Virtual Factory Unveiled As Next Step In Supply-Chain Management

Compiled ByDeborah Austin The Virtual Factory -- a suite of collaborative applications to help global manufacturers manage multiple locations, processes, and companies as a single factory -- has been introduced by Camstar Systems Inc. The suite is anchored by Camstar's InSiteLive, which functions as a plant's "central nervous system" managing realtime production information and processes. Virtual Factory applications include:

LiveConnect -- an integration broker for seamless communication infrastructure;

LiveSync -- for design change management;

LiveView -- for enterprise-wide analytics and reports;

LiveRelay -- for maintaining consistent production information throughout the network;

LiveOrder -- for managing production at order level across multiple sites;

LiveAlert -- a notification system regarding unforeseen changes. Camstar -- Campbell, Calif.-based provider of collaborative manufacturing execution solutions -- is shipping InSiteLive, LiveRelay, and LiveSync now; remaining applications should ship late-2001 and 2002.