According to Akitoshi (Tony) Sugiura, assistant general manager of Morinaga, OpenBatch was first implemented in March to control formulation, blending and cooking of a Kraft process cheese for McDonald’s, whose market is expanding in Japan. The system currently produces up to 48 batches per day, blending ingredients supplied from eight tanks.
After evaluating several batch-control software packages, Morinaga selected OpenBatch because it complies with S88, “gives us much flexibility” and integrates with Morinaga’s own Windows NT-based STAGEONE user-oriented process control system, which requires no programming. STAGE ONE allows engineers and operators to create and control their own process control, human-machine interface (HMI) and data logging systems, and integrates with the company’s ERP system.