Ignition by Inductive Automation is server software that connects manufacturers to solutions in human-machine interface (HMI), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), manufacturing execution systems (MES), and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
Fishers, Indiana: Flexware Innovation, a Fishers-based engineering technology firm for manufacturers, was named #1 Integrator of the Year by Inductive Automation. The annual competition combines customer satisfaction with sales performance to determine Inductive Automation’s top partners in the delivery of the Ignition industrial application platform.
Leading up to this reward, Flexware was also recognized as a Firebrand Award winner last September at the Ignition Community Conference (ICC). Flexware’s project with Veoneer, a worldwide leader in automotive technology, was recognized as one of the most innovative projects of 2020 submitted by integrators and industrial organizations. The project featured a business-critical and ambitious implementation of the Ignition software in the production of night vision cameras sold to automotive suppliers.
“The timeline for this process was so tight because we were told on very short notice that our use of the previous SCADA system/traceability system was going to be cut, and we had no built-in time or freedom in our production schedule,” said Anthony Barnes, process and controls engineer at Veoneer, “It’s definitely given us improvement, measurable improvement… We’re able to more accurately track hour-by-hour production numbers and downtime numbers to make on the-fly adjustments to production schedules and delivery times.”
“The core of the solution was really about customer configuration and putting the power of maintaining that solution in the customer’s hand. Throughout the project a lot of attention and detail went into building screens and functionality that would really allow the customer to expand upon the solution and maintain that moving forward…,” said Brian McClain of Flexware.
Flexware has a dedicated team of 18 engineers that deploy Ignition implementations for manufacturers around the globe. “With Ignition, it was really built around what our needs were and our process instead of our process being made to fit something that didn’t work for us,” said Barnes, “I was very happy with the job that Flexware did. Anytime we had an issue, a change request, something we needed to be done different or improved or maybe even a new capability implemented, they were very good at doing that quickly.”
Example of an Ignition manufacturing operations dashboard
Ignition software, used by manufacturers in over 100 countries and used by fifty-four of the Fortune 100 companies, is a universal platform for industrial automation.
As a premier integrator, Flexware Innovation has successfully implemented the Ignition server software for manufacturers in the food and beverage industry, life sciences, automotive, metals & steel, and consumer products.
Ignition is unique in its offering in that it uses an unlimited-licensing model, is compatible with any platform, and offers free, ready-to-use resources in its proprietary exchange library. This makes Ignition an affordable, fast, and scalable solution for manufacturers investing in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Ignition puts full control of the plant floor on smartphones and tablets and is best suited for companies implementing automation into heavy workflows.
Inductive Automation’s Co-Director of Sales Engineering, Kevin McClusky commented: “Flexware has been great to work with. They have a solid team of engineers with innovative ideas and a deep wealth of knowledge. I have enjoyed our interactions over the past several years and can’t wait to see what they build next.”
Flexware Innovation: Founded in 1996 is an engineering firm that works side-by-side with customers leveraging technology to provide best-in-class software development, automation engineering, manufacturing systems integration, business intelligence solutions, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and specialized product development. To learn more about Flexware Innovation, visit www.flexwareinnovation.com, and on LinkedIn.
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