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A well-implemented MES requires tight integration with process and metrology tools, vertical integration with supply chain applications, logic to control material movement, prevent scrap, and be the system of record for everything that happens on the factory floor. CIMAC has deep and broad knowledge of multiple commercial MES software systems. In addition, we have developed, integrated, and deployed many complimentary applications like equipment interfaces, advanced process control and recipe managers. CIMAC engineers are experts in all phases of implementing complete factory control solutions and providing for full manufacturing intelligence.<\/P>\n

MES Assessments<\/A><\/H3>\n

Today a well implemented semiconductor MES requires tighter integration with process and metrology equipment, material handling equipment, SPC\/APC, scheduling and dispatching, engineering data collection, recipe control, and enterprise supply chain applications like ERP. In some cases, the MES data spans multiple production facilities or companies. Choosing the right MES and understanding how to model and integrate it into your current and future needs is critical to being competitive in today’s market.<\/P>\n

CIMAC offers a service program that enables semiconductor manufacturers to identify manufacturing inefficiencies and suggests strategic solutions to alleviate those problem areas. Senior CIMAC MES specialists will conduct a 3 day workshop that analyzes your current workflows and manufacturing applications, in order to provide a complete picture of your current manufacturing operations. Working in conjunction with your internal management, they will identify improvement opportunities, analyze potential technology investments, and provide recommendations. <\/P>\n

Requirement Analysis<\/A><\/H3>\n

Communicating clear requirements is critical to software project success. Developing these requirements can be a complicated and difficult process, especially when a new or modified system might change the environment and relationships between people and organizations. CIMAC’s detailed knowledge of factory control solutions and their domain experience, allows them to develop comprehensive requirements specifications, including cross-functional requirements that are often missed because individual stakeholders are unaware of them.<\/P>\n

CIMAC develops requirements in four distinct phases. The initial step involves eliciting the known requirements by meeting with both users and management. The second phase involves analyzing those requirements to determine where they are incomplete, contradictory, or unclear and then resolving any issues. Next CIMAC documents the requirements in various forms, such as use cases, story boards, and process specifications. In addition, CIMAC documents and reviews the non-functional requirements such as performance, standards, design constraints, and support. Lastly, CIMAC reviews the completed documentation with all of the stakeholders, to ensure they understand the implications of the new system and that the new system meets the business needs.<\/P>\n

Software Vendor Analysis<\/A><\/H3>\n

The first step in implementing a successful factory control system implies selecting the right software applications. Relying of the software vendor to represent accurately their software or forcing it to fill a need it was not designed for, can easily result in a failed project or at best marginal benefits.<\/P>\n

CIMAC’s broad domain experience can help you develop a comprehensive RFP and evaluation criteria. Because CIMAC maintains a software and technology neutral position, that same experience can be invaluable when mapping a software vendor’s responses into the evaluation criteria. <\/P>\n

Implementation And Integration<\/A><\/H3>\n

The final step in any factory control project is the actual implementation, validation, and start-up. CIMAC can help you Implement and Integrate many well known brands of MES packages. Like every other step in the project, domain knowledge and experience are critical. Configuring the MES software requires extensive knowledge of the semiconductor manufacturing process, the user requirements and the MES software. Integrating various software applications with automated equipment requires a detailed knowledge of the equipment states and how they respond to events. Connecting the plant to enterprise applications, like ERP, involves knowing what plant-level data is available, where it is generated or stored, and how to retrieve it or how to trigger plant level reactions to enterprise events like new orders or schedule changes.<\/P>\n

MES Migration<\/A><\/H3>\n

CIMAC is offering a new MES service for semiconductor fabs with obsolete legacy server platforms. Each MES migration plan will be customized to meet the needs of each fab for its specific set of tools and resources. The packaged solution from CIMAC includes:<\/P>\n

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  1. Requirements gathering \n
  2. Vendor Analysis and Selection \n
  3. Migration plan \n
  4. Design & Implementation \n
  5. QA and test \n
  6. Deployment \n
  7. Performance testing <\/LI><\/OL>\n

    After deployment, performance testing will help CIMAC “fine tune” the migration with the fab IT department to optimize the MES. Migration can be performed while the fab is operational with minimal disruption of manufacturing.<\/P>\n

    MES Testing<\/A><\/H3>\n

    Performance testing is carried out on MES systems to identify and eliminate bottlenecks that can potentially cause production outages and loss of revenue in a semiconductor production fab. In a distributed system, bottlenecks can occur at the client site, within the server or in the network. The MES system is the heart of the manufacturing operation and interacts with a number of other systems to support the manufacturing line in a fab. As production increases with ramping up of the production volume, the loads on the various systems that support the production also increase. CIMAC performs MES system testing and validation of performance and scalability to measure the various key parameters, thus providing good ROI by early detection of potential problems.<\/P>\n

    Training And Support<\/A><\/H3>\n

    CIMAC provides End User Training and sustaining support for multiple commercial MES software systems.<\/P>");