B2MML-JSON Version Available from MESA

 Dennis Brandl, a member of MESA International

The latest release of B2MML from MESA International includes a JSON Schema specification of the ISA-88 and ISA-95 standards.  JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) a lightweight data-interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write and is easy for machines to parse and generate.  See www.json.org for information on JSON.  It is an open standard for data exchange that is made up of attribute value pairs and array data types. JSON is language independent but uses conventions that are familiar to most programmers that know C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Perl, Python, or any similar language. JSON is a lightweight alternative to XML and is often used in mobile applications and in Perl Python, and JavaScript applications.

JSON Schema is a grammar language for defining the structure, content, and (to some extent) semantics of JSON objects. See www.json-schema.org for information on JSON schemas.  Schemas specify metadata (data about data) about what an object's properties mean and what values are valid for those properties.  B2MML-JSON is derived from B2MML XSD definitions, using XMLSpy2021 from Altova (www.altova.com).  B2MML-JSON is a complement to the B2MML XML format and will remain in sync with any changes to B2MML and ISA-95.  JSON is typically used with REST based message exchanges, and XML is typically used with web service (SOAP) based exchanges.

The B2MML-JSON schema definition includes all the transactions specified in ISA-95 Part 5, providing one of the first standard syntax for fully qualified JSON message transactions. JSON messages can be exchanged using the ISA-95 Part 6 Message Service model, and the associated implementation OpenO&M implementation. The OpenO&M ISBM (Information Service Bus Model) defines both a web service and a REST interface specification to message exchange systems, and supports the exchange of XML and JSON messages. See www.mesa.org/en/ws-ISBM.asp for more information. 

This is the first release of B2MML-JSON and it includes all BatchML and BatchML-GeneralRecipe elements.  The current B2MML-JSON has all elements in a single file (rather large), but the MESA B2MML committee is looking for feedback from users on the best way to partition and organize JSON Schema files.  B2MML-JSON users are encouraged to pick up B2MML V7 from the MESA web site at http://www.mesa.org/en/B2MML.asp.  B2MML V7 is also available on Github at https://github.com/MESAInternational/B2MML-BatchML.   

Bio:
Dennis Brandl is the Chief Consultant for BR&L consulting, specializing in Manufacturing IT and Flexible Manufacturing solutions.  He has been involved in MES, batch control, and automation system design and implementation in a wide range of applications over the past 30 years.  Dennis is an active member of the ISA 95 Enterprise/Control System Integration committee, the ISA 99 Cyber System Security committee, and the IEC/ISO Smart Manufacturing Working Group, and a regular contributor to industry magazines.  Mr. Brandl has a BS in Physics and an MS in Measurement and Control from Carnegie-Mellon University, and a MS in Computer Science from California State University.

New Version of B2MML-BatchML Available from MESA

 Authored by Dennis Brandl, a member of MESA International

MESA International just announced the release of Version 7 of the widely used B2MML and BatchML specifications. Version 7 brings the ISA-95 and B2MML specifications completely in sync.  The extensions that were in B2MML because of user requests have been incorporated into the ISA-95 2018/2019 releases, and B2MML was updated to match new models added to the ISA-95 standards.  These include a complete test model for materials, personnel, equipment, and physical assets, linked to operations requests and work requests.  This B2MML version also adds spatial location information to all resources, allowing tracking of remote equipment, personal, and stored material.  The ISA-95 work calendar model was added to B2MML to allow the exchange of shift definitions, vacation specifications, and other calendar related events.  A standardized error message was added to B2MML, simplifying integration projects, and providing better debugging of integration problems.  

One major addition in B2MML V7 are Operations Events, a new model in ISA-95 that supports event driven architectures. Event driven architecture are often applied to integration of systems made up of loosely coupled software components and services, a target market for the B2MML specification.  B2MML V7 supports the definition of event classes, and then the exchange of event information as operations events occur.  

B2MML V7 also includes a Master Data Profile schema, derived from the ISA TR95.01 Master Data Profile Template, allowing for the exchange of configuration information in a single file. A single B2MML Master Data Profile document can be imported by multiple applications, reducing the time, effort, and errors associated with integration projects. 

Because of the changes in the ISA-95 specification, B2MML V7 is not fully backward compatible with Version 6, but the changes are minor. These include the new Testing Model and changes to a few attribute names, mostly related to Hierarchy Scope and Locations.  B2MML users are encouraged to pick up B2MML V7 from the MESA web site at https://www.pathlms.com/mesa/courses/26161.    

Bio: Dennis Brandl is the Chief Consultant for BR&L consulting, specializing in Manufacturing IT and Flexible Manufacturing solutions.  He has been involved in MES, batch control, and automation system design and implementation in a wide range of applications over the past 30 years.  Dennis is an active member of the ISA 95 Enterprise/Control System Integration committee, the ISA 99 Cyber System Security committee, and the IEC/ISO Smart Manufacturing Working Group, and a regular contributor to industry magazines.  Mr. Brandl has a BS in Physics and an MS in Measurement and Control from Carnegie-Mellon University, and a MS in Computer Science from California State University.

B2MML Topic Floods MESA’s Top 50 Resources of 2014

By Dave Emerson, MESA XML Committee Chair

Business to Manufacturing Markup Language (B2MML) showed up in several spots on MESA’s Top 50 Downloads of 2014. But why?

A company’s operational IT landscape usually consists of many different systems with each one serving one or more functions. These systems were often purchased by different groups, at different times, from different suppliers, using similar data in different formats for different purposes, some may be managed by a manufacturing operations group with others managed by corporate IT. Taken together these systems are critical for a company’s manufacturing operations.

Top 50 MESA Downloads of 2014: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Manufacturing Operations Management, and More…

By Maryanne Steidinger, Americas Board Member of MESA and volunteer on MESA’s Marketing Committee

Over the past 25+ years, MESA International has produced an incredible amount of information covering real issues and real needs of the manufacturing community. From Guidebooks to Best Practices to Reporting Methodologies, if you have a question on what/why/how for manufacturing solutions, MESA likely has the answer. We wanted to share this wealth of work with our blogging community, and with that in mind, show you the top 50 downloads from the MESA.org website over the past year:

CoC in B2MML September 19 in San Francisco, California

Get a Certificate of Competency in B2MML

September 19 in San Francisco, California

Where:

Click this link to download a Logistics sheet with additional information about this program

This program will be taught by Dennis Brandl, MESA Approved Instructor (MAI).

Premium Member Fee:  1,250 USD
Basic/Non-Member Fee: 1,875 USD

 

Register today.



Did you know that premium manufacturing/producer members of MESA International can use their membership dues as credit towards GEP training? That can mean up to $10,000 in savings for large-sized enterprise members. Contact us to learn more.

Need help convincing your boss? Here's a sales sheet that talks about the benefits of knowing what MESA knows...

Press Release: MESA International's Global Education Program announces first date of B2MML & Integration Fundamentals Program

One-day course focuses on business-to-manufacturing integration

CHANDLER, ARIZ., June 26, 2013 - MESA International is offering its first ever B2MML & Integration Fundamentals program on September 9, 2013 in Raleigh, NC. The one-day course will cover the fundamentals in plant-to-enterprise integration using B2MML and ISA-95 standards, and offers participants a MESA Certificate of Competency for successful completion. Integration of business systems to shop floor systems can be a complex, time consuming task, but applying the best practices as identified in the ISA-95 standard, and the MESA B2MML implementation of the standard, can help manufacturers significantly reduce the risk, cost, and time of an integration project. This new class will help companies that are thinking about plant-to-enterprise integration projects identify the best path forward - showing them the potential pitfalls in the integration process and how to avoid them. This class is intended for those starting, thinking about or currently supporting an integration project. It covers all of the important aspects of integration, and also highlights how real users of the B2MML standard have used it to completely automate ERP to MES integration. "The MESA Global Education Program arms companies and individuals with best practices and working knowledge to safely and effectively leverage today's software-based solutions to drive real value for their business," said Mike Yost, President, MESA International. "Our goal is to educate companies and individuals within the industry on "how" and "why" to use Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions in their production operations. When it comes to plant-to-enterprise integration projects, this is clearly a need. The B2MML & Integration Fundamentals program is an important step in MESA's efforts to address that need for the industry." To learn more about the course, visit:http://www.mesa.org/en/globaleducationprogram/B2MMLCoC.asp    To register for this class, visit: http://www.mesa.org/en/globaleducationprogram/dateslocations.asp?_mid_=20420. Space is limited - so sign up today to reserve your seat. The course is also available as a private, in-house program. For more information about holding an in-house program for your company or industry group, please contact Nancy Kolling at Nancy@MESA.org.    ###    About MESA International MESA International (Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association) is a global not-for-profit industry association dedicated to improving outcomes for businesses and their people through the use of manufacturing information. MESA is comprised of manufacturers, producers, solution providers, and industry thought leaders collaborating to formulate practical strategies to turn plant-floor data into valuable knowledge for enterprise success. We do this by: Collecting, sharing, and publishing best practices to help drive greater productivity and the overall profitability of the manufacturing enterprise. Over 800 webcasts, guidebooks, whitepapers, studies, and surveys are available for download in our Resource Library.  Educating professionals through our IACET-accredited MESA Global Education Program (GEP). Facilitating collaboration among members in over 40 countries who connect, contribute, cultivate understanding, and exchange strategies to drive business results through real-time enterprise and Plant to Enterprise (P2E) integration. Creating partnerships with other industry associations and experts like the World Batch Forum (WBF). Our 2012 merger broadens our knowledge of ISA-95 related standards like B2MML, and ISA-88 related standards like BatchML. The bottom line?  Members benefit from knowing what MESA knows.

Contact:
DeAnn Fedyski
MESA International 
480.893.6883
deann@mesa.org

Press Release: MESA's North American Conference is Launch Venue for Tata Consultancy Services’ Plant in a Box

New Offering Uses MESA Best Practices with Aim to Improve Software Outcomes for Manufacturing Industries

 

Greenville, SC, April 22, 2013 – MESA International (MESA) is pleased to announce Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) launched its first Plant in a Box (PIB) offering during the MESA 2013 North American Conference today. MESA’s community focuses on best practices for successful software implementation and TCS states that this new offering leverages such models as MESA’s B2MML and ISA 95. TCS says this offering is intended to help manufacturers rapidly set up, operate, optimize, and replicate lean manufacturing plant business systems. For companies moving production facilities close to their target markets, enabling quick and effective ramp-up of new facilities is critical to success. The offering will initially focus on the Automotive Industry – both OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, with the intention to extend the solution to other discrete and process industries down the road.

“We are delighted that TCS has chosen MESA’s North American Conference as the venue to launch this new offering,” said MESA President Michael Yost. “Our members need to see new and evolving solutions as they come to market and understand how they can most successfully and reliably leverage them. MESA encourages companies to contribute to the conversations shaping how modern Information Technologies enhance production operations, and that’s what TCS has done here today.”

TCS is a Gold Keystone Sponsor of MESA International and a sponsor of the Business Forum at MESA’s 2013 North American Conference. The PIB offering includes both commercial enterprise software and Process Framework that rests on a set of models specific to automotive needs. The intention of the models is to help optimize the plant and supply chain and better ensure the enterprise software implementation results in the desired business outcomes.

“Implementing the TCS PIB solution will provide customers with better opportunities to enable a performance-driven plant with visibility to performance driven by key performance indicators (KPIs). With that advantage, they can improve on the key metrics that MESA identifies in its Metrics and Performance Management research: time to market, market share, costs, and return on investment,” said Sanjay Karve, Head of the Innovation and Transformation Group at TCS.

At the core of PIB are a plant management model, detailed business processes and KPIs for lean operations realized on an enterprise software platform. PIB also includes interface models for effective interaction with supplier, customer and shop-floor systems. The software included has pre-configured processes, scenarios, reports, collaboration, and integration to select MES and PLM systems. PIB combined with TCS’ Manufacturing Operations Transformation (MOT) methodology is intended to allow customers to rapidly deploy standardized processes and systems in a plant and enable quick value creation.

 

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About MESA International

MESA International (Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association) is a global not-for-profit industry association dedicated to improving outcomes for businesses and their people through the use of manufacturing information. MESA is comprised of manufacturers, producers, solution providers, and industry thought leaders collaborating to formulate practical strategies to turn plant-floor data into valuable knowledge for enterprise success. We do this by:
 •Collecting, sharing, and publishing best practices to help drive greater productivity and the overall profitability of the manufacturing enterprise. Over 800 webcasts, guidebooks, whitepapers, studies, and surveys are available for download in our Resource Library.
•Educating professionals through our IACET-accredited MESA Global Education Program (GEP).
 •Facilitating collaboration among members in over 40 countries who connect, contribute, cultivate understanding, and exchange strategies to drive business results through real-time enterprise and Plant to Enterprise (P2E) integration.
 •Creating partnerships with other industry associations and experts like the World Batch Forum (WBF). Our 2012 merger broadens our knowledge of ISA-95 related standards like B2MML, and ISA-88 related standards like BatchML.
The bottom line? Members benefit from knowing what MESA knows.

About Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS)

Tata Consultancy Services is an IT services, consulting and business solutions organization that delivers real results to global business, ensuring a level of certainty no other firm can match. TCS offers a consulting-led, integrated portfolio of IT, BPO,infrastructure, engineering and assurance services. This is delivered through its unique Global Network Delivery Model™, recognized as the benchmark of excellence in software development. A part of the Tata group, India’s largest industrial conglomerate, TCS has over 276,000 of the world’s best-trained consultants in 44 countries. The company generated consolidated revenues of US $11.6 billion for year ended March 31, 2013 and is listed on the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange in India. For more information, visit us at www.tcs.com.