Enable faster user changes and shared terminals using badges in SAP Digital Manufacturing

[ManoelCosta]

Introduction

In 24.08 Release, SAP Digital Manufacturing introduced the first phase of the badge access capability, enabling faster user changes and the usage of shared terminals in the shop floor.

With this capability, PODs can request badge information, which can be done via RFID or Barcode Scanners, Manual Input and etc, to differentiate which user is accessing a given POD Page, which enables the usage of shared logins / users and terminals in the shop floor, and also faster user changes during manufacturing operations.

Keep in mind this is the first phase of this capability delivery, and further enhancements are expected for the upcoming releases, including showing badge information in MDOs and Standard Reports.

Configure it

In Manage User Assignments app, enter a 'Badge Number' value to required users.

In POD Designer, select 'Pages' tab, select the page you want to restrict access with badge control and click 'Edit', the pencil icon.

Enable 'Badge Access' in 'Edit Page Details' popup as follows:

In this page, you can add all the plugins that you want to restrict access under badge control.

Save your POD.

In my case, for educational purposes, I did a copy of 'Operation Activity POD (Default)', which out of the box is made of a Main Page, including Work List and Order Schedule Information plugins:

and an Activities Page, where all the execution plugins are placed:

Then, I enabled "Badge Access" for the Activities page, so every time a Worker selects a SFC in the Work List and goes to Activities page to perform any manufacturing activity, a badge is requested to diferentiate which specific user is performing those activities.

More information: Adding Pages to the POD

Try it

Now, just open your POD and try to navigate to the Page where you enabled badge access to. 

The POD should request a valid 'Badge Number' as follows:

Keep in mind this is the first phase of this capability delivery, and further enhancements are expected for the upcoming releases, including showing badge information in MDOs and Standard Reports.

Do you like this post? Please let me know in the comments section what you think. Any feedback is highly appreciated.

Or, if you have any questions, please check SAP Community Q&A Area, or comment down below.

Thanks,
Manoel Costa

[Alexand3r]

Great update, thanks. Long awaited feature.

How do you handle the user authentification in SAP DM for a shared terminal scenario? One named user is being logged in, all others are only using their badge numbers?

[ManoelCosta]

@Alexand3r for a shared terminal, a shared user would be needed. Br, Manoel

[JaySchwendemann]

Hi @ManoelCosta,

I have some questions about the (intended) scope of the badge access

1. Is it just meant to be a "proof" of being physically there (e.g. on a assembly line) and does not tie in with authentication and authorization whatsoever
2. Is it meant to elaborate the actual authorizations to another level, so e.g. for a specific time the logged on user gains more authorizations within DM?
3. Is (could) it even be used (misused rather?) to authenticate (not authorize) a user towards DM, so by presenting the badge one would be logged onto the DM system as a named user representing that badge

My assumption is 1. but I'm curious about 3 also, even If I have doubts to go down that route, should that be even technically feasible.

Many thanks

Cheers

Jens