Blueprint 4D - Dallas 2023

Come and see us at BLUEPRINT 4D Dallas 2023!

The collaboration event for the Oracle customer community.

Rinami will be presenting the next release of Cantara Integration Platform live at BLUEPRINT 4D in Dallas, May 8-11, 2023. The event will showcase the latest in mobile apps for capital asset management with JD Edwards EnterpriseOne. Rinami's consultants and technical experts will highlight the advances in features, performance and security for JD Edwards customers.

Find out how you can unlock more value from your investment in Oracle JD Edwards. This is a great opportunity to discuss how Cantara can increase workflow efficiency in your asset-intensive business. Rinami's solutions enable JD Edwards users to gain significant benefits across the full set of EnterpriseOne capabilities.

Event Session

May 8, 3:30pm

Venue: Madrid Room

Looking for a complete CMMS solution? RAPS for JD Edwards delivers advanced scheduling, planning, execution and mobility solutions to meet your asset management requirements.

Presented by: Russell Codlin, Rinami

As your organization moves along the maintenance maturity path, the demands of your maintenance systems will increase and can exceed the capabilities of JD Edwards EAM. In this session we will run through how the Rinami Asset Performance Suite enhances JD Edwards to deliver advanced scheduling capabilities, graphical maintenance planning tools, integrated digital checklists and disconnected mobile solutions for field inspection and maintenance activities to support your organization's progression. RAPS provides a sophisticated preventive maintenance scheduling solution that enables a rules based approach to defining your maintenance strategies. Executing complex servicing cycles and applying mass changes are easily achieved without the need to try to manage strategies at an asset by asset level. Maintenance scheduling is simplified with a powerful graphical planning solution that allows planners to quickly define, update and present the schedule, whether it is at a shift, day, week or month level. Dynamic checklists for equipment inspection, condition assessment and activity compliance can be defined within JD Edwards and delivered through disconnected mobile applications. A powerful rules engine can assess user response and define appropriate resolutions; whether you wish to simply notify the asset owner of an issue or automatically trigger a work order to ensure the problem is addressed. Advanced mobile solutions ensure that critical information is available where the relevant asset is and easily handles disconnected conditions so user can execute maintenance activities anywhere they need to.

The Rinami team will be available at booth 416 to discuss your capital asset management requirements. To arrange an appointment, get in touch via info@rinami.com

Rinami Inc.

Suite 200, 355 South Teller Street, Lakewood CO 80226

+1 720 826 9946

Mobile CAM Earns Thiess a 2022 Mining Magazine Award

Rinami is proud to be supporting Thiess, the world's largest mining services provider, with Cantara Mobile Apps.

Thiess uses Rinami's Mobile CAM and Storeroom apps for managing asset maintenance and warehouse activities. The apps are key elements of an initiative at Thiess for sustainable improvement and greater business agility. The apps have now achieved industry-wide recognition, winning Mining Magazine's 2022 Production and Maintenance award.

To check out this exciting news, visit Thiess Wins Mining Magazine's Production and Maintenance Award

For the full list of award winners, visit Mining Magazine 2022 Awards

Increasing Efficiency for JD Edwards Job Schedules

The Cantara Scheduler offers JD Edwards customers major advantages for optimizing and managing batch jobs.

Advanced Scheduling Features

Optimization is a theme throughout Cantara. The first thing to notice about Cantara Scheduler is that scheduled jobs can be packed more closely together. At first that might concern you, if you're in the habit of spacing jobs apart just to ensure that one completes before the other starts. However, Cantara lets you configure dependencies between jobs, so completion of one job can trigger another. That's efficient.

Configuring job times includes some other advantages too. Cantara lets you choose finer-grained timeslots, so smaller unrelated jobs don't have time wasted between them. There are some additional trigger types available too, letting you configure schedule patterns that are just a bit more complex. Try scheduling "every thirty minutes during business hours except for the three days around month end". With Cantara it's easy. You can even specify that a job must occur a certain number of days before an event.

Expected job durations can be configured, and actual times are monitored so that you'll know if a job has finished too quickly (suggesting an invalid data selection) or is taking too long. That knowledge can be used to decide if a job was successful, and whether the next job should be allowed to start. In fact, you can specify job sequences that will only continue if every member of the group returns success. This holds true even if the jobs are allocated to different servers. 

Inspecting Your Schedule

To provide better visibility of your schedule, Cantara offers a Gantt chart view. It spans an adjustable time period and can focus on one or all streams. A stream can identify jobs for a particular area of the business.

You can see that the engineers at Rinami continually strive to offer more optimizations and more value for JD Edwards users.

For further information about Cantara Scheduler and the Cantara Integration Platform, get in touch via rinami.com

How Do Cantara Mobile Apps Work Offline?

Rinami's customers are often on the move. Their work can take them to remote areas of a site, where network coverage isn't available. Rinami aims to support operators wherever they're working, so their tools won't let them down. With Cantara Mobile Apps, operators can travel in and out of network coverage whilst retaining essential ERP capabilities.

Prior to Going Offline

When an operator logs into a Cantara Mobile App, relevant work orders and other data are automatically downloaded to the device. The downloaded data is determined by their security profile, and may also vary according to the application mode, branch, equipment or other attributes. The operator can also load additional records onto their device, if needed. By opening and viewing particular JDE records, a local copy will be made available for offline access.

Once data is downloaded to the device, the operator is able to work independently, accessing a range of ERP functions without needing a network connection.

Working in Offline Mode

Cantara Mobile Apps enter offline mode automatically, by detecting that network connectivity is unavailable. There is no UI button or menu option to manually select offline mode. The transition to offline occurs when the app attempts to perform a JDE transaction.

When a Cantara Mobile App is offline, many standard features are able to continue normally. The operator can still update work orders and create new ones. They can also use many of the parts, labor and inventory functions. Whilst offline, all transactions are stored locally on the device.

Some app features will not be available in offline mode. Availability of features will be project specific, and will depend on the data downloaded to the device prior to going offline. Talk to your Rinami consultant to discuss a specific function you need.

Examples of features that can be supported Offline:

• View, update and create work orders
• View and edit work order parts and labor
• Timecard entry
• Item master record attachments
• Inventory inquiry (except calculated quantity available)
• Inventory issue and transfer
• Cycle count barcode scanning of 2nd and 3rd item numbers

Returning to Online

Cantara Mobile Apps do not transition back to online mode automatically. When the operator returns to an area with network coverage, they must initiate a data sync operation, to upload the locally stored transactions to JDE.

The Sync Operation

Selecting Offline Sync from the main menu displays each of the transactions that was completed offline. The operator is able to choose particular transactions to be synchronized to JDE, or simply synchronize all of the offline transactions. A sync log shows the result of each synchronize action.

Once the synchronization has completed, a data reload from JDE will occur, and the app will automatically resume Online operation.

To discuss how Cantara Mobile Apps can help your business, contact rinami.com

Cantara Integration Platform 6.1 Released

Following the successful major release of Cantara 6.0 in 2020, Rinami has added a number of key enhancements to Cantara Integration Platform with minor release 6.1. This post describes some of the functionality and security supported in this latest version.

Cloud Security

Increasing the security of Cantara cloud deployments, Cantara software is now protected by Google Cloud Platform container analysis and vulnerability scanning. Automatic scanning of Cantara software deliverables adds another layer of assurance for your business data. Full details about the capability are available from Container analysis and vulnerability scanning  |  Google Cloud.

SFTP Authorization for Media Objects

Cantara 6.1 adds secure communications for Media Objects, enabling SSH encrypted data connections for mobile devices in the field. Media objects allow Cantara users to attach marked-up photos, pdf files and other attachments to work orders. This extra detail can be very useful for storing inventory parts images and specifications relevant to a particular asset, which a parts interpreter will know but a service mechanic may not. Media objects can also be used to capture images of equipment wear or damage, or to draw attention to circled engine parts requiring repair. SFTP authorization ensures that Cantara media objects can be trusted with potentially sensitive data attachments.

Tenant Scheduler Auto-Start 

The tenant scheduler now supports automatic start-up upon server restart. This improves Cantara's recovery from disruptions, particularly for on-premises environments. Services are restored without the need for manual intervention, minimizing downtime.

OAuth2 Refresh Token Disabled for De-Authorized Users

Disabling a user's single sign on account now triggers disabling of JDE access as well. This ensures that de-authorized users who are already signed on will not be able to continue accessing JDE services through the Cantara API. This is an important feature for managing the information security of your business and reducing the risk of a data breach.

Cantara Legacy API default Response Format

To maintain full compatibility with Cantara 4 and 5 applications, the Cantara 6.1 API provides response data that is XML-formatted by default. Requests which specify a particular response format (either XML or JSON) will continue to be honored. Rinami recommends that requests should always specify a required format, rather than relying on a default format.

Minimum JDK Release Updated

The minimum JDK version required by Cantara 6.1 servers has been upgraded to JDK 11, ensuring modern support and security for the platform. For customers whose deployments include a Cantara Agent server, note that the agent server will now only upgrade automatically if the required JDK version has been installed.

WebLogic Support Updated

Cantara now supports Oracle WebLogic version 14.1.1. Details of the enhancements provided by this release are available from Announcing Oracle Weblogic 1411.

Cantara Scheduler Negative Day Offset for Period Date Trigger

The Cantara scheduler now supports period date triggers defined as a negative offset in days. This enables customers to configure report scheduling configurations such as the day before a new period begins.

Trust Added To User Management Methods

Cantara 6.1 adds support for Trust authentication. The full list of supported user management methods now includes Cantara, LDAP, Everest SSO, JDE, Steltix TLX10, OAuth2 (including Azure AD and Firebase) and Trust.

Rinami Asset Performance Suite (RAPS) Enhancements

RAPS, the tools that help you to get more from your JD Edwards EnterpriseOne solution, now offer a number of new features.

Maintenance Execution Planner

Maintenance Execution Planner is a new RAPS module that lets planners allocate work orders to resources and schedules, using drag-and-drop. The interface provides a fast and convenient way to update work order assignments and planned start times, without requiring keyboard entry. Of course all updates are stored directly to JDE using the Cantara REST API. 

Maintenance Execution Planner is efficient because it is usable - it saves you time, and reduces planning errors made during data entry. You can rearrange allocated work orders on a timeline, to organize tasks for the day. The tool also provides a visual indication of remaining schedule availability, so you can easily manage workloads.

Service Logic Enhanced

The RAPS Service Logic module now offers an extended range of configuration attributes for each asset, which can be used to identify specialized maintenance requirements. The attributes can be automatically analyzed to define preventative maintenance schedules.

Service Logic gives planners finer control of service schedules, by introducing Cycle Type elements to model multi-step service cycles. Rather than relying on JDE associations, Service Logic assigns priorities to each cycle step, and performs its own forward-planning calculations to select the active step in the cycle. This avoids the problems of parts over-ordering and asset over-servicing.

When maintenance schedules need to be adjusted, Service Logic recognizes that cycle steps need to be handled differently for different circumstances. Rules can be configured, so that when the planned date for one cycle step is adjusted, dates for the other steps are updated automatically. The rules define a range of scenarios, and specify which cycle steps are allowed to be rescheduled. For example, you can choose whether schedule changes made to minor services should automatically trigger changes to major service events. Setting up these rules greatly simplifies day-to-day schedule management for large fleets, ensuring that assets are always serviced at correct intervals, and applicable maintenance regulations are complied with.

More Information

Take a look at the full range of available RAPS modules at rinami.com/products/rinami-asset-performance-suite.

Capital Asset Management That's Well Connected

 

Rinami's Mobile CAM connects asset service teams with the planning systems used across your business. The mobile app provides a user-friendly way to view and manage work orders - wherever you are working, and because it's based on Cantara Integration Platform, it has the advantage of real-time interaction with JD Edwards EnterpriseOne. So all data is live.

Mobile CAM shows asset maintainers an up-to-date and prioritized listing of requested work items. You can set it to display only the work that has been assigned to you, your crew, or a particular site. You can also search for information about a particular asset. However, the strengths of Mobile CAM become more evident when you see the content within a work order.

Enhanced Work Instructions

Mobile CAM provides access to clear information enabling your team to complete maintenance tasks safely, efficiently, and in compliance with standards. These aren't lofty goals - they're essential requirements that need to be facilitated. Mobile CAM can present step-by-step instructions, parts drawings and photos, manuals, or a video showing how to replace a part. This is particularly helpful for a team member who may be unfamiliar with an aspect of the asset. There may also be attachments with tooling information, required permits or safety advice.

The app also highlights exactly what information needs to be recorded. As individual tasks are checked off, Mobile CAM gives team members confidence that they have done what is required.

Streamlined User Input

Mobile CAM provides an easy way for workers to record the outcome of asset inspections and repairs, and update job status. This data, together with the parts and hours consumed, is immediately shared back to other business teams. So by the time a team member lets you know that stock is getting low, it's probably already been re-ordered.

Like all Cantara mobile apps, user input is streamlined so that using the app is never a burden. Think of simple checklists, status selectors, meter entry... when you're working on equipment you can't stop to write a book. The app is efficient, designed to become a natural part of performing a task, rather than an extra chore.

Mobile CAM allows equipment meters to be recorded at any time, and eliminates the problem of rushed handwriting that needs to be deciphered later. The app immediately checks the entered values against the last readings stored in JDE, and makes sure they're valid. Meter reads (or measurements from any device sensor) can be conducted as part of normal asset operation, or during any maintenance event, rather than being left until end of month or worse. The readings drive future maintenance planning, so it's easy to see the value in keeping them up to date. They impact on reporting, parts procurement, external inspections and labor requirements.

No Paperwork

Another advantage of Mobile CAM is that it eliminates service paperwork, so maintainers can spend more time maintaining equipment, and less time writing up, printing and collating the required documentation. Reports can be generated automatically, based on the work order details entered during maintenance. Working without paper might improve job satisfaction too.

Noticing Problems As You Go

We all recognize that mechanics can save us a lot of heartache, and money, by keeping up with preventative maintenance. Yes, inspection of parts wear will help you optimize an asset's productivity; but knowing that a turbo needs to be replaced before the whole engine is destroyed is more critical. That's why Mobile CAM lets maintainers create additional work orders, for issues they may notice on the job. An additional work order can be created while the mechanic is right beside the machine, and they can attach marked-up photos or other details that should be captured. Creating a work order takes seconds, and the information goes straight to JDE, ensuring that problems are not forgotten.

Security

Cantara supports numerous authentication providers and complies with modern security methodologies, including LDAP, Everest SSO, JDE, Steltix TLX10, OAuth2 (including Azure AD and Firebase) and Trust. Role-based access applies to all users, whether logging in to a cloud-based or on-premises Cantara server, or a Cantara mobile app. The connections between Cantara mobile apps, Cantara servers and JD Edwards use SSH encrypted communication links too.

Featureset

Mobile CAM handles a range of asset management functions:

• Work order search, view and update (including checklists for work order close)
• Parts issue (and return of unused parts)
• Labor details, including time entry (as hours, or via start/stop buttons)
• Asset service history
• Pre-start equipment checklists
• Safety enhancements like operator fatigue checklists
• Offline support (allowing you to travel in and out of mobile range)

The app can be customized with additional features, such as Item Search or Inventory Inquiry. All functionalities can be aligned with your specific business processes.

The Mobile CAM app and Cantara Integration Platform are a capital asset management solution from software company Rinami rinami.com, with headquarters in Queensland, Australia.