Glossary

RAD Software Glossary

ADAPT
ADAPT (Advanced Development Application Program Tool-kit) is a Fourth Generation Language that provides the EFACS user unparalleled levels of customisation to the core application, without the need to have or maintain complex source codes. ADAPT can be employed to perform the following functions; Embed industry-standard database statements (SQL); Create interactive screen forms that provide an interface between the user and the application; Seamlessly integrate user supplied code into EFACS application programs; Create stand-alone programs with the look and feel of the EFACS software

Archive
Archive is a means of removing old historic information from the live files (e.g. completed Sales orders). This will keep the size of the live file small and therefore maintain the speed of the system.

Backflushing
A term used to describe the function of a component issue from stock, at the time of completing the works order. These parts are issued automatically from stock without user interaction. The quantity backflushed is dependant upon the bill of material usage.

BLOB
A BLOB (Binary Large Object) is a special data type available within the Informix OnLine system used to hold complex data like graphics, sound, etc.

BOM
A Bill of Materials is a hierarchical, tree-like structure, which is used to define the relationship between component parts, and assembled parts. A full, complex Bill of Materials may be many levels deep. There is no theoretic limit to the number of levels supported by EFACS, though in practice is it rare to exceed 20 levels.

Broadcasting
Broadcasting in EFACS is used to facilitate large direct mail campaigns to the customer and prospect database utilisting e-shots or fax shots.

Business Process Automation
Otherwise known as BPA, allows companies to seamlessly align their business processes and IT functions.

CRP (Capacity Requirement Planning)
It tackles one of the fundamental problems facing manufacturing industry that of how to plan and control the complexities of manufacturing many jobs, each composed of a series of operations using limited resources. Capacity Planning takes into account the current shop floor Work In Progress situation.

Customisation
The Advanced Customisation Toolkit (ACT) is a development tool that enables skilled staff to customise the functionality of core application software without the need to develop complex source code.

Database
A database contains a collection of related data files. Within each file there is a pre-defined structure comprising one or more fields. There is no limit to the number of records, which may be entered. The EFACS database is called efacdb.

Document management
This is a repository that provides quick, easy access to information in a secure, controlled and traceable manner.

EASL
EASL (EFACS advanced screen language) is a software tool designed to produce powerful Query by Example and data-entry forms to be used in accessing EFACS data. Before you may use such a form to retrieve and alter the data tables of the database, a specification file must be written. This defines all the features of the screen form including layout, data access, and data display.

EFACS
EFACS stands for Extended Factory Administration Control System.

Engineering Change Control
This is a fundamental requirement in most manufacturing organisations to help organise and control all modifications to products within their portfolio.

ERP
ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning

FIFO
FIFO - First In First Out is a method used by EFACS to determine which stock batch number to pick. If a FIFO system is in operation, the oldest batch is chosen, ensuring correct rotation of stock.

freetext
Text relating to element within EFACS. Has a type and has no length limit. For example descriptive text associated with a Part, manufacturing instructions linked to an operation, Purchase order item text. The user may define multiple text types against each of the key files within EFACS.

Great Companies
All deal with RAD.

Hub
A network hub is a device for connecting multiple Ethernet devices together making them act as a single network segment. Hubs do not manage the data and a packet sent from one device is sent to every port on the hub, therefore it is up to the devices connected to the hub to determine if the packet was intended for them.

IP address
A unique number which identifies a specific resource on an IP network. IP addresses consist of four sets of digits known as “octets” which each range from 0 to 255. Each octet describes an attribute of the network location that the resource belongs to, generally split between “Network” address and “Host” address. The Network address portion usually stays the same but the Host portion will be different for each device on the network. As an example a device with the IP address of 192.168.1.25 would typically belong to the 192.168.1 network and is number 25 on that network.

Intra-group trading
With the advent of globalisation it is important that multi-national companies can trade with each other in an efficient and stream-lined manner removing any unnecessary manual steps.

Job Costing
The ability to accurately cost a job within the production environment.

KVM
A device which allows multiple computers to be controlled via a single Keyboard, Video screen and Mouse.

LAN
Local Area Network. A group of computers and other devices connected via a standard connection medium, usually Ethernet, that are able to share data and resources.

MRP
Material Requirements Planning is a system within EFACS, which looks at all orders (sales, schedules and forecast) and calculates, based upon due dates and stock information, a time-phased purchasing and manufacturing plan.

MPS (Master Production Scheduling)
Derives the most efficient manner in which to process a company’s order book especially when there are finite resources available within the planning process.

Multi-user
Multi-user is a term that defines an operating system or application software that allows concurrent access by multiple users of a computer.

nominal ledger account
A Nominal Ledger account code classifies revenue, expenditure, assets and liabilities into different headings. Such details are held within the Nominal Ledger Module. Information from the EFACS Sales and Purchase Order Processing systems may be posted to a Nominal Ledger.

operation number
An operation number is a sequence number assigned within a manufacturing route. It defines the order in which various operations should be performed. Normally the numbers are multiples of ten to allow for new operations to be inserted.

operating system
An operating system (sometimes abbreviated as "OS") is the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer, manages all the other programs in a computer. The other programs are called applications or application programs. The OS also provides the user with general file operations such as Copy, Move and Delete.

part number
Every item within EFACS, which is manufactured, stocked or purchased, is given a Part number. This Part number uniquely identifies the Part. Although called a number it is normally an alphanumeric code.

product configurator
The principle behind the "Product Configuration" system is to define all the permutations available within a single large generic Bill of Materials. While this may be complex to define, it need only be entered once. The definition of a unique Bill of Materials, which conforms to a customer requirement, may be done through a configuration procedure during sales order entry or quotation entry, if required. Once the configuration is complete a unique Bill of Materials is created. This provides the ability to carry out full Product Costing and Material Availability Analysis.

query-window
A facility to allow a search to be made for suitable entries within a single data-entry field.

queue
When computer tasks (jobs) await processing, they queue. This is most common when jobs are waiting for a printer.

RAD
Rapid Application Development is also called RAD. A method used to ensure return on investment is realised as soon as possible within the product development cycle.

RADRIB
RAD Radio Inventory Bridge integrates extends the EFACS functionality into the stock control and despatch environment through a wireless network, linking associated Microsoft Pocket PC devices.

RAID
RAID is a term for computer data storage methods that divide and copy data among multiple hard disk drives. RAID's various designs balance or improve two specific areas; data reliability and increased performance.

Requisitions and tendering
For organisations that have complex orders and supply chains, EFACS can efficiently manage the requisition process.

SFDC
SFDC stands for Shop Floor Data Collection. This is a module that controls bar-coded data collection terminals on the shop floor and relays the collected data back to a server.

SQL Server
The name of the Relational Database Management System that EFACS uses.

Sub contracting
The ability to accurately record and measure contacted costs within the production environment.

table
A table is a set of fields or columns held within the EFACS system. Each table may hold any number of rows or records. For example a set of details against a Customer (name, address, telephone, fax etc.) could form a table.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
A set of networking protocols used on the Internet that provides communications across interconnected networks made up of computers with diverse hardware architectures and various operating systems. TCP/IP includes standards for how computers communicate and conventions for connecting networks and routing traffic.

URL
Uniform Resource Locator; A unique address for a file that is accessible on the internet or intranet. URLs provide a means to reach internet resources without having to remember specific IP addresses. As an example, RAD have their website at the IP address of “217.160.223.65” which isn’t particularly friendly or easy to remember. The URL www.rad.co.uk translates to the IP address and provides an easy way to remember and access the site.

Vendor rating
Provides users with the ability to analyse the effectiveness of a business’ supply chain.

WAN
Wide Area Network. A network of devices whose communication links cross metropolitan, regional or national boundaries. The best example of a WAN is the internet.

wildcard character
A keyboard character that can be used to represent one or many characters when conducting a query. The question mark (?) represents a single character, and the asterisk (*) represents one or more characters.

WIP
Work In Progress is a terminology used to define work on the shop floor or in production as it passes through its various manufacturing stages prior to completion

WORKFLOW
Automates business procedures and improves operational efficiency.