OREANDA-NEWS. GE Intelligent Platforms (NYSE: GE) today announced the immediate availability of Proficy® OEE, a software solution that provides a critical link between measurement and improvement of manufacturing processes. This scalable solution is designed to continuously monitor and improve equipment performance, providing manufacturers an analysis tool which can increase efficiency and productivity on the shop floor. And, because Proficy OEE is completely turnkey, companies can implement it quickly so as to maximize its return on investment and minimize total cost of ownership (TCO).

“Manufacturers are being asked to do more with fewer resources,” said Don Busiek, General Manager Manufacturing Software for GE Intelligent Platforms. “Overall equipment effectiveness, OEE, provides a way for these manufacturers to make the most of what they already have by ensuring their equipment is running at top levels of performance.”

OEE quantifies how well a manufacturing unit performs relative to its designed capacity, during the periods when it is scheduled to run. A well-understood tool to support continuous improvement and a commonly used key performance indicator (KPI) in conjunction with lean manufacturing efforts, OEE breaks performance into three separate but measurable components: Availability, Performance and Quality. Each component points to an aspect of the process that can be targeted for improvement. OEE may be applied to any individual Work Center or rolled up to the department or plant levels. This tool allows for drilling down for very specific analysis such as particular part number, shirt or any of several other parameters.

Proficy OEE is an “out-of-the-box” software package powered by GE’s award-winning Proficy Software, for a competitive, yet scalable solution to address efficiency needs. Proficy OEE leverages a number of Proficy Software applications designed to provide a manufacturing intelligence layer for every day operations by transforming plant data into meaningful information. OEE information is delivered through a powerful operational dashboard that provides a role-based environment simplifying real-time decision making.

“Measuring makes it easier to improve, and improving productivity by eliminating waste is a core objective of lean manufacturing,” continued Busiek. “This is a common practice at GE, and this package has proven itself effective in the company’s world-class manufacturing operations, as well as those of other global manufacturers who have reported upwards of 10% increases in efficiency by utilizing OEE solutions.”