The HMC method
Forward-deployed. Floor-first. ERP-ready.
Most ERP projects start in a conference room. Ours start at the shear. Our engineers embed with your team, learn how you actually make parts, and configure your ERP and MES to match. Epicor is our deepest integration, but it's optional: we work with any API-first ERP. That's how onboarding goes faster and the floor actually adopts it.
How an engagement runs
Four phases. One team, on your floor.
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1
Walk the floor
We follow material from receiving dock to shipping: how sheets are stored, how jobs get released, how labor gets recorded, where paper and spreadsheets fill the gaps.
We do
- On-site process walk with operators and leads
- Rack, bin and work-center inventory
- Review of your current ERP setup or plan
You get
- Current-state process map
- Prioritized list of gaps and quick wins
- A clear scope and plan
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2
Map it to your ERP
We translate how you actually build into your ERP, using our tools to configure Methods of Manufacturing: part classes, operations, resources, materials, warehouses, bins and labor. On Epicor or any API-first ERP. Configured once, correctly, so the data downstream is clean.
We do
- Methods of Manufacturing with HMC configuration tools
- Warehouse, bin and location model
- Integration design for MES ↔ ERP ↔ machines
You get
- Your ERP configured to your process
- Every rack and bin mapped
- A data model your floor can trust
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3
Build and deploy
We build your MES and inventory screens in short cycles and put them in operators' hands on real jobs. Feedback goes in, the next release goes out.
We do
- Custom MES and inventory apps
- Salvagnini machine-event integration
- 3D weld guidance from SolidWorks
- 3D storage maps and labels
- Operator training at the station
You get
- Real-time labor, material and machine data
- Screens your operators asked for
- Go-live with people who were there
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4
Run and improve
With clean data flowing, we add the multipliers: dashboards, leaderboards, applied AI, and the control plane that keeps it all secure. We stay on as your technology partner.
We do
- Ops dashboards and leaderboards
- AI for documents, planning and search
- Cloud security and operations
You get
- Visible throughput, shift by shift
- Less manual entry and rework
- A partner who knows your floor
Why forward-deployed
The difference is where the work happens.
| Typical implementation | HMC | |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery | Workshops and questionnaires | On the floor with operators |
| Process fit | Bend your process to the software | Your ERP configured to how you build, MES for the rest |
| Shop-floor UX | Generic ERP screens | Custom stations for each work center |
| ERP choice | Locked to one platform | Epicor-native, or any API-first ERP |
| Machines | Manual counts | Salvagnini events streamed live |
| Inventory | Bin codes in a list | 3D maps of every rack and remnant |
| Metal expertise | Industry-agnostic | Built for sheet, plate and fabrication |
| After go-live | Ticket queue | Ongoing technology partner |
FAQ
Questions operations leaders ask us.
Do we have to use Epicor?
No. Epicor is optional. If you run Epicor, it can be your system of record and we integrate deeply with it. If you run another ERP with an API, we integrate with that instead. Same MES, inventory and leaderboards either way.
We're already live on Epicor. Is it too late?
Not at all. Many shops come to us after go-live, when the floor is still on paper or spreadsheets. We work with your existing configuration and fill the gaps with MES and inventory tools that post back to Epicor.
We're still evaluating or mid-implementation. Can you help?
Yes, and this is where forward deployment pays off most. Getting parts, methods, bins and labor modeled correctly up front avoids the rework that stalls go-lives.
Does this replace our ERP?
No. Your ERP, whether Epicor or another API-first system, stays the system of record for jobs, inventory, costing and financials. HMC builds the shop-floor layer on top and keeps the two in sync.
What kinds of manufacturers do you work with?
Metal manufacturers: sheet metal fabricators, plate and structural shops, enclosures, HVAC and equipment makers. If you cut, punch, form, weld or assemble metal, we speak your language.
Which machines do you connect to?
We integrate with Salvagnini equipment to capture machine events (cycles, part counts, alarms, state changes) and stream them to the cloud and into your MES and dashboards.
Where does the software run?
In your cloud or ours, on GCP, AWS or Azure, managed through our security control plane with SSO, secrets management and a full audit trail.
Next step
Ready when you are.
Tell us about your shop, your machines and your ERP. We'll come walk the floor.