ERP Linking and Interface 

JobLink/SQL is an optional JobTime enhancement module that interfaces JobTime finite  scheduling system to a standard Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) or even a homegrown host/ERP system.  Data can be refreshed as often and as frequently as re-scheduling is desired, which typically ranges from hourly to daily.  

JobLink/SQL consists of a companion Import Database, which contains all needed tables where the user can deposit records from their host ERP system.  JobLink/SQL includes an import stored procedure, which automatically validates all records downloaded, to meet the data consistency rules of JobTime.  Once validated, the data is moved into JobTime's official tables automatically. For example, if an operation refers to a work center, this work center also needs to exist.  If a job refers to a part number, this part number needs to exist.  Each operation must have time standards defined as either setup and/or process rate. The most typical import data includes work orders, operation steps, BOM assembly links between work orders.  Other optional data tables may include operation alternate route steps, and multiple resources required per operation.   The client ERP is expected to supply each operation's current completion status, as units complete, units to-go, hours spent, hours to go, or simply as operation percent complete.

JobLink/SQL automatically imports order information, extracted from your host/ERP system, into JobTime’s database.  JobLink/SQL checks for data consistency errors, and optionally flags or repairs detected data problems such as empty fields, blank records, duplicate records, incomplete data fields, etc.  

JobLink/SQL assures that the host/ERP data will be imported consistent with JobTime’s data requirements, including referential integrity.  This capability enables JobTime finite scheduling to execute seamlessly.  

JobLink/SQL can also be easily customized to populate scheduling constraints, where the host ERP system may not contain this data.  By using standard SQL queries, the extraction of raw data from the host is generally a minimal effort.  Most of the work involves client's work to  specify ERP data sources, plus the "auto-population" for JobTime's special scheduling constraint modeling fields.  Typically these fields include setup-matching constraints, multiple resource constraints, and alternate resource constraints. 

Nevertheless, our JobLink/SQL technology makes it possible to interface with most ERP systems in a matter of hours to days, not months, depending on the degree of customization you feel is required in your application. Your situation will depend on your unique set of conditions.  The typical range of effort for a customized JobLink/SQL interface project can range anywhere from 5 to 15 days.  The factors explaining this variation in level of effort will include the complexity of your modeling constraints, the number of tables involved, absence of equivalent scheduling feature fields in your ERP, but mostly, upon the full availability of your own in-house IT and production schedulers. 

JobLink/SQL is not a substitute for a real-time on-line MES or Shop Floor Execution System.  However, JobTime also offers a companion service to customize a basic batch shop-floor reporting module ("JobTrak"), for the purpose of keeping task percent complete status accurate and up to date for clients who do not have MES or any shop-floor data collection system.  The JobTime built-in tracking is also ideal for companies that want to simply "cut their teeth" in the area of order progress and shop-tracking.  

But JobTime can enhance both the immediate horizon focus of a typical MES system and the longer range focus of the ERP system, by providing critically important precision capacity scheduling for both  short and long range perspectives.  

JobTime's most frequent use is a short interval (3 to 30 day) planning tool. However, JobTime can also support 3 to 18 month planning horizons.  For either purpose, our  JobLink/SQL interface can link both ERP and MES systems to JobTime.  

For more information, including examples of specific file structures involved, under Downloads  or Request Information, please access and see our more detailed "JobLink" document.