To exploit the potential for optimising production, it is vital to establish effective monitoring and documentation of the whole production process. Even the basic platform of the modular host computer system provides an up-to-date overview of the production currently taking place, being connected to the machines via the recognised world standard of Ethernet cabling network.
 
Using the machine and plant data acquisition facilities of this basic system, the user of an ALS Workstation can keep constantly up-to-date on production within the company. Starting with a graphic representation of the machine hall, it is possible to call up detailed information such as status data, plant data and process parameters at any time by simply clicking on the appropriate machine symbol. Where process fluctuations or interruptions in production may arise, it is possible to take preventative action. In addition, this data is continuously recorded in different data pools, allowing statistical analysis of the machine data over various different time periods. At the same time, all results can be printed and exported in the form of tables or graphics, meaning that ALS data can be used as the basis for analysing production over the long-term. The capacity and availability of machines and moulds – and therefore how efficiently the tasks are managed – can be established over a long period of time using actual production data. Analysing all the data that is gathered will then reveal how much potential exists for optimising current manufacturing procedures.
 
Starting with this ALS base platform, the system can then be adapted to the specific requirements of a particular company using additional component modules. Other system components such as task management based on a schematic planning chart, order transfer from existing production planning systems, quality data recording and management of configuration data records can be added to the base platform stage by stage.