Exploring the POD Framework

The Production Operator Dashboard (POD) is a crucial tool in SAP Digital Manufacturing, serving as the main interface between the shop floor operator and the application that houses all the manufacturing data. This dashboard is designed to be highly flexible and configurable, eliminating the need for custom code enhancements.

The POD is a modular platform, allowing for plugin layouts that can be tailored to specific needs. This means that system owners can customize their dashboard to best suit the needs of production operators, enhancing efficiency and productivity.

One of the primary functions of the POD is to process products that are being manufactured on the shop floor. It provides operators with real-time data and insights into the manufacturing process, enabling them to make informed decisions and take immediate action when necessary.

The POD also allows operators to record their production work. This feature is crucial for tracking progress, maintaining quality control, and identifying areas for improvement. It uses shop floor controls (SFCs) to represent each unit that the operator works on. These SFCs provide a clear overview of the status of each unit, from the start of the production process to its completion.

The POD framework consists of different UI elements. The most important ones will be explained in the following text.

In the POD Designer, plugins play a crucial role in creating tailored PODs that suit various manufacturing processes. The Plugins area of the POD Designer interface enables users to select from a variety of plugins and conveniently drag them onto desired layout elements within the canvas, providing a seamless design experience.

Plugins in the POD Designer are categorized into two main types: execution plugins and view plugins. Understanding the differences and applications of each type is essential for effective POD design.

Execution Plugins: These plugins are designed to perform specific actions without providing any user interface components. Their primary function is to carry out transactions with a back-end service, which is critical for the seamless operational flow within the POD. Common execution plugins include Start, Complete, and Sign Off, which are essential for initiating and concluding various stages of the manufacturing process. It is important to note that execution plugins can only be assigned to either an Action Button or a Menu Button within the POD layout.

View Plugins: Unlike execution plugins, view plugins include user interface components that are essential for displaying information and interacting with the user. These plugins are organized in a structured manner to enhance user experience and usability. Within a POD, view plugins can be configured to appear either in a designated fixed layout area or as a popup, depending on the needs of the application and the desired user interaction.

See the following Data Collection List plugin in a POD:

In addition to the types of plugins, it is also important to understand the instance capabilities of plugins within the POD Designer:

Single-Instance Plugins: These plugins are designed to be configured only once within a POD. They maintain a consistent set of configurations throughout the POD, ensuring uniformity and simplicity in execution. Single-instance plugins are suitable for functions that do not require multiple configurations or variations within the same POD.

Multi-Instance Plugins: In contrast to single-instance plugins, multi-instance plugins can be configured multiple times within the same POD. This feature allows for varied configurations on different layout elements or in different sections of the POD. Multi-instance plugins are ideal for complex manufacturing processes where different configurations are needed to handle varied tasks or conditions.

A complete list of all standard plugins can be found here.

Horizontal or Vertical Toolbars

Horizontal or vertical toolbars are used to display buttons on them. In the screenshot above, the toolbar is the area highlighted by the blue box. Let's now learn about the buttons within the toolbar.

Buttons

You can interact with your POD through Action, Menu, or the Navigation Buttons. Let's learn more about these three different buttons.

1. Action Buttons

   Action Buttons serve as triggers for plugins, production processes, or transactions. It is possible to assign one or more actions to each button through the POD Designer. Upon choosing an Action Button, all associated actions will be carried out in the sequence they were assigned.

2. Navigation Buttons

   Navigation Buttons are designed to allow users to move between pages within their POD. Each Navigation Button will display a different page in the POD that has been assigned to it.

3. Menu Buttons

   Menu Buttons are used to open a dropdown menu listing all plugins, production processes, or transactions linked to that button. From this menu, you can select the action you wish to initiate. Navigation Buttons are designed to allow users to move between pages within their POD. Each Navigation Button will display a different page in the POD that has been assigned to it.

Plugin Container

For your Production Operator Dashboard (POD), you can utilize a Plugin Container to incorporate plugins.

The Plugin Container feature allows for the addition of several plugins. However, only one plugin can be designated as the default one to launch the instance the POD opens. For simultaneous loading of multiple plugins, simply add another Plugin Container onto the canvas and drag a plugin into it, as demonstrated in the attached illustration. Here, you can see two Plugin Containers filled with plugins.

Boxes:

You can configure a vertical or horizontal box to hold other layout elements in a vertical orientation, such as a Plugin Container, Dynamic Side Content, and an Icon Tab Bar.

Icon Tab Bar:

You can launch a plugin within a separate tab, via the Icon Tab Bar Navigation. The navigation between different plugins is streamlined with the use of Icon Tab Bars. These bars can hold various tabs, with each tab being capable of displaying one or more plugins. The tabs can be configured for each plugin to be represented by either an icon or text for easier navigation.