GE Intelligent Platforms Launches Work Process Management (WPM) Solutions

GE Intelligent Platforms announced the availability of  several Work Process Management (WPM) solutions that support digitization and streamlining of production operations. WPM solutions include GE’s Proficy® Workflow and additional solutions including Proficy for eSOP, Proficy SCADA Alarm Response Management and Proficy Production Corrective Action.

In addition, the company will  integrate industry-specific, workflow-based solutions into the Proficy portfolio. Proficy solutions support integration of automated and manual processes that cross system and departmental boundaries, with the goal of reducing process variations that lead to increased errors, risks and costs, thereby enabling dynamic decision making for reliable, repeatable process execution.  Outputs from the work process management systems range from work instructions for common tasks to corrective action procedures, notifications and  monitoring  workflows that address out-of-spec events and emergencies.

“The global economic downturn is driving the need to reduce costs and waste — do more with less,” said Erik Udstuen, Software & Services Vice President for GE Intelligent Platforms. “Aging workforces drive employee attrition and new, inexperienced operators have a higher potential for errors. There are now more stringent regulations across industries where companies need documentation to support their claims of compliance. That’s where the Proficy solutions come in. Proficy is the platform that delivers results to improve operations.”

Proficy for eSOP allows companies to document processes, and to collect and transfer knowledge that drive consistency and predictability at the plant operational level using a single tool to deliver digitization of manual and automated processes with one tool across the entire facility.

“Work Process Management can also drive real-time asset management, bridging Operations and Maintenance teams and linking SCADA and CMMS,” said Matt Wells, General Manager, Work Process Management Solutions. “With real-time asset management, organizations can reduce maintenance costs and improve uptime.”

With GE’s eSOP solution, companies can achieve real-time, condition-based asset management. When an out-of-spec event takes place in the System Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), eSOP triggers a work processes, secures a work order number, sends instructions to an operator, to quickly remediate problem and then close out the event throughout the system.  Reducing the time from condition detection through managing work requests and completing corrective action results in less downtime, maintenance, risk, as well as and lower operating costs.

“Work Process Management is the next step in the Operational Excellence journey,” said Udstuen. “Repeatable, consistent operations are the ultimate goals for manufacturers today. With Proficy, you can achieve the right actions at the right time, every day — from common tasks to critical emergencies and close the loop on industrial operations to minimize errors and risk, reduce waste, and ensure compliance.”

Read the full press release, visit the GE Intelligent Platforms website, or follow on Twitter  @GE_IP.

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