MES Software for SMEs: How Exolynk Shopfloor Digitalizes Production
How a Swiss machine manufacturer uses Exolynk Shopfloor to make production efficient, transparent, and future-proof.
Reading time: 6 minutes
Table of contents
Summary
A success story about the digitalization of production at a machinery company. Exolynk Shopfloor ensures efficient workflows, full transparency, and seamless traceability—from order to service. Features such as Digital Twin, QMS, and real-time translation guarantee quality and sustainability.
Introduction: The Challenge at Cancutter
Cancutter is an innovative Swiss machine manufacturer specializing in the development and production of specialized equipment for the beverage and events industry. While engineering and assembly are carried out in Switzerland, certain components are manufactured in Southeast Asia.
As a growing SME, Cancutter faced the challenge of efficiently and seamlessly managing its complex processes—from customer orders to manufacturing and long-term service. In particular, the requirements for just-in-time production, quality assurance, and traceability across a product’s entire lifecycle made a modern, flexible system essential.
With Exolynk Shopfloor, Cancutter found the right solution. The implementation not only brought structure and transparency to operations but also enabled end-to-end traceability for every single device—including a digital twin and complete history.
From First Contact to Order: CRM & Order Management
The process often starts in the traditional way: a customer reaches out via email or phone with an inquiry or order.
- In CRM and contact management, customer and supplier data are centrally recorded and maintained. Each new order immediately has a complete customer history—including past orders, contacts, and individual requirements.
- Using order management, orders are formally recorded. Delivery notes and shipping documents can be generated directly from the system, ensuring smooth and error-free processing.
Example in Practice: An event organizer places a last-minute order for several Cancutter devices for a large event. Since all customer data is already in the CRM, the order entry takes just a few minutes.
Just-in-Time Production: From Order to Work Order
If an ordered device is not immediately available from stock, the order is directly converted into a production work order.
During assembly, the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) guides employees step by step through the defined production process. The necessary information, such as the Bill of Process (BOP), comes from the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system:
- Versioned Bills of Materials (BOM): Each assembly is based on a clearly defined and versioned bill of materials, ensuring that the correct version is always manufactured.
- Traceable Changes: Any adjustments to components or processes are fully documented and can be traced in detail at any time.
Example in Practice: When a new series of can openers is ordered, the corresponding BOM is automatically retrieved from the PLM. This ensures that the latest technical updates are immediately reflected in production without delays.
Fig. Bill of Materials (BOM)
Transparency in Production: Serialization
During production, each finished device is assigned a unique serial number.
This forms the basis for the Digital Twin, which documents the entire product history throughout its lifecycle.
Thanks to MES integration, the production process:
- Digitally records every step
- Guides employees in real time
- Captures defects and quality issues as they occur
Ensuring Quality: QMS with Root-Cause Analysis
If quality issues or non-conformances arise during production, they are recorded directly in the Quality Management System (QMS) using an 8D report.
- Root-cause analyses and Ishikawa diagrams help systematically identify causes. (Further details on AI-supported root cause analysis in this article)
- Issues are linked to the corresponding BOM versions and forwarded to engineering or suppliers for resolution.
- All corrective actions and their implementation are documented in the system for full transparency.
Example in Practice: During assembly, an employee notices that a supplier component doesn’t meet specifications. The incident is documented as a quality action in the QMS. Using the 8D process and Ishikawa analysis, the cause is identified and the supplier notified. This way, the problem source is quickly eliminated before affecting further orders.
Fig. Non-Conformance Root Cause Analysis with AI
Shipping: Automated Documentation
Once production is complete, the system automatically generates all required documents:
- Delivery notes
- Shipping documentation and certificates of origin
- Serial number assignments linked to the customer order
This ensures that it is always clear which device was delivered to which customer.
Long-Term Service: SLM & Digital Twin
With Service Lifecycle Management (SLM), Cancutter provides optimal support even long after the sale.
- Warranty cases and repairs are fully documented.
- All services are centrally coordinated—ensuring maximum efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Example in Practice: Two years after purchasing a device, a customer requests a replacement cutting blade. Using the serial number, the exact device is identified immediately. All spare parts, modifications, and past service events are stored in the Digital Twin, and the replacement is logged in the service record—keeping the entire history transparent.
Safety Through Traceability: PLM & DMS
In the unlikely event of a product recall, Cancutter is well prepared.
- Versioned BOMs ensure that the affected batches and devices can be identified precisely.
- The integrated Document Management System (DMS) stores and versions all relevant files, including CAD drawings, assembly instructions, and inspection reports.
This allows Cancutter to proactively inform customers without time-consuming manual research.
Overcoming Language Barriers: AI-Powered Real-Time Translation
One highlight of the Exolynk Shopfloor solution at Cancutter is the AI-based real-time translation of all data fields:
- Every data field can be instantly translated into multiple languages—like simultaneous interpretation.
- Employees in different countries can work in their native language while accessing the same data.
- This eliminates misunderstandings and errors often caused by language barriers.
Example in Practice: While the engineering team in Switzerland maintains BOMs and quality reports in German, the production team in Southeast Asia views the same information in English—without delays or manual translation. At the same time, inputs from abroad are automatically translated back into German, ensuring all departments share the same information base.
This function gives Cancutter a decisive advantage as part of an international network. Real-time translation enables smooth and efficient collaboration across countries and languages—without the need for additional translation tools or external interfaces.
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Conclusion: Flexibility and Efficiency for an SME
By introducing Exolynk Shopfloor, Cancutter has raised its operations to a new level:
Efficiency: End-to-end coverage from order to service.
Transparency: Every production step is documented and traceable.
Flexibility: A system tailored to the needs of an SME—including real-time translation for bilingual data use.
Future-readiness: With a digital twin, versioned PLM, and integrated QMS, Cancutter is well prepared for the years ahead.
Cancutter proves that even a small Swiss SME can professionalize its processes with the right solution—staying competitive with international players while delivering customer service far beyond industry standards.
