FactoryLogix
By Aegis Industrial Software Corporation
FactoryLogix typical implementation process:
Initial Assessment and Planning: Aegis works with the client to assess factory needs, define project scope, and establish objectives. This phase helps determine which FactoryLogix modules and configurations are necessary for the specific manufacturing environment.
System Configuration: FactoryLogix is configured via its intuitive user interface (not through custom coding) to match workflows, processes, and reporting requirements. This often includes setting up process controls, digital work instructions, and traceability paths.
Integration with Existing Systems: The MES is integrated with ERP, IIoT, and machine-level systems using standard connectors and APIs to enable seamless data flow and resource sharing.
Pilot Deployment: The configured solution is rolled out in a limited, controlled area or production line to validate functionality, ensure user adoption, and address any site-specific issues.
Training and Change Management: Key users are trained to operate and administer FactoryLogix; this step ensures users maximize system value from day one.
Full Rollout: Following pilot success, FactoryLogix is deployed across additional lines, departments, or sites as per the project plan.
Highly Configurable Platform (Not Customization-Driven):
FactoryLogix is explicitly designed to adapt to different manufacturing environments through configuration, not coding-heavy customization. The system’s adaptability is referenced repeatedly, as it “supports any discrete manufacturing process not via customization but through configurability”.
The platform’s single code base is in use at over 2,200 sites worldwide, across various types of manufacturing, without unique customer-specific customization—underscoring its inherent flexibility and configurability.
Industry and Business Adaptability:
Case studies include companies in medical, avionics, electronics, and mission-critical manufacturing adopting “Best-In-Class” practices via FactoryLogix—suggesting versatility for regulated or complex environments.
Users can "quickly respond" to evolving regulatory requirements and changing customer demands thanks to the platform’s easy configurability.
Configurability, Not Endless Coding:
FactoryLogix distinguishes itself from competitors by avoiding the need for extensive custom engineering or toolkit-based development. Unlike other vendors that require a “massive investment” and “endless customization,” FactoryLogix lets customers “turn on” additional capabilities as needs evolve, making it modular and scalable over time.
“No coding” is required for adaptation—unlike legacy MES or 'zero code' IIoT tools that "just replaced actual software code with simplified coding," FactoryLogix enables adaptability through its user interface.
Real-World Client Outcomes Supporting Custom Fit:
Sparton leverages FactoryLogix to future-proof operations, with the platform easily adapting to changing requirements "without custom engineering".
IKOR rapidly deployed the platform across global operations and achieved quick time to value, due to “easy configurability without coding”.
Connor Solutions used the system to enable new business opportunities and gain “competitive advantage” by aligning with demanding industry requirements.
K2 achieved “digital evidence of risk mitigation measures” matched to their unique process needs, from design through shipping.
Modular System for Evolving Goals: The system is modular: manufacturers can start basic and gradually enable more advanced modules (e.g., paperless operations first, then tracking and traceability, then analytics), aligning with their own pace and specific business journey.
FactoryLogix offers a training and support ecosystem for new users, ensuring fast onboarding and robust ongoing assistance:
Self-Paced Online Training:
FactoryLogix provides a dedicated eLearning portal with self-service training. New users can register, confirm their details, and access a wide range of courses covering all aspects of the system at their own pace.
The training portal includes progress tracking, so users can revisit courses or pick up where they left off.
Multilingual Documentation and Guides:
All product documentation and training content are available in both English and German, with real-time online updates to ensure users always access the latest information.
The documentation includes detailed, searchable guides and practical tips for navigating the system efficiently.
Introductory Training Videos:
Video libraries are available for both new and returning users. These videos serve as introductions for new staff and refreshers for power users.
FactoryLogix implements a robust suite of security measures to safeguard manufacturing data, ensuring compliance with strict industry standards and regulatory requirements. Below are the notable security features:
Encrypted Communications
All network communications—between business logic servers, portal applications, and cloud servers—are encrypted using 128-bit security, providing strong protection for data in transit.
For IIoT data exchange, FactoryLogix supports the IPC-CFX messaging standard, with data encrypted at the source using TLS. This is particularly valuable for environments such as defense and aerospace, where end-to-end data integrity and confidentiality are critical.
Access Control & Authentication
Comprehensive user-access controls with role-based access ensure that only authorized individuals can access sensitive functions or data.
Multifactor authentication (MFA) is utilized, and integration with Active Directory is available to streamline user management and enhance security.
E-signature security: Confirming user actions and approvals, meeting standards like FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and ITAR.
Granular Traceability & Audit Trails
Every action is logged for audit readiness, creating a digital audit trail and full device history records (eDHR) for every product—essential for stringent compliance, such as FDA and ITAR environments.
Electronic signatures and process validation are enforced, with all operator activities fully tracked.
Cloud Security and Data Handling
FactoryLogix Online is hosted on Microsoft Azure Commercial Cloud or Azure Government Cloud (for ITAR data), ensuring compliance with region-specific and regulatory mandates.
Only trained, authorized Aegis staff may access customer data, and only when necessary. Every support-related file is used once and then permanently deleted (“No Lingering Diagnostics” principle).
Classification-specific (ITAR vs. non-ITAR) protections: Only U.S.-citizen staff can access ITAR-classified data, with all actions logged and cloud residency restrictions rigidly enforced.
Network Segmentation & Isolation
FactoryLogix maintains a proactive and user-centric approach to software updates, ensuring customers benefit from the latest features, improvements, and security updates with minimal administrative burden.
Regular Software Releases:
FactoryLogix issues updates frequently, including hot-fixes, minor updates, and major platform upgrades. All new releases are made available to customers who have valid maintenance agreements.
The frequency includes both scheduled major upgrades and as-needed hot-fixes, ensuring prompt delivery of critical patches and enhancements.
Automatic Client Updates: FactoryLogix uses a “smart client” deployment model, which enables the end-user software to self-update automatically whenever a new version is released on the server. This process eliminates the need for IT intervention at each client workstation.
Centralized Server-Side Updates: All update deployments are handled centrally from the server, with clients checking for and applying updates upon launch or as scheduled, keeping all workstations synchronized and current.
Admin Notifications: Administrators receive notifications regarding new releases, with detailed release notes outlining new features, enhancements, and bug fixes. This helps plan and coordinate upgrades, especially for validated environments.
FactoryLogix by Aegis Software has clear policies supporting both data ownership and data portability, focusing on customer control, secure traceability, and straightforward export capabilities:
Customer-Owned Data: FactoryLogix customers retain ownership of all manufacturing, product, traceability, and process data generated within their own MES environments. Access to this data, including sensitive traceability or compliance records, is controlled by the customer and not by third-party providers.
Data Security: Data is stored in a highly secure environment, often compliant with standards like IPC-1782A (traceability) and regulated frameworks (e.g., ITAR, FDA), ensuring that all customer-owned data is protected from unauthorized access or tampering.
Easy Extraction and Export: FactoryLogix is designed to make all traceability and shop-floor data quickly and reliably accessible for export or integration purposes. The system contextualizes data into a single, standardized format, eliminating ambiguity and ensuring ease of report generation and data transfer for auditing, compliance, or business integration needs.
Automated Data Export Tools: FactoryLogix provides built-in features like the “xStream: Scheduled Data Export,” which automatically transmits customer-selected data to third-party or legacy systems in widely supported electronic formats, such as XML or CSV, on a scheduled basis. This function supports data migration and system interoperability without expensive customization.
System-to-System Integration: Through features like “xTend: System-to-System Integration,” customers can exchange data files (e.g., with ERP, PLM systems) for process continuity and business intelligence, further enabling effective data portability.
Automatic Renewal:
FactoryLogix contracts (such as software licenses or maintenance agreements) typically include an automatic renewal clause. The agreement renews for an additional term equal to the original contract period unless proper non-renewal notice is provided.
Renewal terms, prices, and any changes are often pre-specified in the initial agreement, but there is typically an option for renegotiation prior to renewal.
Notice of Non-Renewal: Either party can avoid automatic renewal by providing advance written notice of non-renewal—commonly 90 days prior to the contract’s expiration, but the specific notice period should be confirmed in your agreement.
Termination for Breach:
Either party can terminate the agreement if the other party materially breaches its terms and fails to cure the breach within a defined period (often 30 days after written notice).
Upon termination for breach, licenses and rights to use FactoryLogix software cease immediately, and the customer must discontinue use and remove the software from all systems.
Most standard agreements do not allow for mid-term termination without cause unless this is specially negotiated in the contract; this means early cancellation might not be possible or may incur fees if the contract specifies.
Contracts may specify the customer’s rights to retrieve or migrate data upon contract termination or expiration. It's important to confirm these terms before signing.
Payment and Obligations:
Any outstanding fees become immediately due upon contract expiration or termination for any reason.
Both parties are typically required to return or destroy confidential information belonging to the other party after the contract ends.
Service Continuity and Upgrades: Support services and software upgrades are contingent on an active contract; cancellation or non-renewal results in the cessation of these services.
FactoryLogix software is engineered to support a wide range of industry and regulatory compliance standards, making it suitable for manufacturers in highly regulated sectors such as medical devices, aerospace, defense, and electronics. Here are the key compliance standards and protocols FactoryLogix meets:
FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (Electronic Records & Signatures): FactoryLogix enforces secure electronic signatures and comprehensive audit trails, supporting full compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for electronic records and signatures in life sciences and medical device manufacturing environments.
ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations): The system is designed to protect ITAR-classified data, with features including strict access controls, role segregation, and data residency enforcement (e.g., Azure Government Cloud for ITAR data), ensuring compliance for U.S. defense and aerospace customers.
IPC Standards:
Supports IPC-CFX (Connected Factory Exchange) for secure IIoT messaging and interoperability on the factory floor.
Enables traceability to meet IPC-1782, critical for electronics manufacturing traceability and regulatory audit readiness.
GAMP5 (Good Automated Manufacturing Practice): FactoryLogix supports validation methodologies such as GAMP5, enabling customers to validate systems as required in regulated industries like pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
ISO 9001 / ISO 13485: FactoryLogix architecture and workflow capabilities help manufacturers achieve and maintain ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certification by supporting robust process control, document management, nonconformance tracking, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.
Electronic Device History Record (eDHR): Automatically generates and maintains electronic device history records to provide full product traceability and meet regulatory requirements in medical and high-reliability manufacturing.
Audit Support: All activities are logged and easily reported, with electronic signatures and full traceability, making audit preparation fast and transparent for regulators.
