Case Study: Modine Europe

Increased Levels of Automation and Transparency with CAD Data Exchange using TRUfusion Enterprise and TRUeurex-c

Modine Europe GmbH is a subsidiary of the US Modine Manufacturing Company, based in Racine, Wisconsin, one of the world's leading companies in thermal management technology.

The company designs, engineers, tests and manufactures thermal management products, components and systems in the area of heat transfer and storage technology for use in various OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) applications and to a wide range of global markets. Modine employs approximately 7,000 people at 32 facilities worldwide in 15 countries and achieved fiscal 2009 revenues of $1.4 billion

The Challenge

Realizing CAD data exchange process quality improvements using Trubiquity's Managed File Transfer (MFT) Solution

Modine's business operation has a European headquarters in Filderstadt-Bonlanden, Germany, which is integrated into Modine's global network of development centers and plants. The exchange of product design data was a real challenge for Modine Europe because the existing system was no longer deemed to be fit for purpose.

"We wanted a data exchange system which basically provides all communication methods and formats, such as Odette OFTP, ENX and ENGDAT, which are required standards in the CAD world," explained Andreas Willmann, CAD Support, Modine Europe

The legacy system could not provide an easy to use and well managed data handling workflow. It was weak in the following areas:

• How to achieve secure data communication with its customer base?
• How to optimize collaboration between geographically dispersed project team members?

In addition, the new replacement solution had to satisfy strict customer requirements including:

• Standard functions were not properly supported.
• TAR containers were sent without the .tar extension.
• Incoming Pro/ENGINEER files were renamed improperly by the system and could not be opened by the application.
• No automated deletion of temporary files on the server.
• ENGDAT abstract files and the content of TAR and ZIP containers could not be viewed.
• No transmission progress indicator.

Willmann's goal was to get a new system that should significantly enhance the quality and reliability of CAD data exchange processes.

Besides the integration of 70 users at two European locations the system should meet the following requirements:

• Standard commercial off the shelf (COTS) functionality rather than customised.
• Greater transparency of the status of data exchange activity.
• More features to create company specific workflows.
• Secure and traceable data exchange.
• Marked increase of the workflow automation level.
• Enhancement and simplification of data exchange processes.
• Simple end user operation.

The Solution

Automated data exchange processes with TRUfusion Enterprise including TRUeurex-c

Modine Europe decided to implement a Trubiquity Managed File Transfer (MFT) business solution. The selected key components of the solution were TRUfusion Enterprise and TRUeurex-c, which would deliver the required levels of performance, standardization and stability.

Willmann added, "We had high expectations of Trubiquity and we assured ourselves of the capability of their products prior to deployment. The crucial factor in choosing Trubiquity's solution was a reference customer visit in order to see TRUfusion Enterprise in production use."

TRUfusion Enterprise automates the whole process of design data exchange. Workflow optimization and enhancement of data quality and security are achieved due to integrated software tools for viewing, translating, encrypting, sharing and reporting while seamlessly integrating with PLM and CAD systems. TRUfusion Enterprise's database is used to store and manage all data exchange process to ensure all key activities are tracked and the sending and receiving of data is guaranteed.

TRUeurex-c, a client/server solution for Electronic Data Exchange (EDI), was integrated with TRUfusion Enterprise to provide the automation of Odette OFTP based data exchanges.

The Results

Higher levels of automation and improved data quality

By implementing this Managed File Transfer (MFT) solution, Modine Europe replaced the legacy system with an automated and user friendly process. After a short implementation phase, the subsequent training of administrators by Trubiquity and internal training of users, the solution went live at the end of June 2009.

"With the help of Trubiquity we met the challenges we were facing with no risks because we benefited from deploying mature and reliable products which have successfully proven their value in our industry sector. We have enhanced the quality of our CAD data exchange considerably and reduced the need for 'traffic control' in the area of data handling, data security and with the workflow between our customers and plants," says Willmann.