Discover PSImetals Release 5.24!

 

Discover the new features of PSImetals Framework!

The new framework functions in 5.24 include among others Data Model Extension Mechanism, PSIbus Configurability and QML Consistency Check.

  • Data Model Extension Mechanism – Enhancing the Solution Scope

     

    Extension Mechanism allows  system integrators to enhance the scope of a solution as per their needs. 5.24 offers support for static data model extensions and dynamic data model extensions.


    At a glance:

    • Static extension mechanism: enables users to extend new attributes and behaviours to the existing entity. Static extensions are implemented by programming and require recompilation and re-deployment.
    • Dynamic extension mechanism: enables the system users to extend or over-ride behaviors. Dynamic extension as the name suggests, allows the system modification without programming and re-deployment needed.
    • The general recommendation is to go with Static extensions unless there is  a compelling need to use Dynamic extensions. 
  • PSIbus Configurability – Extending PSIbus Inbox/Outbox With Configuration Possibilities

     

    PSIbus enables communication between different applications and all applications based on SP include an additional buffering mechanism between PSIbus and the receiving application called transactional inbox/outbox. In 5.24 PSIbus Inbox/Outbox are extended with configuration possibilities.


    At a glance:

    • Retry on failure and Keep in sequence are configured per topic and not at global level
    • Default value for Retry on failure will always be true for inbox and false for outbox
    • Default value for keep in sequence will always be true
    • Registering a callback for error handling incase of an event failure
  • QML Consistency Check – Identifying Inconsistencies

     

    QML queries, which are part of the UI Component depend on the DPML model, which is part of the business component. A change in DPML could invalidate the corresponding QML queries. With 5.24, SP developers are able to add an automated test that will check the QML queries provided by the UI part of the component against the DPML. This will allow system users/developers to fix the invalid queries in compile time and prevent run-time errors in the UI. 


    At a glance:

    • System users/developers can fix the invalid queries in compile time and prevent run-time errors in the UI
    • QML checks not only help identify inconsistencies but also save huge amount of time by doing so in compile time
  • Security Enhancements – Committed to IT Security

     

    One of the main strategies to propagate the security state involves the use of security tokens. PSIauth uses a basic authentication mechanism that provides a token that has to be valid when calling a REST endpoint from the outside. PSIgui enables users to encrypt the database connection using globally accepted encryption algorithms (RSA, AES). The keys can also be stored & encrypted in PSIauth for further security.


    At a glance:

    • To prevent unauthorized access to the PSIbus commands, the REST endpoints are secured with PSIauth
    • Choice between AES & RSA encryption algorithms to encrypt database connections
    • DB login configuration by backend services, default user logins for administration tools like portainer, traefik, grafana etc. can be encrypted
  • Introducing Autotest in SP – Executing Automated Test Cases

     

    In 5.24, AutoTest provides built-in capability to integrate with SP applications and execute automated test cases. 


    At a glance:

    • Ability to connect to Service Platform and full support for Docker interaction
    • Users can capture events generated by SP applications
    • Users have the ability to fire events to SP applications
    • Possibility to call SP commands and health check on SP applications via Autotest
    • Ability to generate Envelops in AutoTest and supporting users to create tests SP applications
  • Intensified Container Resilience – Withstanding any Adverse Events and Conditions

     

    With Release 5.24, PSImetals Service Platform becomes more fault-tolerant and supports a seamless upgrades approach. With intensified container resilience, SP based applications are able to respond and gracefully recover from any adverse events such as partial network failures, disruption over communication, failure of an application etc. 

     

    At a glance:

    • SP Applications packaged as Docker Containers are able to restart safely without errors
    • SP Applications are able to recover from failures of PSIbus 
    • SP applications are not affected if any other part of the system becomes unavailable due to any reason
    • SP services are able to reconnect if connection fails in first attempt due to latency or any underlying issues
  • Enhanced Application Logging & Monitoring

     

    Being able to monitor the PSImetals SP is a key factor in the operation of the system and determines if the system is healthy and working as expected. Although SP is a distributed system there has to be a single place for operators to monitor the system. With 5.24 it is now possible to monitor and even interact with the messages sent and received via the PSIbus by utilizing the well known Tlg viewer.


    At a glance:

    • PSImetals Service Platform CLI is offered as a command line tool to manage and administrate the SP
    • The possibility to create Dashboards based on metrics and set threshold based alerts are also available in Service Platform based application Grafana
  • Further Technological Advancements

     

    Further technological advancements are now available to PSImetals users. 

     

    At a glance:

    • PSIweb UI uses Ngnix instead of wildfly to save 85% of the start up time and 90% of the memory, which has a great impact on projects, which have more applications on SP, in the long run
    • Migration to Angular 12 in PSIweb 
    • PSImetals SP services are deployable and runnable with Kubernetes

 

Discover the new features of PSImetals Planning!

The new planning functions in 5.24 include among others functional improvements in PSImetals Demand Manager SP, multi-format billet casting support and planning optimization with PSImetals Casthouse Scheduler.

  • PSImetals Demand Manager SP – Functional Improvements

     

    Improved functionality in PSImetals Demand Manager is now available supporting the management of demands. 


    At a glance:

    • Demand Import from file: Drag & drop import of multiple demand items at once, via an xlsx file template
    • Split Demand Item: Demand items can be split in two, after confirmation, with distributed quantities and quoted capacity. This facilitates linking the original inquiry quantity to multiple incoming sales orders.
    • Demand Update Process: Demand confirmation process can be based on updated fields, e.g. only re-check DDQ (due date change), or re-elaborate full order (dimension change)
  • Order & Line Scheduling with PSImetals – Integration Improvements

     

    A new web service based integration mechanism supports bi-directional data exchange between Order Scheduler and Line Scheduler without the need anymore to close the Line Scheduler client. Furthermore, it is now possible to stat multiple scheduling clients in parallel

     

    At a glance:

     

    • Continue working in PSImetals Order Scheduler while one or more Line Scheduler clients are open
    • Considerable gain of time, avoiding multiple opening and closing of client sessions
    • Referesh data / release sequences to Order Scheduler and the Factory Model without leaving Line Scheduler
    • Start multiple Line Scheduler instances in parallel for different lines
  • PSImetals Caster Scheduler – Multi-Format Billet Casting Support

     

    It is not always optimal to create separate casting programmes for separate dimensions, especially when the order book has significant diversity of grades and formats that make it complex to build up heats and tundishes with single billet dimensions. The combination of different formats in the same casting program extends the room for optimization. PSImetals Caster Scheduler is now supporting multi-dimensional casting on the different strands of a same caster.

     

    At a glance:

     

    • Configure mould types/dimensions supported on each casting strand
    • Separate tabs for each strand in the ladle/strand editor with each tab only displaying the billet PO candidates corresponding to that strand‘s dimension
    • Support of different cutting plans per strand
    • Display of different strands widths in the schedule graph view
  • PSImetals Master Planner – Flow and Order Planning

     

    PSImetals Release 5.24 offeres several improvements in the field of Flow and Oder Planning. These include assembly operations support, performance improvement for large datasets and PO-step based campaigns UI improvements.


    At a glance:

    • Enhanced planning support for assembly operations for pipe and plate producers
    • Master Planner can now work more efficiently and perform quicker with large amounts of data due to the improved algorithm of data initialization, including code refactoring, modified data structure and eliminated intermediate computations
    • Several UI improvements such as easier definition of campaign types based on PO groups at given production steps, display of PO-step based campaigns in Gantt chart and PO-step based campaigns in completion view
  • Planning Repository Management - Performance enhancements and support of matching rules for Coil Combination

     

    Thanks to an enhanced data loading mechanism projects can benefit from 5 to 6 times faster matching rules check, material allocation and reservation processes. Additionally, Order-to-order and order-to-material matching rules in the Planning Repository Management GUI are now also supported as an input to Coil Combiner, eliminating the need to maintain DLL (Dynamic Link Library) coding or configuration file syntax.

     

    At a glance:

     

    • Enhanced data loading with Direct Access Containers
    • 5 to 6 times faster matching rules check, material allocation and reservation processes
    • Codeless definition and maintenance of matching rules and centralized matching rules definition for all material planning processes 
  • Aluminium Casthouses Planning Optimization With PSImetals Casthouse Scheduler

     

    From raw materials supply down to billet sawing and homogenization, PSImetals Casthouse Scheduler optimizes production schedules across all lines and resources. The tool helps to find the optimal trade-off between on-time demand completion and campaign grouping, and resolves bottlenecks while respecting different scheduling constraints.


    At a glance:

    • On-time & reliable deliveries 
    • End-to-end optimization
    • Real-time & collaborative monitoring
    • Simulation scenarios
    • Fast reactivity to unplanned events 

 

Discover the new features of PSImetals Quality!

The new quality functions in 5.24 include among others several enhancements in Order Dressing, the feature "Process Inspection" and  SP-based Quality Indicators.

  • Order Dressing Enhancements

     

    PSImetals Release 5.24 offers several Order Dressing enhancements including new dynamic Production Order Variants, PO Variants for auxiliary parts and further functional improvements.

     

    At a glance:

    • Dynamic PO Variants are generated based on the results of the Material Transformation calculations, allowing to consider different intermediate materials and to derive and select alternatives routes
    • For products consisting of main and auxiliary parts, the Technical Elaboration for the auxiliary part is carried out after that for the main part, enabling a perfect match of main parts production and auxiliary parts production
    • Cross validation of ERP’s and OD’s production route
    • Assignment of chemical composition after determination of test requirements
    • Custom message of type INFO
  • Process Inspection

     

    Introduced with release 5.24, "Process Inspection" enables data collection for tests or inspections related to the production process but not to single materials.


    At a glance:

    • Easy configuration via Test Catalogue with dedicated Instruction Type 
    • Collection of test results is line-specific, via Office GUI or PDA; target ranges are configurable via dedicated Inspection Plan
    • Configurable for visualization in PAM charts and monitoring via Statistical Process Control
    • Ideal for fluid analysis and environmental data
  • SP-Based Quality Indicators

     

    The functions of defining QI (Process Specification) and collecting process data and calculating QI for each material unit (Quality Process Snapshot) are now available for the Service Platform (SP). In SP, Quality is us-ing the new, Java-based rule engine Drools. Information exchange and synchronization within PSImetals Pro-duction & Quality is executed via PSIbus.


    At a glance:

    • Web Interface embedded into PSImetals Office GUI, but also accessible via internet browser
    • Ready for external services according to the concept of “Algorithm as a Service” (AaaS), e.g. AI/ML services for calculating Quality Indicators
    • Agile installation and non-disruptive upgrades, also for single specific plant areas
    • Distributed installation: SP-based Quality services available and operational as „standalone“, i.e. also when Production services are not available

 

Discover the new features of PSImetals Production!

The new production functions in 5.24 include among others Online Heat Scheduling SP based on Qualicision/AI, Material Reservations and Shift Log.

  • PSImetals Online Heat Scheduling SP based on PSIasm/Qualicision

     

    The Online Heat Scheduler generates and optimizes the detailed work schedule for all planned heats in the steel plant. It schedules all treatment and transport steps, assigns production lines and operating equipment, as well as forecasts required resource demands (like electrical energy and hot metal). OHS ensures the seamless delivery of heats and sequences to the caster, while balancing KPIs. The ideal scheduling tool to manage the operation complexity of Hybrid Steelplants. 

     

    At a glance:

     

    • The SP enables „standalone” installation independent from Oracle and base4ora via PSIbus interface
    • The new Gantt supports configuration of “Secondary Resources“ and enabling of Demand Forecasts
    • The Qualicision/AI solver supports KPI-driven optimization/balancing/visualization, consideration of resource limitations
  • Material Reservation

     

    Material planning & scheduling needs to know which POs can be covered by existing or expected material. However, billets and bars are typically managed as bulk materials in the yard. Allocating materials to POs often requires virtual bulk splits, resulting in a complex split and merge logic for material movements. PSImetals Re-lease 5.24 introduces a function to solve these problems: Material Reservation. 


    At a glance:

    • Material Reservation function is based on configurable reservation units and checks, for each PO, if its open demand can be covered by suitable reservation units
    • The available volume of Reservation units is netted accordingly
    • Multi-step and interactive or automated per production stage/decoupling stock point
    • Compliance with configurable allocation rules
    • Reservation results stored per stage and made available to all PSImetals components
  • Integration Enhancements

     

    PSImetals Release 5.24 offers some enhancements in the field of integration such as telegrams in ERP SIBB that facilitate campaign synchronization with ERP and telegrams that orchestrate the Technical Elaboration of EPR Production Orders by Order Dressing.

     

    At a glance:

    • ERP campaign data receipt synchronizes campaign identifications and times between ERP and PSImet-als Planning components, delivering information about campaign ID, resource (line) and the start/finish dates
    • Changes by PSImetals Planning in the assignment of PO steps to campaigns (i.e. adding/moving/deleting POs to/from campaigns) are synchronized back to ERP
    • ERP SIBB can now orchestrate, through configuration, the usage of Order Dressing’s Knowledge Base and Technical Elaboration in order to enhance ERP POs
  • Shift Log

     

    Introduced in PSImetals 5.24, Shift Log is a lean tool for shop floor communication.


    At a glance:

    • Creation of shift-based Remarks by shop floor operators of all production lines 
    • Assignment of Task referred to Remarks 
    • Addition of Information shared with other shifts
    • Immediate visualization of Tasks and Information by selection of the Remark
    • Lean user interface: Editable texts, logical cancellation & status change by click
    • Alternative views via filtering
    • Evaluable database

 

Discover the new features of PSImetals Logistics!

New Logistics function in 5.24: Crane Terminal „lite“ Mobile App.

  • Mobile UI – Crane Terminal “Lite” Mobile App

     

    A list-based, “lite” version of the Crane Terminal App is now available in PSImetals 5.24 for best usage on small mobile devices.


    At a glance:

    • -        List view instead of graphical view for smaller screens (e.g. smartphones, tablets)

    • Faster screen build-up in case of weak WiFi connection
    • All Crane Terminal features available (Orders list, load lifting and releasing, lock target yard)
    • PSIweb: No software installation needed, works on any hardware, browser and OS

Take a look at the PSImetals Release 5.24 - Towards New Horizons.

PSImetals Release 5.24 Highlights Webinar

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PSImetals Release 5.24 Beschreibung

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