Catalyst xM™ provides a controlled system for the automation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). SOPs define the interaction between People, Systems and Plant Floor Processes and are comprised of an event that initiates work and a response, the execution of the work. Catalyst xM™ automates critical event detection and executes Action Plans in response to their occurrence. Automating SOPs provides many benefits:

• Ensures compliance to SOP
• Provides traceability and accountability
• Improves operational productivity
• Reduces resource requirements
• Captures manufacturing intelligence

Action Plans are the logical sequence of actions manufacturers define to optimally respond to the occurrence an event, whether the event is schedule based, manually triggered or automatically detected. Catalyst xM™ Action Plans are comprised of fully automated actions, logical elements, and user-driven actions so users can participate in Action Plans, as required, through an intuitive web portal (i.e. Microsoft SharePoint).

Catalyst xM™ has been designed to integrate with existing equipment and systems in order to provide event detection and action automation with open connectivity to a wide variety of equipment, devices, databases and manufacturing / enterprise systems. It empowers engineers without software development skills to create and implement Action Plans through an intuitive, visual designer.

Catalyst xM™ provides automated tools to monitor and solve operating problems while minimizing the demands on IT resources.

Automation of Action Plans provides manufacturers with several significant benefits. First and foremost, automation of Action Plans through a controlled electronic system provides compliance to standard operating procedures and action traceability to the user level. This closes the loop on continuous improvement efforts and prevents manufacturers from sliding back into a mode of ad hoc responses to critical exception events. Automated actions within Action Plans significantly reduce the resources and time required to execute and comply with Standard Operating Procedures. Creating Action Plans helps identify and eliminate non-value added actions and tedious work.

Action Plans help improve operational productivity in many ways. The impact of downtime events can be minimized by automating the detection of critical exception events, promptly notifying the appropriate personnel and automating the execution of diagnostic and corrective Action Plans. Error-proofing Action Plans executed on the occurrence of indicators can prevent the occurrence of exception events - providing a standardized response to critical SPC, APC or fault detection events. Product quality can be improved and yield loss minimized through Action Plans executed on the occurrence of product quality, process health and equipment health indicators.

Catalyst xM™ automatically captures event triggers, Action Plan execution and all related data, providing a wealth of Manufacturing Intelligence. This provides engineers with the data required to perform historical analysis of exception related events and Action Plans to support continuous improvement efforts.