Idle time is one of the biggest areas for optimization in smart manufacturing and logistics operations. It occurs when production stops due to material shortages, equipment breakdowns, or other disruptions that require maintenance. Reducing idle time is critical for improving efficiency and minimizing downtime.

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The key to solving idle time issues is implementing a fully automated material ordering solution connected through a Digital Twin. This ensures smoother operations and provides real-time analysis to detect and address discrepancies before they impact production.

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A Digital Twin-enabled system allows for two major optimizations:

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‍•  Material Ordering: Production teams can request materials via tablets, buttons, or direct integration with the production line, ensuring logistics teams forklifts deliver supplies at the right time.

‍•  Connected Maintenance: Instead of a forklift, maintenance operators receive work orders directly on a mobile device, ensuring quick response to breakdowns.

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The system is highly configurable, supporting rule-based routing and chained work orders, allowing multiple processes and departments to operate in sync.

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To start using the Automated Ordering System as an integrated module of the twinzo digital twin platform, you need to follow a few simple steps in configuration and installation.

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You will need 2 Android devices - one for making the order and a second for order acceptance. You can also use dedicated buttons or other IoT hardware, but for that, you’ll need higher technical knowledge and we recommend finding a partner that can help you with the setup.

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Once you have your Android devices available, you’ll need to install our application twinzo Connect (tConnect) to those devices. The application is not available on the Google Store and you can find the application and installation instructions HERE.

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You will need to configure the ordering system properly based on your use case. It does not matter if you want to order a coffee or manage real-time logistics with multi-stage delivery of in-sequence-picked goods, all can be managed through the system.

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Read through our configuration documentation so you can understand different concepts and adapt the flows to your needs. The documentation is available HERE.

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Ordering systems especially if connected with RTLS systems (read how to install one yourself HERE ) will change the flows from a push system (constant planning) to an autonomous pull system managing itself. The impacts are profound and our customers are completely able to cut idle times from the process, increasing production and decreasing maintenance time significantly.

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If you have any issues while configuring the system, feel free to contact us.

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