St. Paul, MN -- (SBWire) -- 12/21/2016 --This latest post on the Demand-Driven Matters blog outlines several distinctions between process and discrete manufacturing methods. Process manufacturing uses formulations versus Bills of Materials (BOMs) and assembles along a routing used by discrete manufacturers.

Discrete manufacturers are typically ETO (engineer-to-order), which includes make-to-stock (MTS), make-to-order (MTO), and assemble-to-order (ATO) production facilities. Because each product manufactured is unique, often requiring on-going modifications and engineering during the manufacturing process, there is a strong requirement for synchronized production planning, scheduling and execution. Without this alignment and real-time tracking of activity and status, operations may degrade and erode profitability.

Process manufacturers blend a batch – often a literal recipe as found in food and beverage manufacturing. Process manufacturers build something that cannot be taken apart; once the cake batter ingredients have been mixed, the ingredients cannot be removed from the finished goods produced. This makes process manufacturers formula-focused. Discrete manufacturers make finished goods that have components that can be taken apart and used in another capacity. Discrete manufacturing can be reversed, while process manufacturing is irreversible.

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About Synchrono
Synchrono (http://www.synchrono.com) demand-driven manufacturing software synchronizes complex manufacturing environments in real-time, to drive business results. For almost twenty years, Synchrono systems have helped discrete manufacturers, engineer-to-order manufacturers, and others manage constraints, improve flow and drive on-time production. When integrated under the Synchrono Demand-Driven Manufacturing Platform, lean and demand-driven initiatives achieve new levels of excellence, transforming businesses by synchronizing people, processes, machines, materials, and data to drive production flow from order inception to delivery.

The award winning Synchrono Demand-Driven Manufacturing Platform offers five system components, including a planning, scheduling, and production management system and ekanban software for real-time inventory replenishment and supply chain collaboration. The Synchrono Platform has a unique a data collection, historian, and automated workflow engine along with an application that generates automatic alerts, escalation and action plans to minimize disruptions. Perhaps most importantly, this technology platform also includes a real-time visual factory information system. Everyone at every level of a manufacturing organization has access to one version of the truth with a dynamic view of what is happening at every stage of the manufacturing process; from order inception through production and delivery.

Synchrono systems allow for the simultaneous exchange of data across systems and resources, the ability to respond to constraints and changes in demand as they occur, and to predict, pre-empt, and prioritize issues. The Platform components may be implemented independently or collectively to enable the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), providing an unprecedented foundation for communication, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Synchrono delivers a competitive edge. Follow the Demand-Driven Matters blog at http://www.synchrono.com/blog and follow Synchrono on Twitter at @Synchrono_News.