ProductVision FM - Paint, Ink, Coatings and Cosmetics
ProductVision's Formula Management (FM) Module is the foremost client/server, Windows-based product development software available for process manufacturing companies. ProductVision FM dramatically reduces R&D time necessary for new product development by providing the tools to take a product from inception through final manufacturing. Laboratory calculations, specifications, and approval workflow are just of a few features of the system. For a single formulator or for thousands, FM offers the most powerful and versatile formula development, costing, and laboratory analysis tools in a client/server environment.
Manages the Entire Product "Life-Cycle"
ProductVision FM is a rapid product development tool that manages all aspects of creation of a product from initial concept through retirement. Available workflow features automate the formula approval process. Approved formulas and raw materials may be "locked" to prevent accidental changes. All formula revisions are automatically maintained with full change tracking. Historical formulas may be archived to separate them from your production formulas.
Increases Formulator Productivity
FM greatly reduces the effort required in creating new products and enhancing existing formulas. New raw materials and formulas may be copied entirely from existing items. Or you may create new items by "dragging" parts of the existing item with your mouse to the new raw material or formula. A flexible formula editor allows freeform entry of an unlimited number of lines, including unlimited levels of intermediates, to handle even the most complex products. Instruction text may be inserted anywhere to enhance readability.
Multi-level "where-used" and global component replacement features allow rapid and accurate substitution of obsolete ingredients. And FM automatically performs all property and cost calculations quickly and accurately. Formulators can focus on what's important -- creating and enhancing products for quicker release to the marketplace.
Developed Exclusively for Process Manufacturers
FM was designed to meet the special needs of process manufacturers. It efficiently manages input of all raw material information required for formulation. FM includes flexible formula entry and editing, detailed product cost analysis, plus physical and chemical properties for raw materials and formulas. Features include formula re-bulking, user-definable units of measure, and automatic conversions between weight and volume.
Designed for Immediate Productivity If you are comfortable using other Windows™ applications, you are ready to start producing formulas in FM. Common Windows features such as Windows Explorer, "drag-and-drop," and right mouse button shortcut menus are used to increase productivity and reduce the learning curve. Context sensitive help and on-line documentation are provided throughout for timely, one-touch assistance. The on-line help even incorporates "live" video clips to provide detailed demonstrations of system features. Streamlines New Product DevelopmentWith FM's "What-If" Analysis, you can quickly prototype new products. You may set a target property or cost value for a formula, "float" one or more components, and have the system arrive at the correct composition to meet the target. Alternately, a formula's composition can be directly edited and FM will recalculate and display the new formula properties.
An unlimited number of alternate formulas can be created and viewed on-screen. Selected property values can be graphed for convenient visual analysis. Experimental formulas developed using "What-If" can be saved to the permanent formula file for future use.
Improves Customer Response TimeFM's powerful query tool allows you to quickly locate existing products that match or approximate specific customer requests, thus allowing you to provide better service. Internally, queries save time and money by rapidly locating resources that can be substituted for others, formulas that can accept re-worked materials, or items that meet any user-selected combination of property, cost, or component criteria.
Provides Detailed Product Costs ProductVision FM helps you get a true picture of your formula costs and price products for maximum long-run profitability. With line-by-line as well as overall formula losses, formulators can clearly define product costs. FM's cost simulation feature helps you quickly analyze the effects of anticipated cost changes by allowing you to make temporary changes to formula compositions or costs. Enhances Flexibility and User ControlThroughout ProductVision FM, you will find extensive user-defined features for maximum flexibility and user control. From notes, raw material and formula properties to infinite units of measure, you may add any desired information to meet individual requirements. Multiple descriptions may be entered for items to allow entry of location or language specific information.
Extensive Security ControlsA combination of password protection and multi-level user access rights ensures complete control over access to FM functions. Access to the formula database is strictly controlled through a two-pass login procedure that prevents users from accessing the formulas outside of ProductVision FM. Individual formulas may be secured by assigning security "types" which prevent unauthorized users from viewing or editing them. Approved formulas and raw materials may be "locked" to prohibit further changes.
Links to Other World-Class SoftwareFM raw material and formula information may be shared with most popular Manufacturing Resource Planning, financial, and plant and lab automation software packages. This eliminates duplicate data entry, reduces time to market, and improves information accuracy.
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