually not that easy to just interrupt it. A deciding factor for maintaining readiness to deliver, which is measured in hours for a large part of MHM's production, is holding free capacities available according to schedule for the current day. Their volume is determined through empirical values and must be adjustable to a changed request situation. The complex and precise capacity planning required to this effect is realized with fastchain.APS, the InQu.MES module for detailed planning and control.

Galvanoform

The origins of the Airbus aircraft nose or of parts of the interior trim of the new Golf V are in Lahr in Germany's Baden region. Here the GALVANOFORM Gesellschaft für Galvanoplastik mbH is based, a tool manufacturer for, among other things, the automotive and aircraft industries. For more transparency in the production process as well as a more efficient planning of schedules and resources the company relies on an integrated complete solution. It consists of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) and an operating data collection (BDE) system. The system is controlled and brought to life by the production management system fastchain.APS by InQu Informatics. The goal is to increase productivity and to significantly optimize throughput times in the medium term.