Activating Machine-Trak
Every machine finally talking. Your tier includes Machine-Trak licenses to start. We set up Machine-Trak, connect your machines, and train your team to run it.
Hosted by Lake (standard)
It's the fastest way to start. We host Machine-Trak, with no separate hosting charge. You provide one Windows server at your site to collect data from your machines.
On your network (when you require it)
For data security, defense or export-controlled (ITAR) work, Machine-Trak runs on one combined Windows server at your site. The price is the same.
What activation includes
Included Your tier's machine licenses
- Server setup
- We set up Machine-Trak, hosted by Lake or on your network.
- Machine connections
- Installation and configuration of your included machines over standard connections: FANUC (FOCAS), MTConnect, OPC and MQTT. These are software connections with no extra hardware.
- No risk
- If you decide not to use them, you pay nothing.
Try it first Trial
- Up to 2 machines
- For 60 days.
- Remote installation
- No site visits during a trial.
- Weekly check-ins
- With the Machine-Trak team.
- Nothing to pay if you stop
- You buy any interface hardware a trial machine needs.
Quoted On your quote
- More machines
- Machines beyond your included licenses, any machine type, over 65 supported configurations.
- Legacy machines
- Machines that need interface hardware.
- Control options
- Control options or adapter software on the machine.
- Administrator training
- Two days, delivered remotely.
- Site visits
- Any site visit, with travel and expenses.
Continuing after the included installation, or adding machines, may require a setup fee. Your account team shows every charge on your quote.
Products new to your account include a standard installation. Products you already run carry no included installation, except a reinstall when you move to Infor's multi-tenant cloud. Tuning and custom work are quoted before they start.
How long it takes
| Phase | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Network drops, if none are in place | About 4 weeks for the first 1 to 20 machines, plus about 4 weeks for each additional 20 |
| Small site (1 or 2 machines), once ready | 1 to 2 days to data flowing |
| Larger sites, once ready | 10 to 15 machines a week |
"Ready" means everything under Before we start is complete and our team has remote access. Machines that need work on site can add time. Your IT and Maintenance teams can shorten it.
After your request: installation planning
Your site survey gives us most of what we need. Before installation, our team works with your IT team on the rest: IP addresses, firewall ports and server access. Most customers don't have machine IP addresses at the start, and that's fine.
Download the site survey workbook
How machines connect
Most CNCs with Ethernet controls use a software adapter. Mazak and Okuma use MTConnect. PLC-based machines use an OPC UA server and need tag information. Legacy machines (typically 20 or more years old) use a hardware adapter that your Maintenance team installs, with our wiring documentation.
Before we start: what you need in place
We check these with you before we schedule. Anything not in place yet goes on your checklist, and we schedule once it's ready.
Servers and access
Hosted is standard
- Hosted (standard)
- A Windows Machine Interface Server at your site: a virtual machine built to our specifications, with outbound HTTPS access.
- On your network (when required)
- One combined Windows server built to our specifications. We install the Machine-Trak software on it.
- Remote access
- Remote access to the servers for our team.
- Users
- A web browser on any PC, tablet or phone. Nothing is installed on user PCs.
Machines and network
At every monitored machine
- Ethernet-ready machines
- Any Ethernet card or control option bought from the machine or control supplier, installed and tested.
- Network drops
- A network drop at every machine, with routes verified by ping to the interface server.
- Machine names
- A unique display name for every machine. IP addresses and firewall ports are set with your IT team during installation planning.
- Interface details
- MTConnect adapters on Mazak and Okuma machines, OPC UA tag information for PLC-based machines, and your Maintenance team to wire any legacy hardware adapter.
Your team and survey
Completed before you order
- Machine-Trak project manager
- One person who coordinates IT, Maintenance and the shop floor, and stays on as your administrator.
- Site survey
- For each machine: display name, machine and controller make and model, and whether it has an Ethernet card and a drop. Fill it in online when you request, or use the workbook. IP addresses can come later.
- Order review
- Server location, the interface for each machine, any hardware or OPC UA software, and training, reviewed with your account team.
- Training attendees
- Your project manager, administrators and power users for two days of remote training.
Your account team confirms these requirements against your SyteLine version and hosting before your activation is scheduled.
What we'll ask in your request
- Hosted by Lake or on your network, and why if on your network
- How many machines to connect first, and whether you want a trial
- Where your network drops and Windows server stand
- Your site survey: fill it in online, attach the workbook, or send it later
- Who your Machine-Trak project manager is, and how many people will attend training
The Lake MES Platform, from The Lake Companies, LLC, an Infor Gold Channel Partner. "Included" means it's part of your platform subscription. Capability marked expected or planned isn't released yet and may change. Questions about a product that's already running go to support@lakeco.com.