In manufacturing environments, efficient label printing directly from the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is crucial for streamlined operations. Integrating label printing seamlessly within Epicor MES can present challenges. This article explores a practical solution for printing labels directly from Epicor MES using Bartender and Autoprint, overcoming common hurdles and enhancing production efficiency.
Overcoming Label Printing Challenges in Epicor MES
Traditionally, integrating label printing within Epicor MES can be complex. One significant issue arises from Epicor’s limitations on updating Job Header fields directly from MES. This constraint impacts workflows requiring dynamic label information based on job specifics. Furthermore, generating reports that focus solely on the active job for a user in MES, without including material tables for all operations, can be difficult with standard Generic Job Report Data Definitions.
The Innovative Bartender and Autoprint Solution for Print Labels
To address these challenges and effectively Print Labels from Epicor MES, a solution leveraging Bartender label software and Autoprint functionality within Epicor was implemented. This approach utilizes the Generic Job Report Data Definition as a foundation and incorporates custom configurations to achieve seamless label printing.
A key element of this solution involves creating a User Defined (UD) field on the JobHeader table in Epicor. To enable updates to this UD field from MES, a Business Process Management (BPM) was developed. This BPM allows users in MES to trigger updates to the JobHeader UD field, effectively bypassing the standard limitations.
To ensure labels are printed only for the specific job being worked on in MES, several criteria were implemented within the Generic Job Report Data Definition. These criteria facilitate joining to the custom UD table, which stores essential data fields required for label printing. This tailored RDD ensures data accuracy and relevance for each print job.
A custom screen, accessible from MES, was designed to further enhance the user experience. This screen pre-populates certain information and allows users to specify label parameters, such as choosing between 4×6 or 1×4 print labels and defining the required quantity. User selections on this screen update the JobHeader UD field via the BPM, which in turn triggers Autoprint.
Autoprint rules and conditions are configured to intelligently route print jobs to the appropriate Zebra printers and select the correct label styles. This routing is dynamically determined based on the information stored in the UD table, which is linked to the Generic Job RDD tables.
Benefits of Integrated Print Labels from MES
This integrated approach has proven to be highly effective, with users printing hundreds of print labels daily for nearly a year. The solution successfully brings a previously external label printing process directly into Epicor, enhancing data integration and process control.
While attempts to use Crystal Reports for label printing faced complications, particularly with multi-label printing and orientation issues, Bartender has proven to be a robust and adaptable solution. By utilizing BPMs and UD tables in conjunction with Autoprint functions in Epicor, businesses can achieve an almost ad-hoc and highly flexible print labels process directly from their MES system.
Conclusion
Integrating Bartender with Epicor MES and Autoprint offers a powerful and flexible solution for printing labels in a manufacturing environment. By overcoming the limitations of standard Epicor functionality through clever use of BPMs and UD fields, this method provides a streamlined, efficient, and integrated approach to print labels, directly enhancing operational workflows and data management within Epicor.
