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Centralizing Data for Improved Efficiency: A Case Study on Malvern Panalytical
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
- Sensors - Liquid Detection Sensors
Applicable Industries
- Electronics
- Equipment & Machinery
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
Use Cases
- Supply Chain Visibility
- Time Sensitive Networking
Services
- System Integration
The Challenge
Malvern Panalytical, a UK-based hi-tech electronics company, was grappling with the challenge of decentralized data storage. The company had a vast amount of unstructured data scattered across various platforms, from hard drives to emails and floppy disks. This made the data searching process extremely cumbersome and inefficient. The company's rapid growth, from 200 to over 1,000 employees in a decade, and expansion across three continents further exacerbated the need for a more structured and centralized data system. As a company involved in electronics manufacturing and software development, it was crucial for Malvern Panalytical to find a platform that could structure all their data, track all modifications of documents in real time, and provide clear visibility of the internal information flow across all its facilities.
The Customer
Malvern Panalytical
About The Customer
Malvern Panalytical is a UK-based company that specializes in the production of scientific instruments and services that help customers examine the fundamental chemical and physical structure of their products. The company provides materials and biophysical characterization technology and expertise that enable scientists and engineers to understand and control the properties of dispersed materials. Their systems are used across various industries and applications to measure particle size, particle shape, zeta potential, protein charge, molecular weight, mass, size and conformation, microcalorimetry, rheological properties, and for chemical identification. Malvern Panalytical is part of Spectris Plc, a world-leading precision measurement group focused on harnessing the power of precision measurement to make the world cleaner, healthier, and more productive.
The Solution
Malvern Panalytical turned to Aras Innovator to centralize their data storage and improve access to information. Aras Innovator, initially used for document handling, was expanded to store drawings for parts, effectively becoming a central information hub for the company. The system was used by around 300 daily users, including engineers, developers, and managers. The high level of configurability of Aras Innovator allowed Malvern Panalytical to consider migrating data from Aras into Microsoft SharePoint® and ERP-system SAP, thereby bringing R&D and manufacturing closer together. This interdepartmental integration was key to creating a leaner, more responsive, and efficient organization. The centralized data storage system also reduced design mistakes by ensuring that data, drawings, and other product information were always up-to-date and aligned in the system.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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