User Reviews
WIPtrac by Santa Barbara Analysis
USER REVIEWS - All reviews
Purchased Date: June 01, 2003
VP of Operations, Global Communication Semiconductors
April 14, 2009
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Pros
WIPtrac is a very intuitive MES system that is straightforward to implement. I was directly involved with configuration and deployment in a 24x5 wafer fab running multiple process flows of about 15 layers each. We also implemented Wiptrac for singulation, sort, wafer acceptance, and subassembly operations. The entire implementation team consisted of two people (only one of them full time) and required about 9 months. WIPtrac strikes a perfect balance between flexibility/configurability and rigidness (which is at times very desirable from a Production software program).
Cons
WIPtrac does not have as many features as some more expensive MES systems, although it has been a few years since I used and it this may have improved. On the other hand, the WIPtrac team was extremely responsive in adding features. They never charged us for any addition that they felt improved the product overall.
Overall
For the money I am unaware of a comparable product. After implementing WIPtrac our fab was paperless and therefore could implement document changes instantaneously to intercept in-process wafers. Our users found WIPtrac very easy to use and were very appreciative for how it facilitated communication across our shifts.
Purchased Date: N/A
Fab Operations manager, Luminus
April 08, 2009
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Pros
I learned it without any substantial help.
Tech support response has been quick.
Cons
Counters/triggers for maintenance are limited
Overall
This product has met our needs.
Purchased Date: July 01, 2008
Engineering technician, Quicksil
April 06, 2009
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Pros
?? Easy to configure and even easier to maintain.
?? The technical support has been great. Any problems or questions are addressed in no time.
?? Brings visibility to daily thru put, rejects, reworks, equipment issues, and process problems.
?? The SPC and data collection is very useful. It can trigger the shut down of processes and alert the Engineers. The real-time charts and graphs are very impotant.
?? Calculates cycle times and predicts ship dates.
?? Simply runs in the Web Browser.
?? Lot locations or lot history instantly.
?? Upload documents, specs, and pictures or video to any operation.
?? In-line process parameters (tech-specs) can be changed on the fly.
?? The flexibility is great. You can split or merge lots, force out of sequence operations, skip steps, roll back steps, future holds, and allows for reworks.
Cons
Overall
wiptrac has been great for our company. It can be simple or as detailed as you would like to make it. It runs in the web browser so anyone in the company can use it. Being able to get real-time information is very useful for everyone from the operators to the CEO.
Purchased Date: June 01, 2007
WIPtrac Administrator, THAT Corporation
March 25, 2009
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Pros
Browser based 99% of people know how to navigate in a browser. Easy to use new hires can be shown quickly how to check in & out of their operations. Mostly intuitive. Openness use you design the system the way you want you are not tied into a certain Operation numbering scheme. Tech support has been great although seldom used. SBA has been open to suggestions for future enhancements
Cons
None come to mind
Overall
Highly recommended
Purchased Date: August 01, 2007
Production Manager, THAT Corporation
March 25, 2009
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Pros
Process Travelers are displayed from start to finish with the current manufacturing step highlighted. The WIP, Activity, Rejects, etc. reports have various filters and can be exported to excel. The MES data/reports are accurate, intuitive and transparent. The user interfaces, from administrative to operator levels, are well though out and intuitive. SBA provides extremely good pre-&-post sale customer and technical support.
Cons
We have process travelers that can easily exceed 200 steps. It would help in terms of screen regeneration time and minimizing operator mouse clicks if the operator user interface would only display the current process step along with a dozen or so steps before and after.
Overall
We finished the full conversion to WIPTrac late January 2008. Prior to that it took us many months to design and define the system. (SBA was very patient!) In general we are very pleased with SBA's continued support and highly recommend WIPTrac.
Purchased Date: June 01, 2007
VP Fab Operations, THAT Corporation
March 24, 2009
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Pros
Easy to use; very intuitive
Very flexible; can be used for R&D and Production purposes simultaneously.
Excellent Customer Support; fast and effective.
Easy to maintain.
Cost!
Cons
SPC package is lacking some features.
SECs interface capability not yet available.
Overall
This is an excellent MES package for small to medium sized wafer fabs and laboratory type applications.
