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How do I build a hierarchy?

This article explains how to create a Work Centre hierarchy using the Plant Config settings. It describes how to structure the system from Plant to Business Unit, Facility, Area, and Work Centre, enabling better reporting, organization of production locations, and user access control. The guide walks through the manual setup process and explains key configuration settings used when creating Areas.

 

 

Example hierarchy structure

 

Level Example Description
Plant Country (US, UK) The top level of the hierarchy
Business Unit City Groups facilities within a location
Facility Factory building (Building A, Building B) The physical factory building
Area Production area A production section within the facility
Work Centre Production line or machine group The operational unit

With this structure you can, for example:

  • Run reports for one specific factory.

  • Compare all factories across countries.

  • Restrict a user to only see the Area they work in.

 Tip: User access can be restricted to a specific part of the hierarchy.

 

Create the hierarchy

All hierarchy levels are configured in System Settings → Manager → Plant Config.

The structure must be created from the top level down.

Step 1 – Create a Plant

1. Go to System Settings → Manager.

OEE manager

2. Select "Plant Config".
3. Click "Plant".
4. Click the "Add New" icon.

plant

5. Enter a Plant Name (example: US).
6. Set Active = Yes if the plant should be available.
7. Click Save.

plant1

Step 2 – Create a Business Unit

In this example, the Business Unit represents the city.

1. Stay in Plant Config.
2. Select "Business Unit".
3. Click the "Add New" icon.

Business

 

4. Enter a Business Unit Name (example: Chicago).
5. Select the Plant the Business Unit belongs to.
6. Set Active = Yes.
7. Click Save.

Business2

Step 3 – Create a Facility

A Facility represents the factory building.

1. Stay in Plant Config.
2. Select "Facility".
3. Click the "Add New" icon.

Facility

4. Enter a Facility Name (example: Building A).
5. Select the Business Unit the Facility belongs to.
6. Leave Display Sequence
7. Set Active = Yes.
8. Set VSM = None
9. Click Save.

facility3

Step 4 – Create an Area

An Area represents the physical production location within the facility.

1. In system settings
2. Stay in Plant Config
3. Select "Area".
4. Click the "Add New" icon.

area

5. Enter an Area Name.
6. Select the Facility the Area belongs to.
7. Enter the Day Start Time.
Day Start Time - The Day Start Time defines when a Shift Date begins.
This typically matches the production day start time.

8. Set Active = Yes.
9. Display Sequence determines the order in which Work Centres appear in Plant Watch.
10. Import Delay, Leave this set to the default value 0.

11. Short Stops Limit is measured in milliseconds.

Example:

  • 60,000 milliseconds (1 minute)

Any stop shorter than this value will be classified as a short stop and operators will not be prompted to reassign it.

12. Startup Rejects Limit, Leave this set to the default value 0.
13. Click "Save".

area settings

Next step

After creating the hierarchy, the next step is to connect a Work Centre to the Area.

You are charged per Work Centre, not per user. This means that the number of users does not affect the cost, only the number of Work Centres. A valid license is required for each Work Centre, and adding one without the necessary license will result in system access being restricted. 

If a new  Work Centre license is required. Always contact your Account Manager before proceeding. In many cases, assistance is needed to connect the machine to the system.