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ExtSTAR | Features
& Benefits | Prior Releases | Reports | Screen
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Brochure (PDF)
ExtSTAR™ is a complete production information system that lets
extruders manage orders from the point they're received through all stages of
production to invoicing. Developed specifically for aluminum extruders, it
incorporates features that automate and optimize production planning, scheduling
and tracking, inventory management and shipping document
generation. ExtSTAR also includes extensive reporting features that let
managers measure production efficiency and profits. In use for over 11 years, it's a proven solution with a solid track record.
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New Version 9.3.3!
Version 9.3.3 adds ExtSTARWeb, which makes the reporting function of the
Outside Processing module available directly to outside processing vendors via
a web site, eliminating emailing of PDF files and avoiding timing issues
possible with high-volume accounts. Better yet, ExtSTARWeb provides the
infrastructure for exposing even more ExtSTAR functionality to vendors,
customers and associates in the future, a first for an extrusion industry ERP
application!
Version 9.3.3 also adds validation of the Chemical Analysis for
billet/log heats/casts against industry standards for each alloy, instantly
alerting operators when components are out of spec.
Version 9.3
Version 9.3 introduces an optional Consignment/Outside Processing module
that helps make working with outside processors more efficient and accurate. It
also includes several scheduling, routing and pricing enhancements. These
new features help you ensure that material gets shipped to the right location,
keep an accurate inventory of material at consignment customers and outside
processors (including the uninvoiced value of consigned product), provide traceability for ISO 9000 compliance, track scrap expected
to be returned from vendors and customers and accurately bill customers in a
timely manner. The scheduling enhancements show totals for hours and pounds
scheduled for a particular day, which are instantly updated as the schedule is
modified. The updated scheduling tool also computes an Extrude By date based on the lead time for
the processes (departments) scheduled for each job. The pricing
enhancements allow charges to be combined on invoices in several ways, while
optionally keeping them separate for accounting purposes.
- Consignments/Outside Processing
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The Consignment/Outside Processing module tracks packages that are shipped to
customers on a consignment basis, which aren't invoiced until the customer
reports that they've been used. Once packages have been shipped to a
consignment customer, a PDF form file is generated and emailed to the customer
listing all the packages that have been shipped to them, grouped by part number. When the customer uses consigned material, they open the PDF file
in Adobe Acrobat and indicate the number of pieces used from each package as
well as the date (try it out!). They then save the file and email it back to you.
Once you receive the filled PDF file, you simply use the Import PDF function on
the Consignments/Outside Processing form to update ExtSTAR's database with the
information. The customer can indicate quantities that were scrapped along
with a scrap reason, as well as any other notes related to the package.
Once a consigned package is reported consumed by the customer, it appears in
ExtSTAR's invoicing function as a package that is ready to be invoiced.
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ExtSTAR also tracks material that is sent to one or more outside vendors for
processing (e.g. fabrication, finishing, etc.) before being returned to you or
sent directly to the customer. A vendor can be associated with any process assigned to a customer part or shop order line item. Packages
shipped to vendors associated with an Outside Process are automatically put into
the Outside Processing module for tracking. A PDF form file is generated
listing the (source) packages that have been shipped to a vendor, and then
emailed to the vendor. When the vendor processes parts, they add new
(finished) packages to the PDF form file indicating the part number, package
number and quantity of the parts that were processed. They also identify
the packages that were used as the source of the parts in the finished
package. After they email the filled PDF file back to you, you simply
import the data from it using the Import PDF function to update ExtSTAR's
database. If the package is being sent directly from the vendor to the
customer, then the finished package automatically appears in ExtSTAR's invoicing
function as a package that is ready to be invoiced.
In addition to standard parts, the Outside Processing function allows
combination parts or assemblies to be defined using a single-level bill of
materials (BOM). When a shop order is created for such combination
parts, component shop orders can be automatically generated and planned
for the needed components. The vendor who combines the components
into finished assemblies identifies the source package for each component
used in making the finished parts in the PDF form file that is returned to
the extruder. Parts can also be designated to ship in long lengths,
which are then cut back to the finished part length by an outside
processing vendor. A new Expected Scrap Report shows total scrap expected to be returned
by a vendor and/or customer over a period of time, including scrap
resulting from the cutting back of long lengths to finished lengths, scrap
expected to be returned from the fabrication of parts in an outside
process and scrapped piece quantities reported in the course of performing
an outside process or consuming consigned parts.
The Consignments/Outside Processing form is used to maintain packages
being tracked through Consignment or Outside Processes
- Scheduling
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The Scheduling form has several enhancements to
help schedule presses more accurately and more easily recognize the
highest-priority jobs. Total weight and hours scheduled for a day are
now displayed and updated automatically as jobs are added to or removed from
the Line Up, or billet quantities are adjusted. Columns for Weight,
Extrude By date, Hours and Lead Time have been added. The Hours for
each job is computed based on the recent historical productivity of the
profile, or a pre-set expected or standard production rate for new
profiles. The Extrude By and Lead Time values are determined using
lead times that can be assigned to processes. These values can be
overridden for any part or order line item.
The Scheduling form is used to select and order jobs to run on a particular
day using intuitive drag & drop
- Pricing
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Prices for specific charge types can now be
combined with the metal charge or with each other on invoices, while being
kept separate in totals reported by sales account for accounting purposes,
including invoices exported to an accounting system. The Combine flag
on the Price Order form can be set to either combine on Invoice Only or
Invoice w/Like Charges. The former combines a charge (e.g. cutting,
finishing) with the base charge for the product on the invoice, while the
latter combines charges with other like charges (e.g. energy
surcharge). These combination options are available with or without
the Automatic Pricing option. With Automatic Pricing, an additional
combine option, Accounting & Invoice, is available, which makes it easy
to assign and adjust up-charges and discounts (e.g. alloy, quantity
discounts) without having to adjust prices specified by die type, profile or
part.
Click here to see details about
prior releases.
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