ToolLink – Data. Sourcing. Simplified.

Data sourcing and preparation on demand

ToolLink is software-as-a-service for manufacturing companies:

• With the need for digital twins of cutting tools
.
• with requirements that go übeyond what ToolsUnited can deliver
.

ToolLink üapplies the concept of VMI (Vendor Managed Inventory) to the digital factory.

We call it Vendor Managed Tool Data.

Capturing product data from suppliers is a time-consuming and cumbersome process that puts additional strain on the relationship between you and your suppliers.
Although companies try to benefit from international data standards and involve their suppliers in the enrichment process, success is limited for various
reasons.

To simplify this process, CIMSOURCE offers the ToolLink supplier portal. This allows suppliers to add or update data directly as needed without sending countless Excel spreadsheets back and forth. A single communication channel between you and your suppliers based on harmonized standards simplifies the data supply chain. ToolLink puts the cleansing and enrichment process in the hands of suppliers and provides a way to validate product information before it is sent to your company. This means that you only have to deal with information that matches your requirements.

Suppliers fairly request with standards
Suppliers are provided with requirements based on generally accepted standards. You also enable your suppliers to access the data to be provided via ToolLink. Input assistants support suppliers who are not familiar with DIN and ISO standards. Input is either guided üvia the interface or as a mass data import via Excel or
XML.

Assurance of data quality
Preset data checkers ücheck the data for compliance with conformity classes, graphic standards and individually defined mandatory fields. After a visual check, the data can then be transferred directly into the consumer system (tool management, NC simulation, etc.).

Data security
ToolLink is set up as a cloud solution in a data center with the highest security standards near you. This means that access is protected in the best possible way for both you and the suppliers.

ToolLink offers

• Simplified processes for data retrieval and preparation
.
• Improved data quality according to international standards
.
• integrated access to the ToolsUnited database
.
• Workflow engine for direct and responsible supplier communication
.
• An interactive user interface for suppliers who are not familiar with the standards
.

Supply page (tool supplier)
Subscription mask für the registration with ToolLink in a separate area in each case. Privacy mechanisms ensure that each supplier can only see his own data.

Data Entry Wizard
Each supplier can choose which standard he wants to use for the maintenance of his data. The name of the desired standard, including its explanation, is displayed. The data can be entered or corrected via the user interface. Mass data processing üvia Excel is also
possible.

Control of data visibility
The supplier can decide whether he wants to provide the data „only“ for the ToolLink of the respective customer or also for the öpublic ToolsUnited database.

Ächange history
The supplier can add to or change his data at any time. For each data record (tool item), ToolLink keeps the ¨change history.

Demand side (tool user)
These functions are used to specify and manage data requests. Supplier management Manage supplier contact information, including predefined e-mail texts for efficient communication.

Data requirement determination
Upload function for Excel lists with the desired tool items (gross requirement). ToolLink matches the data requests with the content of ToolsUnited. Items that are not found in the ToolsUnited database or do not meet the quality requirements are to be procured from the respective suppliers (net requirement).

Treatment of special tools
For special tools (tools that cannot be specified via DIN or ISO properties), the geometric data are requested in standard formats (STEP; DXF) and checked for conformity with DIN/ISO.

Workflow engine
Keeps track of data requests and deliveries. Open and closed requests are displayed, and the status of requests in process is managed.

Quality Monitor
A data checker checks data for consistency against user-specified
quality guidelines. 2D and 3D graphics are also checked. In cases where the requirements are not met, ToolLink rejects the data set. The supplier concerned receives an error log and instructions on what needs to be changed to pass the quality gate.

Rule Editor
ToolLink offers standard rule sets for data import according to DIN/ISO and some specific rule sets for different target systems (Tool Management, CAM, NC Simulation,…). All requirements that go beyond the scope of these rule sets can be specified via the rule editor. Translated with DeepL