MERLIN can be used with highly automated lines, such as robotic systems, or with legacy machines, helping lean teams root out process inefficiencies and human errors

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 4, 2013 — (PRNewswire) —  Based on its recent analysis of the machine monitoring systems market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Memex Automation [TSX-V: OEE] with the 2013 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation Leadership for its flagship product, Manufacturing Execution Real-time Lean Information Network (MERLIN). MERLIN is an integrated hardware and software product suite that enables lean manufacturing through management and monitoring of equipment efficiency. MERLIN pinpoints bottlenecks in machine cells in real time, allowing plant operators to extract optimum efficiency from each manufacturing process.

MERLIN's distinguishing feature is its high level of flexibility and interoperability. It can be used in any kind of manufacturing set-up and with any kind of machine – completely automated, semi-automated, and/or with legacy machines.

MERLIN bi-directionally connects the equipment on the shop floor with any enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. It can be easily integrated and installed using Microsoft standard software tools and an MS-SQL enterprise database, which can be mined enterprise-wide, and its data uploaded to other business intelligence tools.

"MERLIN's implementation time and costs are modest, and delivers significant value in the form of data analysis and visualization of capacity utilization," said Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Atin Angrish. "Succinct reports are provided automatically and directly from the shop floor to the management using predefined parameters, eliminating the need for manual data collection, analysis and delivery of results."

MERLIN provides unrivaled value by increasing customers' productivity levels and simultaneously reducing their downtime. Most customers report a 20 per cent to 50 per cent improvement in productivity, but in some cases, customers even reported productivity levels reaching 100 per cent.

Most importantly, Memex Automation is able to price its products almost 150 per cent to 200 per cent lower than the other competing products. This is made possible by MERLIN's adoption of standardized machine-to-machine (M2M) communication protocols and software based on reliable database technologies.

"Memex Automation's solution is innovative because it breaks away into three important directions which are different from the usual 'patch-and-hack' methods that are currently adopted by manufacturing firms" noted Angrish. "MERLIN offers: 1) a standardized machine-to-machine connection; 2) a real-time standardized rationalization of the data from any asset to measure capacity utilization; and 3) a standardized software approach that bi-directionally and objectively integrates an individual machine's data into the management's information systems."

MERLIN is mostly aimed at tier two and tier three companies. Tier one companies already have integrated and interconnected plants in place. Memex mainly focuses on the segments of the discrete manufacturing sector that requires a wide range of applications, such as automotive, aerospace, piping, precision machining and defense manufacturing.

MERLIN enables companies to monitor and manage asset utilization, measure productivity and labor utilization, as well as assess capacity utilization of machines, cells, assembly areas, and the overall plant.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry

Frost & Sullivan presents the award for Technology Innovation and Leadership to the company that has demonstrated uniqueness in developing a technology that significantly impacts both the functionality and the customer value of new products and applications. The award lauds the relevance of the innovation to the industry.

About Memex Automation, Inc.

Memex Automation [TSX-V:OEE] is the leader in real-time shop-floor-to-top-floor technology solutions. Memex's flagship product MERLIN delivers Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) metrics in real-time, enabling manufacturers to enhance production and increase income and profits from operations. Since 1992, Memex has partnered with 280 dealers worldwide to provide a variety of manufacturing connectivity products and services to over 12,000 customers globally. For sales information, call +1 (905) 635-1540, email Email Contact, or visit http://www.memex.ca.

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