// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM
Work-in-Process
Work-in-Process (WIP) refers to partially finished goods that are currently moving through the production line but are not yet completed products. It's the inventory between the start and end of production.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Work-in-Process (WIP) refers to partially completed goods that have begun the manufacturing process but have not yet reached the final finished product stage, representing inventory held between production steps.
BACKGROUND
The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as 4IR, Industry 4.0 or the Intelligence Age, is a neologism describing rapid technological advancement in the 21st century. It follows the Third Industrial Revolution. The term was popularized in 2016 by Klaus Schwab, the World Economic Forum founder and former executive chairman, who asserts that these developments represent a significant shift in industrial capitalism.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- WIP
- In-Process Inventory
- Partially Finished Goods
USAGE NOTE
High levels of WIP can indicate inefficiencies and tie up capital.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Work-in-Process.
Develops the Opcenter Manufacturing Execution System (MES), a software suite that provides real-time visibility and control over work-in-process. It enables manufacturers to track products, manage resources, and optimize production from raw material to finished goods.
Offers the DELMIA brand of software for manufacturing operations management. Its solutions, including Apriso, enable global manufacturers to track, manage, and optimize work-in-process in real-time across complex production environments.
Provides solutions for real-time asset visibility. Their portfolio includes RFID readers, barcode scanners, and mobile computers that enable manufacturers to accurately track the location, status, and movement of work-in-process materials on the factory floor.
Develops manufacturing execution systems (MES) like FactoryTalk ProductionCentre, which provide detailed work-in-process tracking, product genealogy, and quality management. Their solutions help manufacturers monitor and control production to reduce WIP and improve throughput.
Provides a frontline operations platform that allows manufacturers to create applications for managing shop floor processes. Their platform connects workers, machines, and sensors to provide real-time visibility and guidance for work-in-process, improving quality and traceability.
Develops industrial software, including Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and digital twin technology. Their solutions enable manufacturers to create a virtual model of their production processes to monitor, analyze, and optimize the flow of work-in-process.
Offers smart factory solutions that optimize material flow. Their systems, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and IoT-enabled conveyance systems, automate the transport of work-in-process between workstations, reducing bottlenecks and improving efficiency.
Provides an Industrial IoT platform that offers real-time visibility into physical operations. For manufacturing, this includes monitoring equipment health and production counts, which helps in managing and tracking the status of work-in-process across the production line.