MSP Onions in Nieuwdorp, the Netherlands, has been building its 'Factory of the Future' since 2017. In this entirely new factory, the processing process is almost fully automated. From when they arrive by truck at the weighbridge, the onions find their own way through the plant.
Profix IT Solutions played a crucial role in this process' success. Data was entered into the Profix AGF software. This serves as a base for the factory's processing works. MSP Onions has been a Profix IT Solutions client for more than three years. When MSP Onions decided to take up with Profix IT Solutions, the new plant's automation was always both parties' goal. During the development of the Profix AGF system on MSP Onions' process, this was considered from Day 1. As a result, MSP Onions' current processes are solid.
Lindert Moerdijk of MSP Onions says, 'Profix AGF is the only one of its kind. It's already compatible with delivering an ERP that's suitable from bulk to packaging."
Profix AGF's currently being further developed. It must link to Eqontrol. Eqontrol is the software the controls the factory's different processing machines. It also does stock management. By linking Profix AGF and Eqontrol, full automation's possible. That's for both the processing and trading processes. AGF provides input about the expected purchasing and sales orders to Eqontrol.
In Eqontrol, these input and output orders are processed. The onions then physically make their way through the processing plant. Eqontrol controls the onions' route, and this is fed back to Profix AGF. The process and its corresponding results are, therefore, made transparent in Profix AGF. That's done without any need for manual action.
At the moment, orders are already making their way, live, through the process. According to Lindert, the parties involved are pleased with the results. A load's signed off by a driver via the Profix Transport App. It's then registered as being delivered at MSP Gold (Factory of the Future). Then it's sorted and packaged - with no intervention from people or forklifts.
MSP Onions hasn't only integrated its systems with Eqontrol. They now also have an automated weighbridge coupling. The input order's data's automatically retrieved from Profix AGF. It's linked to the load's trip number, using their weighing's loading particulars. The weighing results are fed back directly into Profix AGF.
The custom-built Profix Transport App's becoming more important in the process too. Using this app, MSP Onions' drivers can, at all times, see the transport trip's loading and offloading data. Of course, with the corresponding information needed at the grower or, for example, the terminal. The driver enters specific data. The office staff can then, in turn, proceed with processing the order. Temperature recorders are scanned, and photos are taken to record the onions' quality. All of this, via a user-friendly app on a smartphone.
All these developments ensure that MSP Onions' goal will soon be realized. It involves fully automating the business process. Various links will connect seamlessly and communicate automatically. Profix IT Solutions, Eqontrol, and MSP Onions are facing an exciting time. But these companies have built trust in each other in recent years. It is, therefore, just a matter of time before the 'Factory of the Future' becomes the 'Factory of Today'.
For more information:
Profix IT Solutions
Martin van Doorn
IABC 5184
4814 RA, Breda, NL
Email: info@profix-it.nl
Website: www.profix-it.nl
MSP Uienhandel
Lindert Moerdijk
32a Hertenweg
4455 TL, Nieuwdorp, NL
Email: lindert@msp-onions.nl
Website: www.msp-onions.nl
Eqontrol
166 IJsselmeerlaan
8304 GM, Emmeloord, NL
Email: info@eqontrol.com
Website: www.eqontrol.com