OFBIZ Manufacturing

[Pierre Smits]

Dear all,

Currently I am participating in the collaboration project "IMAGINE -
Innovative End-to-End Management of Dynamic Manufacturing Networks", that
resides under the theme  "Virtual Factories and Enterprises" as part of the
FP7 Programme of the EU.

The goal of this project is to enable SME Manufacturing Enterprises in the
EU market space to shorten the time-to-market of their product by assisting
manufacturing customers in forming partnerships with suppliers and a better
exchange of information and data throughout the lifecycle of the
partnership.

During methodology studies it is envisioned that exchange of information
and data entails 4 interlocking areas, namely:

   1. Partner blueprints - All static information (and data) re
   organization and human entities, including connection mechanisms (addresses
   and such) of the participating organization
   2. Manufacture blueprints - All static information (and data) re
   products (e.g. pricing, QoS re delivery, mBOM's, eBOM's and such)
   3. End-2-End blueprints - All dynamic information (and data) re inputs
   and output of the process segments, in customer to supplier end-2-end
   processes while manufacturing the goods (but also including process
   definitions in BPEL, BPMN and xPDL)
   4. QA blueprints - All information (and data) relating to maintaining
   the QoS requirements of the organization and establishing/enhancing trust
   between (potential) partners (encompassing org. certification, e.g. ISO
   9000, but also product certification, and more)

All to be facilitated through established Open Standards and Technolgies.

In the methodology studies it was also envisioned that, while initial
profiling should start by registering company and lead contact persons and
their mechanisms in a portal solution (currently intended OS product:
Liferay, part of the envisioned IMAGINE platform), as soon as the
connection mechanisms regarding service adapters are setup and verified
systems like CRM, Manufacturing, ProjectMgt and Warehousing connect through
the IMAGINE platform (mainly OS ESB like Servicemix - while providing
dashboard functionalities in the portal for participants that are not (yet)
at the highest level of maturity regarding partnering - e.g. uploading data
through spreadsheets and info via PDF and such).

As this project still has a lifespan of approx 2 years left and system
integration has no started yet, it is my belief that OFBiz could be in the
front runner position and create a name in the EU market space regarding
Open Source ERP in general and Manufacturing in particular combined with
info and data exchange through ESBs. Which is a huge opportunity for us.

Thinking of the possibilites I foresee following use-cases (amongst others)
to be applicable:

   - When the initial registration of the company has been realized and the
   connection mechanism regarding the ESB connectivity has been setup and
   verified the information relating the Partner blueprint is provided by
   means of the data available/maintained in the Party component
   - When potential suppliers are identified through the search
   capabilities in the portal the data contained there (Party data et all) is
   pulled/delivered into the SCM (through the ESB)
   - When potential customers are identified through the seach capabilities
   in the portal the data contained thee is pulled/delivered into the CRM
   (through the ESB)
   - When potential suppliers are initially contacted and a connection is
   being negotiated more data is pullled from and/or delivered to Product
   Catalog and Manufacturing (through the ESB)
   - When an agreement is concluded this is also pulled/delivered in the
   system of the participant(s)
   - When proces segments are started, executed and concluded information
   (date) thereabout are pulled/delivered into the ERP system of the customer
   (also through the ESB) and send to the portal for dashboarding purpopes.

Unfortunately I am not that well experienced in Manufacturing, establishing
ESB integration for OFBiz and delivering data from one system (like OFBiz)
through a third party ESB to another system (like OFBiz) and thus I am
wondering about possible difficulties regarding this.

What do you think possible technical issues are given current state of
OFBiz?

I appreciate and value your thoughts/input on this.

Regards,

Pierre

[Sakthivel Vellingiri]

Pierre -

While I do not claim to be an expert in Manufacturing, I'm helping
customize Ofbiz for a Food Sevices Industry in a Franchise Model where
Ofbiz Manufacturing be the food kitchen; Additionally the following
modules, being used
- MyPortal  : Dashboard
- Order Manager: Purchase , Sales Orders, Transfer Orders
- Party Manager : Suppliers, Users & Customers
- SFA : Sales Forecast
- Facility : Inventory & Shipping
-Manufacturing: MRP in Manufacturing, very handy for automating
Requirements management

As far as ESB integration goes, Ofbiz being based on Service based
Architecture, should come very handy; I'm guessing you will have some
work to do to be able to make individual modules, loosely coupled
using ESB

Goodluck with your efforts!

- Regards
Sakthi

On 4/10/12, Pierre Smits <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Dear all,
>
> Currently I am participating in the collaboration project "IMAGINE -
> Innovative End-to-End Management of Dynamic Manufacturing Networks", that
> resides under the theme  "Virtual Factories and Enterprises" as part of the
> FP7 Programme of the EU.
>
> The goal of this project is to enable SME Manufacturing Enterprises in the
> EU market space to shorten the time-to-market of their product by assisting
> manufacturing customers in forming partnerships with suppliers and a better
> exchange of information and data throughout the lifecycle of the
> partnership.
>
> During methodology studies it is envisioned that exchange of information
> and data entails 4 interlocking areas, namely:
>
>    1. Partner blueprints - All static information (and data) re
>    organization and human entities, including connection mechanisms
> (addresses
>    and such) of the participating organization
>    2. Manufacture blueprints - All static information (and data) re
>    products (e.g. pricing, QoS re delivery, mBOM's, eBOM's and such)
>    3. End-2-End blueprints - All dynamic information (and data) re inputs
>    and output of the process segments, in customer to supplier end-2-end
>    processes while manufacturing the goods (but also including process
>    definitions in BPEL, BPMN and xPDL)
>    4. QA blueprints - All information (and data) relating to maintaining
>    the QoS requirements of the organization and establishing/enhancing trust
>    between (potential) partners (encompassing org. certification, e.g. ISO
>    9000, but also product certification, and more)
>
> All to be facilitated through established Open Standards and Technolgies.
>
> In the methodology studies it was also envisioned that, while initial
> profiling should start by registering company and lead contact persons and
> their mechanisms in a portal solution (currently intended OS product:
> Liferay, part of the envisioned IMAGINE platform), as soon as the
> connection mechanisms regarding service adapters are setup and verified
> systems like CRM, Manufacturing, ProjectMgt and Warehousing connect through
> the IMAGINE platform (mainly OS ESB like Servicemix - while providing
> dashboard functionalities in the portal for participants that are not (yet)
> at the highest level of maturity regarding partnering - e.g. uploading data
> through spreadsheets and info via PDF and such).
>
> As this project still has a lifespan of approx 2 years left and system
> integration has no started yet, it is my belief that OFBiz could be in the
> front runner position and create a name in the EU market space regarding
> Open Source ERP in general and Manufacturing in particular combined with
> info and data exchange through ESBs. Which is a huge opportunity for us.
>
> Thinking of the possibilites I foresee following use-cases (amongst others)
> to be applicable:
>
>    - When the initial registration of the company has been realized and the
>    connection mechanism regarding the ESB connectivity has been setup and
>    verified the information relating the Partner blueprint is provided by
>    means of the data available/maintained in the Party component
>    - When potential suppliers are identified through the search
>    capabilities in the portal the data contained there (Party data et all)
> is
>    pulled/delivered into the SCM (through the ESB)
>    - When potential customers are identified through the seach capabilities
>    in the portal the data contained thee is pulled/delivered into the CRM
>    (through the ESB)
>    - When potential suppliers are initially contacted and a connection is
>    being negotiated more data is pullled from and/or delivered to Product
>    Catalog and Manufacturing (through the ESB)
>    - When an agreement is concluded this is also pulled/delivered in the
>    system of the participant(s)
>    - When proces segments are started, executed and concluded information
>    (date) thereabout are pulled/delivered into the ERP system of the
> customer
>    (also through the ESB) and send to the portal for dashboarding purpopes.
>
> Unfortunately I am not that well experienced in Manufacturing, establishing
> ESB integration for OFBiz and delivering data from one system (like OFBiz)
> through a third party ESB to another system (like OFBiz) and thus I am
> wondering about possible difficulties regarding this.
>
> What do you think possible technical issues are given current state of
> OFBiz?
>
> I appreciate and value your thoughts/input on this.
>
> Regards,
>
> Pierre
>

--
Sent from my mobile device

[Jacques Le Roux]

Just a word: it does not make sense to use an ESB like ServiceMix as long as it's not mandatory. In other words you may consider 1st
using OFBiz as much as possible, and use only an ESB if you need to integrate with other systems. Even then sometimes using SOAP or
XML-RPC would be easier depending of the openness of third systems. RMI is faster but beware of troubleshooting it on a net with a
lot of firewalls...

The beauty of OFBiz is that it comes already integrated. We know the ERP way (all integrated) has some drawbacks, but don't forget
about drawbacks of other ways... OFBiz is not perfect but it works OOTB and can be "easily" enhanced... Some ESB projects have
already proved to fail in the mid/long term...

You might be interested by
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBIZ/Manufacturing+Process+Stories+and+Diagrams
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBADMIN/OFBiz+Related+Books#OFBizRelatedBooks-"GettingStartedwithApacheOFBizManufacturing&MRPin5EasySteps"(Release09.04andabove)
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBREQDES/UBPL+Introduction
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBREQDES/Universal+Business+Process+Library+Index

But this topic is more for the user list...

Jacques

From: "Integrin" <[hidden email]>

> Pierre -
>
> While I do not claim to be an expert in Manufacturing, I'm helping
> customize Ofbiz for a Food Sevices Industry in a Franchise Model where
> Ofbiz Manufacturing be the food kitchen; Additionally the following
> modules, being used
> - MyPortal  : Dashboard
> - Order Manager: Purchase , Sales Orders, Transfer Orders
> - Party Manager : Suppliers, Users & Customers
> - SFA : Sales Forecast
> - Facility : Inventory & Shipping
> -Manufacturing: MRP in Manufacturing, very handy for automating
> Requirements management
>
> As far as ESB integration goes, Ofbiz being based on Service based
> Architecture, should come very handy; I'm guessing you will have some
> work to do to be able to make individual modules, loosely coupled
> using ESB
>
> Goodluck with your efforts!
>
> - Regards
> Sakthi
>
> On 4/10/12, Pierre Smits <[hidden email]> wrote:
>> Dear all,
>>
>> Currently I am participating in the collaboration project "IMAGINE -
>> Innovative End-to-End Management of Dynamic Manufacturing Networks", that
>> resides under the theme  "Virtual Factories and Enterprises" as part of the
>> FP7 Programme of the EU.
>>
>> The goal of this project is to enable SME Manufacturing Enterprises in the
>> EU market space to shorten the time-to-market of their product by assisting
>> manufacturing customers in forming partnerships with suppliers and a better
>> exchange of information and data throughout the lifecycle of the
>> partnership.
>>
>> During methodology studies it is envisioned that exchange of information
>> and data entails 4 interlocking areas, namely:
>>
>>    1. Partner blueprints - All static information (and data) re
>>    organization and human entities, including connection mechanisms
>> (addresses
>>    and such) of the participating organization
>>    2. Manufacture blueprints - All static information (and data) re
>>    products (e.g. pricing, QoS re delivery, mBOM's, eBOM's and such)
>>    3. End-2-End blueprints - All dynamic information (and data) re inputs
>>    and output of the process segments, in customer to supplier end-2-end
>>    processes while manufacturing the goods (but also including process
>>    definitions in BPEL, BPMN and xPDL)
>>    4. QA blueprints - All information (and data) relating to maintaining
>>    the QoS requirements of the organization and establishing/enhancing trust
>>    between (potential) partners (encompassing org. certification, e.g. ISO
>>    9000, but also product certification, and more)
>>
>> All to be facilitated through established Open Standards and Technolgies.
>>
>> In the methodology studies it was also envisioned that, while initial
>> profiling should start by registering company and lead contact persons and
>> their mechanisms in a portal solution (currently intended OS product:
>> Liferay, part of the envisioned IMAGINE platform), as soon as the
>> connection mechanisms regarding service adapters are setup and verified
>> systems like CRM, Manufacturing, ProjectMgt and Warehousing connect through
>> the IMAGINE platform (mainly OS ESB like Servicemix - while providing
>> dashboard functionalities in the portal for participants that are not (yet)
>> at the highest level of maturity regarding partnering - e.g. uploading data
>> through spreadsheets and info via PDF and such).
>>
>> As this project still has a lifespan of approx 2 years left and system
>> integration has no started yet, it is my belief that OFBiz could be in the
>> front runner position and create a name in the EU market space regarding
>> Open Source ERP in general and Manufacturing in particular combined with
>> info and data exchange through ESBs. Which is a huge opportunity for us.
>>
>> Thinking of the possibilites I foresee following use-cases (amongst others)
>> to be applicable:
>>
>>    - When the initial registration of the company has been realized and the
>>    connection mechanism regarding the ESB connectivity has been setup and
>>    verified the information relating the Partner blueprint is provided by
>>    means of the data available/maintained in the Party component
>>    - When potential suppliers are identified through the search
>>    capabilities in the portal the data contained there (Party data et all)
>> is
>>    pulled/delivered into the SCM (through the ESB)
>>    - When potential customers are identified through the seach capabilities
>>    in the portal the data contained thee is pulled/delivered into the CRM
>>    (through the ESB)
>>    - When potential suppliers are initially contacted and a connection is
>>    being negotiated more data is pullled from and/or delivered to Product
>>    Catalog and Manufacturing (through the ESB)
>>    - When an agreement is concluded this is also pulled/delivered in the
>>    system of the participant(s)
>>    - When proces segments are started, executed and concluded information
>>    (date) thereabout are pulled/delivered into the ERP system of the
>> customer
>>    (also through the ESB) and send to the portal for dashboarding purpopes.
>>
>> Unfortunately I am not that well experienced in Manufacturing, establishing
>> ESB integration for OFBiz and delivering data from one system (like OFBiz)
>> through a third party ESB to another system (like OFBiz) and thus I am
>> wondering about possible difficulties regarding this.
>>
>> What do you think possible technical issues are given current state of
>> OFBiz?
>>
>> I appreciate and value your thoughts/input on this.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Pierre
>>
>
> --
> Sent from my mobile device

[Pierre Smits]

Hi Jacques, all,


First of all: you are right. If there weren't a need for solution you
wouldn't go that way.

But as it happens, within the consortium of the project there are partners
who have implemented ESB's (and for the sake of the argument let's pretend
that in the European market space every variant ESB is implemented) and
allow only to be connected through their ESB.

And also the IMAGINE platform is expected to have an ESB as part of the
architecture, but that hasn't been formalized yet. So that may change.

So what needs to be done so that OFBiz can connect to an ESB and that info
and data is delivered through that ESB to either the portal in the IMAGINE
platform or the partner with his system at the other end of the ESB?

Secondly:
OFBiz is also a solution for manufacturing. We have the code in place. But
how good is it? Are there endusers who use that component and how?

I have seen and read the book you referred to, and have worked to the code
to understand its principles. But like I said I don't have the experience
in implementing a manufacturing solution, so I don't know what it all
entails. That's why I invite everybody to share their insights.

Regarding,

Pierre




Op 10 april 2012 23:39 schreef Jacques Le Roux <[hidden email]
> het volgende:

> Just a word: it does not make sense to use an ESB like ServiceMix as long
> as it's not mandatory. In other words you may consider 1st using OFBiz as
> much as possible, and use only an ESB if you need to integrate with other
> systems. Even then sometimes using SOAP or XML-RPC would be easier
> depending of the openness of third systems. RMI is faster but beware of
> troubleshooting it on a net with a lot of firewalls...
>
> The beauty of OFBiz is that it comes already integrated. We know the ERP
> way (all integrated) has some drawbacks, but don't forget about drawbacks
> of other ways... OFBiz is not perfect but it works OOTB and can be "easily"
> enhanced... Some ESB projects have already proved to fail in the mid/long
> term...
>
> You might be interested by
> https://cwiki.apache.org/**confluence/display/OFBIZ/**
> Manufacturing+Process+Stories+**and+Diagrams<https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBIZ/Manufacturing+Process+Stories+and+Diagrams>
> https://cwiki.apache.org/**confluence/display/OFBADMIN/**
> OFBiz+Related+Books#**OFBizRelatedBooks-<https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBADMIN/OFBiz+Related+Books#OFBizRelatedBooks->
> "**GettingStartedwithApacheOFBizM**anufacturing&MRPin5EasySteps"(**
> Release09.04andabove)
> https://cwiki.apache.org/**confluence/display/OFBREQDES/**
> UBPL+Introduction<https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBREQDES/UBPL+Introduction>
> https://cwiki.apache.org/**confluence/display/OFBREQDES/**
> Universal+Business+Process+**Library+Index<https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBREQDES/Universal+Business+Process+Library+Index>
>
> But this topic is more for the user list...
>
> Jacques
>
> From: "Integrin" <[hidden email]>
>
>  Pierre -
>>
>> While I do not claim to be an expert in Manufacturing, I'm helping
>> customize Ofbiz for a Food Sevices Industry in a Franchise Model where
>> Ofbiz Manufacturing be the food kitchen; Additionally the following
>> modules, being used
>> - MyPortal  : Dashboard
>> - Order Manager: Purchase , Sales Orders, Transfer Orders
>> - Party Manager : Suppliers, Users & Customers
>> - SFA : Sales Forecast
>> - Facility : Inventory & Shipping
>> -Manufacturing: MRP in Manufacturing, very handy for automating
>> Requirements management
>>
>> As far as ESB integration goes, Ofbiz being based on Service based
>> Architecture, should come very handy; I'm guessing you will have some
>> work to do to be able to make individual modules, loosely coupled
>> using ESB
>>
>> Goodluck with your efforts!
>>
>> - Regards
>> Sakthi
>>
>> On 4/10/12, Pierre Smits <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>> Dear all,
>>>
>>> Currently I am participating in the collaboration project "IMAGINE -
>>> Innovative End-to-End Management of Dynamic Manufacturing Networks", that
>>> resides under the theme  "Virtual Factories and Enterprises" as part of
>>> the
>>> FP7 Programme of the EU.
>>>
>>> The goal of this project is to enable SME Manufacturing Enterprises in
>>> the
>>> EU market space to shorten the time-to-market of their product by
>>> assisting
>>> manufacturing customers in forming partnerships with suppliers and a
>>> better
>>> exchange of information and data throughout the lifecycle of the
>>> partnership.
>>>
>>> During methodology studies it is envisioned that exchange of information
>>> and data entails 4 interlocking areas, namely:
>>>
>>>   1. Partner blueprints - All static information (and data) re
>>>   organization and human entities, including connection mechanisms
>>> (addresses
>>>   and such) of the participating organization
>>>   2. Manufacture blueprints - All static information (and data) re
>>>   products (e.g. pricing, QoS re delivery, mBOM's, eBOM's and such)
>>>   3. End-2-End blueprints - All dynamic information (and data) re inputs
>>>   and output of the process segments, in customer to supplier end-2-end
>>>   processes while manufacturing the goods (but also including process
>>>   definitions in BPEL, BPMN and xPDL)
>>>   4. QA blueprints - All information (and data) relating to maintaining
>>>   the QoS requirements of the organization and establishing/enhancing
>>> trust
>>>   between (potential) partners (encompassing org. certification, e.g. ISO
>>>   9000, but also product certification, and more)
>>>
>>> All to be facilitated through established Open Standards and Technolgies.
>>>
>>> In the methodology studies it was also envisioned that, while initial
>>> profiling should start by registering company and lead contact persons
>>> and
>>> their mechanisms in a portal solution (currently intended OS product:
>>> Liferay, part of the envisioned IMAGINE platform), as soon as the
>>> connection mechanisms regarding service adapters are setup and verified
>>> systems like CRM, Manufacturing, ProjectMgt and Warehousing connect
>>> through
>>> the IMAGINE platform (mainly OS ESB like Servicemix - while providing
>>> dashboard functionalities in the portal for participants that are not
>>> (yet)
>>> at the highest level of maturity regarding partnering - e.g. uploading
>>> data
>>> through spreadsheets and info via PDF and such).
>>>
>>> As this project still has a lifespan of approx 2 years left and system
>>> integration has no started yet, it is my belief that OFBiz could be in
>>> the
>>> front runner position and create a name in the EU market space regarding
>>> Open Source ERP in general and Manufacturing in particular combined with
>>> info and data exchange through ESBs. Which is a huge opportunity for us.
>>>
>>> Thinking of the possibilites I foresee following use-cases (amongst
>>> others)
>>> to be applicable:
>>>
>>>   - When the initial registration of the company has been realized and
>>> the
>>>   connection mechanism regarding the ESB connectivity has been setup and
>>>   verified the information relating the Partner blueprint is provided by
>>>   means of the data available/maintained in the Party component
>>>   - When potential suppliers are identified through the search
>>>   capabilities in the portal the data contained there (Party data et all)
>>> is
>>>   pulled/delivered into the SCM (through the ESB)
>>>   - When potential customers are identified through the seach
>>> capabilities
>>>   in the portal the data contained thee is pulled/delivered into the CRM
>>>   (through the ESB)
>>>   - When potential suppliers are initially contacted and a connection is
>>>   being negotiated more data is pullled from and/or delivered to Product
>>>   Catalog and Manufacturing (through the ESB)
>>>   - When an agreement is concluded this is also pulled/delivered in the
>>>   system of the participant(s)
>>>   - When proces segments are started, executed and concluded information
>>>   (date) thereabout are pulled/delivered into the ERP system of the
>>> customer
>>>   (also through the ESB) and send to the portal for dashboarding
>>> purpopes.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately I am not that well experienced in Manufacturing,
>>> establishing
>>> ESB integration for OFBiz and delivering data from one system (like
>>> OFBiz)
>>> through a third party ESB to another system (like OFBiz) and thus I am
>>> wondering about possible difficulties regarding this.
>>>
>>> What do you think possible technical issues are given current state of
>>> OFBiz?
>>>
>>> I appreciate and value your thoughts/input on this.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Pierre
>>>
>>>
>> --
>> Sent from my mobile device
>>
>

[Pierre Smits]

Hi Adrian,

Is there a JIRA for this issue?

Regards,

Pierre

Op 11 april 2012 12:28 schreef <[hidden email]> het
volgende:

> I prefer to connect OFBiz to ESB via REST.
>
> Manufacturing works okay. I found a bug in the BOM that causes an out of
> memory error with large assemblies, but I haven't had time to fix it yet.
>
> -Adrian
>
> Quoting Pierre Smits <[hidden email]>:
>
>  Hi Jacques, all,
>>
>>
>> First of all: you are right. If there weren't a need for solution you
>> wouldn't go that way.
>>
>> But as it happens, within the consortium of the project there are partners
>> who have implemented ESB's (and for the sake of the argument let's pretend
>> that in the European market space every variant ESB is implemented) and
>> allow only to be connected through their ESB.
>>
>> And also the IMAGINE platform is expected to have an ESB as part of the
>> architecture, but that hasn't been formalized yet. So that may change.
>>
>> So what needs to be done so that OFBiz can connect to an ESB and that info
>> and data is delivered through that ESB to either the portal in the IMAGINE
>> platform or the partner with his system at the other end of the ESB?
>>
>> Secondly:
>> OFBiz is also a solution for manufacturing. We have the code in place. But
>> how good is it? Are there endusers who use that component and how?
>>
>> I have seen and read the book you referred to, and have worked to the code
>> to understand its principles. But like I said I don't have the experience
>> in implementing a manufacturing solution, so I don't know what it all
>> entails. That's why I invite everybody to share their insights.
>>
>> Regarding,
>>
>> Pierre
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Op 10 april 2012 23:39 schreef Jacques Le Roux <
>> [hidden email]
>>
>>> het volgende:
>>>
>>
>>  Just a word: it does not make sense to use an ESB like ServiceMix as long
>>> as it's not mandatory. In other words you may consider 1st using OFBiz as
>>> much as possible, and use only an ESB if you need to integrate with other
>>> systems. Even then sometimes using SOAP or XML-RPC would be easier
>>> depending of the openness of third systems. RMI is faster but beware of
>>> troubleshooting it on a net with a lot of firewalls...
>>>
>>> The beauty of OFBiz is that it comes already integrated. We know the ERP
>>> way (all integrated) has some drawbacks, but don't forget about drawbacks
>>> of other ways... OFBiz is not perfect but it works OOTB and can be
>>> "easily"
>>> enhanced... Some ESB projects have already proved to fail in the mid/long
>>> term...
>>>
>>> You might be interested by
>>> https://cwiki.apache.org/****confluence/display/OFBIZ/**<https://cwiki.apache.org/**confluence/display/OFBIZ/**>
>>> Manufacturing+Process+Stories+****and+Diagrams<https://cwiki.**
>>> apache.org/confluence/display/**OFBIZ/Manufacturing+Process+**
>>> Stories+and+Diagrams<https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBIZ/Manufacturing+Process+Stories+and+Diagrams>
>>> >
>>> https://cwiki.apache.org/****confluence/display/OFBADMIN/**<https://cwiki.apache.org/**confluence/display/OFBADMIN/**>
>>> OFBiz+Related+Books#****OFBizRelatedBooks-<https://**
>>> cwiki.apache.org/confluence/**display/OFBADMIN/OFBiz+**Related+Books#**
>>> OFBizRelatedBooks-<https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBADMIN/OFBiz+Related+Books#OFBizRelatedBooks->
>>> >
>>> "****GettingStartedwithApacheOFBizM****anufacturing&**
>>> MRPin5EasySteps"(**
>>> Release09.04andabove)
>>> https://cwiki.apache.org/****confluence/display/OFBREQDES/****<https://cwiki.apache.org/**confluence/display/OFBREQDES/**>
>>> UBPL+Introduction<https://**cwiki.apache.org/confluence/**
>>> display/OFBREQDES/UBPL+**Introduction<https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBREQDES/UBPL+Introduction>
>>> >
>>> https://cwiki.apache.org/****confluence/display/OFBREQDES/****<https://cwiki.apache.org/**confluence/display/OFBREQDES/**>
>>> Universal+Business+Process+****Library+Index<https://cwiki.**
>>> apache.org/confluence/display/**OFBREQDES/Universal+Business+**
>>> Process+Library+Index<https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBREQDES/Universal+Business+Process+Library+Index>
>>> >
>>>
>>>
>>> But this topic is more for the user list...
>>>
>>> Jacques
>>>
>>> From: "Integrin" <[hidden email]>
>>>
>>>  Pierre -
>>>
>>>>
>>>> While I do not claim to be an expert in Manufacturing, I'm helping
>>>> customize Ofbiz for a Food Sevices Industry in a Franchise Model where
>>>> Ofbiz Manufacturing be the food kitchen; Additionally the following
>>>> modules, being used
>>>> - MyPortal  : Dashboard
>>>> - Order Manager: Purchase , Sales Orders, Transfer Orders
>>>> - Party Manager : Suppliers, Users & Customers
>>>> - SFA : Sales Forecast
>>>> - Facility : Inventory & Shipping
>>>> -Manufacturing: MRP in Manufacturing, very handy for automating
>>>> Requirements management
>>>>
>>>> As far as ESB integration goes, Ofbiz being based on Service based
>>>> Architecture, should come very handy; I'm guessing you will have some
>>>> work to do to be able to make individual modules, loosely coupled
>>>> using ESB
>>>>
>>>> Goodluck with your efforts!
>>>>
>>>> - Regards
>>>> Sakthi
>>>>
>>>> On 4/10/12, Pierre Smits <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>  Dear all,
>>>>>
>>>>> Currently I am participating in the collaboration project "IMAGINE -
>>>>> Innovative End-to-End Management of Dynamic Manufacturing Networks",
>>>>> that
>>>>> resides under the theme  "Virtual Factories and Enterprises" as part of
>>>>> the
>>>>> FP7 Programme of the EU.
>>>>>
>>>>> The goal of this project is to enable SME Manufacturing Enterprises in
>>>>> the
>>>>> EU market space to shorten the time-to-market of their product by
>>>>> assisting
>>>>> manufacturing customers in forming partnerships with suppliers and a
>>>>> better
>>>>> exchange of information and data throughout the lifecycle of the
>>>>> partnership.
>>>>>
>>>>> During methodology studies it is envisioned that exchange of
>>>>> information
>>>>> and data entails 4 interlocking areas, namely:
>>>>>
>>>>>  1. Partner blueprints - All static information (and data) re
>>>>>  organization and human entities, including connection mechanisms
>>>>> (addresses
>>>>>  and such) of the participating organization
>>>>>  2. Manufacture blueprints - All static information (and data) re
>>>>>  products (e.g. pricing, QoS re delivery, mBOM's, eBOM's and such)
>>>>>  3. End-2-End blueprints - All dynamic information (and data) re inputs
>>>>>  and output of the process segments, in customer to supplier end-2-end
>>>>>  processes while manufacturing the goods (but also including process
>>>>>  definitions in BPEL, BPMN and xPDL)
>>>>>  4. QA blueprints - All information (and data) relating to maintaining
>>>>>  the QoS requirements of the organization and establishing/enhancing
>>>>> trust
>>>>>  between (potential) partners (encompassing org. certification, e.g.
>>>>> ISO
>>>>>  9000, but also product certification, and more)
>>>>>
>>>>> All to be facilitated through established Open Standards and
>>>>> Technolgies.
>>>>>
>>>>> In the methodology studies it was also envisioned that, while initial
>>>>> profiling should start by registering company and lead contact persons
>>>>> and
>>>>> their mechanisms in a portal solution (currently intended OS product:
>>>>> Liferay, part of the envisioned IMAGINE platform), as soon as the
>>>>> connection mechanisms regarding service adapters are setup and verified
>>>>> systems like CRM, Manufacturing, ProjectMgt and Warehousing connect
>>>>> through
>>>>> the IMAGINE platform (mainly OS ESB like Servicemix - while providing
>>>>> dashboard functionalities in the portal for participants that are not
>>>>> (yet)
>>>>> at the highest level of maturity regarding partnering - e.g. uploading
>>>>> data
>>>>> through spreadsheets and info via PDF and such).
>>>>>
>>>>> As this project still has a lifespan of approx 2 years left and system
>>>>> integration has no started yet, it is my belief that OFBiz could be in
>>>>> the
>>>>> front runner position and create a name in the EU market space
>>>>> regarding
>>>>> Open Source ERP in general and Manufacturing in particular combined
>>>>> with
>>>>> info and data exchange through ESBs. Which is a huge opportunity for
>>>>> us.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thinking of the possibilites I foresee following use-cases (amongst
>>>>> others)
>>>>> to be applicable:
>>>>>
>>>>>  - When the initial registration of the company has been realized and
>>>>> the
>>>>>  connection mechanism regarding the ESB connectivity has been setup and
>>>>>  verified the information relating the Partner blueprint is provided by
>>>>>  means of the data available/maintained in the Party component
>>>>>  - When potential suppliers are identified through the search
>>>>>  capabilities in the portal the data contained there (Party data et
>>>>> all)
>>>>> is
>>>>>  pulled/delivered into the SCM (through the ESB)
>>>>>  - When potential customers are identified through the seach
>>>>> capabilities
>>>>>  in the portal the data contained thee is pulled/delivered into the CRM
>>>>>  (through the ESB)
>>>>>  - When potential suppliers are initially contacted and a connection is
>>>>>  being negotiated more data is pullled from and/or delivered to Product
>>>>>  Catalog and Manufacturing (through the ESB)
>>>>>  - When an agreement is concluded this is also pulled/delivered in the
>>>>>  system of the participant(s)
>>>>>  - When proces segments are started, executed and concluded information
>>>>>  (date) thereabout are pulled/delivered into the ERP system of the
>>>>> customer
>>>>>  (also through the ESB) and send to the portal for dashboarding
>>>>> purpopes.
>>>>>
>>>>> Unfortunately I am not that well experienced in Manufacturing,
>>>>> establishing
>>>>> ESB integration for OFBiz and delivering data from one system (like
>>>>> OFBiz)
>>>>> through a third party ESB to another system (like OFBiz) and thus I am
>>>>> wondering about possible difficulties regarding this.
>>>>>
>>>>> What do you think possible technical issues are given current state of
>>>>> OFBiz?
>>>>>
>>>>> I appreciate and value your thoughts/input on this.
>>>>>
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>
>>>>> Pierre
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>  --
>>>> Sent from my mobile device
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
>

[Jean-Luc Malet]

Pierre,

I agree with Jacques on this point. ESB could be a difficult solution to
install and to maintain with different third system. I think the SOAP
and XML-RPC, that we already installed for our customers is a good way
to do.

For the other question, we have customers experiences on manufacturing
system and we have a good knowledge and expertise about manufacturing in
general (most of them begun with BaaN ERP, in a manufacturing compagny)
and also a good knowledge on the OFBiz manufacturing functionnalities.
We intalled one of our first customer, which was a manufacturing
company, in 2006. And last week, we installed another one which is a
food manufacturing company.

So don't hesitate to contact us if we can help and explain us how we
could help you in this project.

Regards,

--
Jean-Luc Malet
Directeur de Projet
Tel : [phone]
Mob : [phone]

Société Néréide
3b Les Isles 37270 Veretz
www.nereide.biz



Le 10/04/2012 23:39, Jacques Le Roux a écrit :

> Just a word: it does not make sense to use an ESB like ServiceMix as
> long as it's not mandatory. In other words you may consider 1st using
> OFBiz as much as possible, and use only an ESB if you need to
> integrate with other systems. Even then sometimes using SOAP or
> XML-RPC would be easier depending of the openness of third systems.
> RMI is faster but beware of troubleshooting it on a net with a lot of
> firewalls...
>
> The beauty of OFBiz is that it comes already integrated. We know the
> ERP way (all integrated) has some drawbacks, but don't forget about
> drawbacks of other ways... OFBiz is not perfect but it works OOTB and
> can be "easily" enhanced... Some ESB projects have already proved to
> fail in the mid/long term...
>
> You might be interested by
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBIZ/Manufacturing+Process+Stories+and+Diagrams 
>
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBADMIN/OFBiz+Related+Books#OFBizRelatedBooks-"GettingStartedwithApacheOFBizManufacturing&MRPin5EasySteps"(Release09.04andabove)
>
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBREQDES/UBPL+Introduction
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBREQDES/Universal+Business+Process+Library+Index 
>
>
> But this topic is more for the user list...
>
> Jacques
>
> From: "Integrin" <[hidden email]>
>> Pierre -
>>
>> While I do not claim to be an expert in Manufacturing, I'm helping
>> customize Ofbiz for a Food Sevices Industry in a Franchise Model where
>> Ofbiz Manufacturing be the food kitchen; Additionally the following
>> modules, being used
>> - MyPortal  : Dashboard
>> - Order Manager: Purchase , Sales Orders, Transfer Orders
>> - Party Manager : Suppliers, Users & Customers
>> - SFA : Sales Forecast
>> - Facility : Inventory & Shipping
>> -Manufacturing: MRP in Manufacturing, very handy for automating
>> Requirements management
>>
>> As far as ESB integration goes, Ofbiz being based on Service based
>> Architecture, should come very handy; I'm guessing you will have some
>> work to do to be able to make individual modules, loosely coupled
>> using ESB
>>
>> Goodluck with your efforts!
>>
>> - Regards
>> Sakthi
>>
>> On 4/10/12, Pierre Smits <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>> Dear all,
>>>
>>> Currently I am participating in the collaboration project "IMAGINE -
>>> Innovative End-to-End Management of Dynamic Manufacturing Networks",
>>> that
>>> resides under the theme  "Virtual Factories and Enterprises" as part
>>> of the
>>> FP7 Programme of the EU.
>>>
>>> The goal of this project is to enable SME Manufacturing Enterprises
>>> in the
>>> EU market space to shorten the time-to-market of their product by
>>> assisting
>>> manufacturing customers in forming partnerships with suppliers and a
>>> better
>>> exchange of information and data throughout the lifecycle of the
>>> partnership.
>>>
>>> During methodology studies it is envisioned that exchange of
>>> information
>>> and data entails 4 interlocking areas, namely:
>>>
>>>    1. Partner blueprints - All static information (and data) re
>>>    organization and human entities, including connection mechanisms
>>> (addresses
>>>    and such) of the participating organization
>>>    2. Manufacture blueprints - All static information (and data) re
>>>    products (e.g. pricing, QoS re delivery, mBOM's, eBOM's and such)
>>>    3. End-2-End blueprints - All dynamic information (and data) re
>>> inputs
>>>    and output of the process segments, in customer to supplier
>>> end-2-end
>>>    processes while manufacturing the goods (but also including process
>>>    definitions in BPEL, BPMN and xPDL)
>>>    4. QA blueprints - All information (and data) relating to
>>> maintaining
>>>    the QoS requirements of the organization and
>>> establishing/enhancing trust
>>>    between (potential) partners (encompassing org. certification,
>>> e.g. ISO
>>>    9000, but also product certification, and more)
>>>
>>> All to be facilitated through established Open Standards and
>>> Technolgies.
>>>
>>> In the methodology studies it was also envisioned that, while initial
>>> profiling should start by registering company and lead contact
>>> persons and
>>> their mechanisms in a portal solution (currently intended OS product:
>>> Liferay, part of the envisioned IMAGINE platform), as soon as the
>>> connection mechanisms regarding service adapters are setup and verified
>>> systems like CRM, Manufacturing, ProjectMgt and Warehousing connect
>>> through
>>> the IMAGINE platform (mainly OS ESB like Servicemix - while providing
>>> dashboard functionalities in the portal for participants that are
>>> not (yet)
>>> at the highest level of maturity regarding partnering - e.g.
>>> uploading data
>>> through spreadsheets and info via PDF and such).
>>>
>>> As this project still has a lifespan of approx 2 years left and system
>>> integration has no started yet, it is my belief that OFBiz could be
>>> in the
>>> front runner position and create a name in the EU market space
>>> regarding
>>> Open Source ERP in general and Manufacturing in particular combined
>>> with
>>> info and data exchange through ESBs. Which is a huge opportunity for
>>> us.
>>>
>>> Thinking of the possibilites I foresee following use-cases (amongst
>>> others)
>>> to be applicable:
>>>
>>>    - When the initial registration of the company has been realized
>>> and the
>>>    connection mechanism regarding the ESB connectivity has been
>>> setup and
>>>    verified the information relating the Partner blueprint is
>>> provided by
>>>    means of the data available/maintained in the Party component
>>>    - When potential suppliers are identified through the search
>>>    capabilities in the portal the data contained there (Party data
>>> et all)
>>> is
>>>    pulled/delivered into the SCM (through the ESB)
>>>    - When potential customers are identified through the seach
>>> capabilities
>>>    in the portal the data contained thee is pulled/delivered into
>>> the CRM
>>>    (through the ESB)
>>>    - When potential suppliers are initially contacted and a
>>> connection is
>>>    being negotiated more data is pullled from and/or delivered to
>>> Product
>>>    Catalog and Manufacturing (through the ESB)
>>>    - When an agreement is concluded this is also pulled/delivered in
>>> the
>>>    system of the participant(s)
>>>    - When proces segments are started, executed and concluded
>>> information
>>>    (date) thereabout are pulled/delivered into the ERP system of the
>>> customer
>>>    (also through the ESB) and send to the portal for dashboarding
>>> purpopes.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately I am not that well experienced in Manufacturing,
>>> establishing
>>> ESB integration for OFBiz and delivering data from one system (like
>>> OFBiz)
>>> through a third party ESB to another system (like OFBiz) and thus I am
>>> wondering about possible difficulties regarding this.
>>>
>>> What do you think possible technical issues are given current state of
>>> OFBiz?
>>>
>>> I appreciate and value your thoughts/input on this.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Pierre
>>>
>>
>> --
>> Sent from my mobile device
>

[Jacques Le Roux]

Hi Jean-Luc, Pierre,

Just if you did not notice, thanks to Adrian, this discussion is now on user ML (does not belong me)
Please use the new thread there: http://markmail.org/message/gnn5ardilphvu5e7

Jacques

From: "Jean-Luc Malet" <[hidden email]>

> Pierre,
>
> I agree with Jacques on this point. ESB could be a difficult solution to install and to maintain with different third system. I
> think the SOAP and XML-RPC, that we already installed for our customers is a good way to do.
>
> For the other question, we have customers experiences on manufacturing system and we have a good knowledge and expertise about
> manufacturing in general (most of them begun with BaaN ERP, in a manufacturing compagny) and also a good knowledge on the OFBiz
> manufacturing functionnalities. We intalled one of our first customer, which was a manufacturing company, in 2006. And last week,
> we installed another one which is a food manufacturing company.
>
> So don't hesitate to contact us if we can help and explain us how we could help you in this project.
>
> Regards,
>
> --
> Jean-Luc Malet
> Directeur de Projet
> Tel : [phone]
> Mob : [phone]
>
> Société Néréide
> 3b Les Isles 37270 Veretz
> www.nereide.biz
>
>
>
> Le 10/04/2012 23:39, Jacques Le Roux a écrit :
>> Just a word: it does not make sense to use an ESB like ServiceMix as long as it's not mandatory. In other words you may consider
>> 1st using OFBiz as much as possible, and use only an ESB if you need to integrate with other systems. Even then sometimes using
>> SOAP or XML-RPC would be easier depending of the openness of third systems. RMI is faster but beware of troubleshooting it on a
>> net with a lot of firewalls...
>>
>> The beauty of OFBiz is that it comes already integrated. We know the ERP way (all integrated) has some drawbacks, but don't
>> forget about drawbacks of other ways... OFBiz is not perfect but it works OOTB and can be "easily" enhanced... Some ESB projects
>> have already proved to fail in the mid/long term...
>>
>> You might be interested by
>> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBIZ/Manufacturing+Process+Stories+and+Diagrams
>> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBADMIN/OFBiz+Related+Books#OFBizRelatedBooks-"GettingStartedwithApacheOFBizManufacturing&MRPin5EasySteps"(Release09.04andabove)
>> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBREQDES/UBPL+Introduction
>> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/OFBREQDES/Universal+Business+Process+Library+Index
>>
>> But this topic is more for the user list...
>>
>> Jacques
>>
>> From: "Integrin" <[hidden email]>
>>> Pierre -
>>>
>>> While I do not claim to be an expert in Manufacturing, I'm helping
>>> customize Ofbiz for a Food Sevices Industry in a Franchise Model where
>>> Ofbiz Manufacturing be the food kitchen; Additionally the following
>>> modules, being used
>>> - MyPortal  : Dashboard
>>> - Order Manager: Purchase , Sales Orders, Transfer Orders
>>> - Party Manager : Suppliers, Users & Customers
>>> - SFA : Sales Forecast
>>> - Facility : Inventory & Shipping
>>> -Manufacturing: MRP in Manufacturing, very handy for automating
>>> Requirements management
>>>
>>> As far as ESB integration goes, Ofbiz being based on Service based
>>> Architecture, should come very handy; I'm guessing you will have some
>>> work to do to be able to make individual modules, loosely coupled
>>> using ESB
>>>
>>> Goodluck with your efforts!
>>>
>>> - Regards
>>> Sakthi
>>>
>>> On 4/10/12, Pierre Smits <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>> Dear all,
>>>>
>>>> Currently I am participating in the collaboration project "IMAGINE -
>>>> Innovative End-to-End Management of Dynamic Manufacturing Networks", that
>>>> resides under the theme  "Virtual Factories and Enterprises" as part of the
>>>> FP7 Programme of the EU.
>>>>
>>>> The goal of this project is to enable SME Manufacturing Enterprises in the
>>>> EU market space to shorten the time-to-market of their product by assisting
>>>> manufacturing customers in forming partnerships with suppliers and a better
>>>> exchange of information and data throughout the lifecycle of the
>>>> partnership.
>>>>
>>>> During methodology studies it is envisioned that exchange of information
>>>> and data entails 4 interlocking areas, namely:
>>>>
>>>>    1. Partner blueprints - All static information (and data) re
>>>>    organization and human entities, including connection mechanisms
>>>> (addresses
>>>>    and such) of the participating organization
>>>>    2. Manufacture blueprints - All static information (and data) re
>>>>    products (e.g. pricing, QoS re delivery, mBOM's, eBOM's and such)
>>>>    3. End-2-End blueprints - All dynamic information (and data) re inputs
>>>>    and output of the process segments, in customer to supplier end-2-end
>>>>    processes while manufacturing the goods (but also including process
>>>>    definitions in BPEL, BPMN and xPDL)
>>>>    4. QA blueprints - All information (and data) relating to maintaining
>>>>    the QoS requirements of the organization and establishing/enhancing trust
>>>>    between (potential) partners (encompassing org. certification, e.g. ISO
>>>>    9000, but also product certification, and more)
>>>>
>>>> All to be facilitated through established Open Standards and Technolgies.
>>>>
>>>> In the methodology studies it was also envisioned that, while initial
>>>> profiling should start by registering company and lead contact persons and
>>>> their mechanisms in a portal solution (currently intended OS product:
>>>> Liferay, part of the envisioned IMAGINE platform), as soon as the
>>>> connection mechanisms regarding service adapters are setup and verified
>>>> systems like CRM, Manufacturing, ProjectMgt and Warehousing connect through
>>>> the IMAGINE platform (mainly OS ESB like Servicemix - while providing
>>>> dashboard functionalities in the portal for participants that are not (yet)
>>>> at the highest level of maturity regarding partnering - e.g. uploading data
>>>> through spreadsheets and info via PDF and such).
>>>>
>>>> As this project still has a lifespan of approx 2 years left and system
>>>> integration has no started yet, it is my belief that OFBiz could be in the
>>>> front runner position and create a name in the EU market space regarding
>>>> Open Source ERP in general and Manufacturing in particular combined with
>>>> info and data exchange through ESBs. Which is a huge opportunity for us.
>>>>
>>>> Thinking of the possibilites I foresee following use-cases (amongst others)
>>>> to be applicable:
>>>>
>>>>    - When the initial registration of the company has been realized and the
>>>>    connection mechanism regarding the ESB connectivity has been setup and
>>>>    verified the information relating the Partner blueprint is provided by
>>>>    means of the data available/maintained in the Party component
>>>>    - When potential suppliers are identified through the search
>>>>    capabilities in the portal the data contained there (Party data et all)
>>>> is
>>>>    pulled/delivered into the SCM (through the ESB)
>>>>    - When potential customers are identified through the seach capabilities
>>>>    in the portal the data contained thee is pulled/delivered into the CRM
>>>>    (through the ESB)
>>>>    - When potential suppliers are initially contacted and a connection is
>>>>    being negotiated more data is pullled from and/or delivered to Product
>>>>    Catalog and Manufacturing (through the ESB)
>>>>    - When an agreement is concluded this is also pulled/delivered in the
>>>>    system of the participant(s)
>>>>    - When proces segments are started, executed and concluded information
>>>>    (date) thereabout are pulled/delivered into the ERP system of the
>>>> customer
>>>>    (also through the ESB) and send to the portal for dashboarding purpopes.
>>>>
>>>> Unfortunately I am not that well experienced in Manufacturing, establishing
>>>> ESB integration for OFBiz and delivering data from one system (like OFBiz)
>>>> through a third party ESB to another system (like OFBiz) and thus I am
>>>> wondering about possible difficulties regarding this.
>>>>
>>>> What do you think possible technical issues are given current state of
>>>> OFBiz?
>>>>
>>>> I appreciate and value your thoughts/input on this.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>>
>>>> Pierre
>>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Sent from my mobile device
>>
>
>