Advanced Determinations series – Part 2: Seven benefits of using Advanced Determinations in DELMIA Apriso

Benefit 2: Enhanced data management and accessibility

Advanced Determinations provide robust data management features that enhance your access and control of data, allowing for faster and more informed decision-making. Data is stored in a structured format within the database and is easily accessible via SQL queries. This not only facilitates straightforward data retrieval but also ensures that your data is organized and easily manageable.

Structured data storage 

Advanced Determinations can store data in plain text, which is human-readable and allows for easy configuration, as well as relations that support data relationship and integrity. This structured approach simplifies data handling, making audits and analyses easier to perform and faster to conclude.

Easy data retrieval

Advanced Determinations create views that can be queried using SQL, making it easy to extract, read, and analyze data. This capability is especially valuable because it provides straightforward access to configuration data at the business logic level, where it is used to drive decision-making. 

Benefit 3: Support for complex mappings

Advanced Determinations ensure that your manufacturing solution excels in handling complex data mappings. Whether you need to map inputs to outputs based on various conditions or require dynamic data sourcing, this is the DELMIA Apriso’s capability you use to gain the flexibility to accommodate these needs.

Multiple keys and query-based values 

The Determination Manager enables you to define multiple keys and use query-based determination values. This feature enables sophisticated data operations that can adapt to a wide range of business requirements, from simple lookups to complex conditional mappings. You can use DELMIA Apriso Process Builder to find the Determination Manager. 

Benefit 4: Built-in support for parent-child relationships

Managing hierarchical data can be challenging, but Advanced Determinations come with built-in support for parent-child relationships. This feature allows you to pass context between related data sets effortlessly, making sure your data remains consistent and logically structured.

Handling nested data structures

Some manufacturing applications, such as the Bill of Materials (BOM), require managing nested data structures. Advanced Determinations facilitate control of data structures by allowing parent-child relationships to be defined and managed within the system, keeping all related data correctly linked and contextualized.

Consistency and logical structuring

By maintaining parent-child relationships, Advanced Determinations ensure that data remains logically structured and easy to navigate. This consistency is crucial for processes that depend on accurate and hierarchical data representation.

Benefit 5: Localized outputs and revision control

For global enterprises, which often have their multisite operations spread across geographies, handling multiple languages and regional data variations is essential. Advanced Determinations support localized outputs, enabling you to manage translations and regional data differences efficiently.

Localized outputs 

Advanced Determinations can manage data in multiple languages, ensuring that outputs are relevant and comprehensible in different regional contexts. This capability is vital for companies operating in diverse markets and helps in maintaining consistent communication and data interpretation.

Revision control

The ability to revise and version determinations guarantees effective tracking of changes and maintaining historical data integrity. This feature provides a robust audit trail, which is critical for compliance with industry standards and regulations. It also helps in quality control by allowing you to revert to previous versions if needed.

Audit trail for compliance

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, maintaining an audit trail through revision control is critical for regulatory compliance. Advanced Determinations provide this capability to effectively allow for all changes to be documented and traceable, thus supporting compliance efforts and enhancing accountability.

Benefit 6: Integration with Process Builder

Advanced Determinations are designed to integrate with DELMIA Apriso's Process Builder. However, while technically possible, this integration tends to be complex and requires relevant skills. Due to its complexity, system integrators typically integrate Advanced Determinations at the aforementioned Apriso Desktop Client level.

Nevertheless, if you have comprehensive knowledge of the DELMIA Apriso features and capabilities or necessary development skills, Advanced Determinations can be seamlessly integrated with DELMIA Apriso's Process Builder.

In both approaches—whether via Apriso Desktop Client or via Process Builder—the outcome of such integration is the same: Process authors can effectively incorporate determinations directly into their workflows, successfully embedding data-driven decisions within operational processes.

Benefit 7: Improved efficiency and reduced costs

By leveraging Advanced Determinations, similarly to other enterprises that have already deployed DELMIA Apriso in their manufacturing sites, you can achieve significant efficiency gains and financial savings. 

Efficiency gains from streamlined data management

Advanced Determinations reduce the complexity of managing multiple custom tables and coding bespoke solutions. This streamlining leads to more efficient data handling processes, freeing up resources that can be redirected towards more strategic tasks.

Cost-efficient alternative for data configuration

Advanced Determinations are an effective and cost-efficient alternative to custom tables for data configuration. Except for data coming from Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, using a custom table typically requires a dedicated screen (editor) enabling you to edit the configuration data.

Creating those dedicated screens is both time-consuming and resource-intensive, which translates to costly man-hours. With Advanced Determinations, data can be configured using the standard Advanced Determinations Values Editor.

Cost savings from reduced development efforts 

Eliminating the need for extensive custom coding and table management reduces both the initial development costs and ongoing maintenance expenses. You can achieve better results with fewer resources, leading to more cost-effective manufacturing operations.

Faster decision-making and enhanced productivity

With Advanced Determinations, data-driven decisions are integrated seamlessly into workflows. This integration ensures that critical decisions are based on accurate and up-to-date information, resulting in quicker and more informed decision-making processes. Consequently, the overall productivity of your manufacturing sites is enhanced as workflows become more efficient and less prone to errors.