ERP generates the serial number, the operator marks the part

A production order is opened, and the system generates a serial number for each part. That number is then jotted down on a piece of paper, manually typed into the marking machine's screen, and marked. Every step in between depends on human input.

There are two weak links in this chain. The first is data entry error: a digit is skipped, or the previous part's serial number remains on the screen. The part enters production with the wrong number, and the mistake is often discovered only after shipment. The second is lack of verifiable proof: during an audit, the answer to "how do you know this part was marked?" relies entirely on the operator's statement.

Markbridge™ is middleware software that bridges the gap between your ERP/MES system and your marking machine. It pulls the serial number from your ERP, sends it directly to the machine, and writes the machine's confirmation back to the ERP once marking is complete. The operator enters nothing, transfers nothing.

The result in one sentence: The serial number in the ERP matches the serial number on the part exactly, and there is a verified record of when, on which machine, and under which work order every single part was marked.

How It Works

Markbridge™ touches your production flow at four critical points without requiring any data entry from the operator.

1. Work order is created. When a production order is approved in your ERP, the system generates serial numbers corresponding to the quantity of parts to be produced. The sole source of serial numbers is your ERP; the machine counter is never used.
2. Job is sent to the machine. Markbridge creates a marking job for each part and queues it on the machine. This transmission never holds up your production planning interface: even if the machine is powered off or unreachable, the work order is approved normally, jobs accumulate in the queue, and they are dispatched as soon as the machine is back online.
3. Part is marked. The operator loads the part and initiates the cycle. The marking layout and data are already loaded on the machine; nothing is entered on the screen.
4. Machine confirms. Once the marking cycle is finished, the machine notifies Markbridge which part was marked. This confirmation is recorded in the ERP, closing the part's traceability loop.

Unverified status handling

Feedback may not always get through—a network connection might drop or a machine might restart. In such cases, Markbridge™ checks the machine's queue to determine what happened, and never presents assumptions as verified facts.

If the machine has not confirmed execution, the record is not closed as "marked"; instead, it is sent to the review queue. When the operator physically inspects and approves the part, this approval is logged in a dedicated field as a separate event. This ensures that an audit can always distinguish between "machine-verified" and "manually approved."

This crucial distinction is what sets Markbridge apart from simple data transfer scripts.

Benefits

Eliminates the risk of incorrect serial numbers.

The number passes directly from the ERP to the machine. Because manual data entry is eliminated, errors such as dropped digits, marking with the previous part's number, or logging against the wrong work order are completely prevented.

Enables audit-proof traceability.

Every part is logged with "timestamp, machine ID, and work order ID," backed directly by the machine's own confirmation signal. During an audit, you present verifiable system records rather than operator assertions.

Reduces operator workload.

No tasks remain other than loading the part and starting the marking cycle. Manual note-taking, typing on control screens, and paper checklist sign-offs are eliminated.

Keeps production independent of software uptime.

Production planning never halts if the middleware service or machine is temporarily unreachable. Jobs queue reliably and resume processing automatically once the connection is restored.

Manages multiple marking fields in a single job.

Serial numbers, part codes, production dates, QR codes, DataMatrix codes, and more: every variable field in your layout template is transmitted to the machine in a single job payload. Content per field is dynamically configured on a per-product basis.

Who Is It For?

Markbridge is engineered for manufacturers subject to part-level traceability mandates or those striving to establish stringent quality control standards.

By Industry: Automotive and tier suppliers, aerospace, defense, oil & gas, energy, marine, and electronics manufacturing. The common denominator is the absolute requirement for bi-directional part traceability in the field or along the assembly line.

By Production Type: Any manufacturing process requiring serial number tracking. The exact same workflow applies seamlessly from high-mix custom fabrication to high-volume production batches.

By Scale: From a single-machine workshop to a multi-line smart factory. In small setups, the ERP and middleware service can reside on the same server; in large facilities, the middleware operates within the machine subnet while the ERP resides on the corporate network.

In short: If you generate serial numbers in your ERP and mark them onto parts, Markbridge eliminates manual transfer completely.

Supported ERP and MES Systems

The Markbridge core is designed to be ERP-agnostic. Business logic, state management, and machine communication protocols reside in a unified core; only a lightweight adapter is required for each ERP system. This transforms integration with a new platform from custom ground-up engineering into fulfilling a standardized interface contract.

Out-of-the-Box Integration

Odoo 19: Fully integrated native module for the manufacturing suite. Includes serial number generation from manufacturing orders, job queuing, status synchronization, and review queue dashboards. No additional custom development required on the Odoo side.

Custom Adapters on Demand

Dedicated adapters can be engineered for systems like Logo, Netsis, Mikro, Canias, and Nebim based on your project requirements. Timeline and scope depend on the integration interface provided by the ERP; we clarify details during technical discovery.

Proprietary Software and In-House Systems

Markbridge exposes a standard REST API. If you run an in-house ERP, custom MES, or shop-floor tracking system, you can integrate directly via this API without requiring an intermediate adapter.

You can dispatch jobs, query real-time execution status, and read machine definitions through the API. The feedback pipeline is read from the same interface, meaning your system does not need to expose inbound ports.

Installation and Commissioning

Markbridge runs on a compact industrial computer deployed alongside your marking machines. This appliance operates continuously, resides on the same local network as the machines, and communicates securely with your ERP. No hardware modifications to your existing machines are needed.

On the network side, all we require is one-way connection authorization from your ERP server to this appliance. The machine network never needs to be exposed externally; the middleware service never initiates outbound calls to your ERP, and data is exchanged strictly when queried by the ERP.

In plant environments where inbound connections to the factory floor network are restricted, the appliance establishes an outbound encrypted tunnel, eliminating the need for firewall rule modifications.

Commissioning Steps

1. Network Discovery: We assess which subnets your ERP and marking machines occupy and whether routing exists between them. This step is completed during the proposal phase to determine the optimal deployment topology.
2. Device Deployment: The middleware appliance is installed near the machines, connected to the local network, and provisioned with the software.
3. Machine Configuration: Your marking systems (Dotpeenator or Laserator) are mapped in the system, template field variables are bound, and feedback endpoints are configured.
4. ERP Integration: The connector module is installed; product definitions, work centers, and routing rules are mapped.
5. Acceptance Testing: The entire data pipeline is validated end-to-end using a single-part test work order: verifying that the serial number generated in the ERP is marked identically onto the part and that the machine's completion signal is received back in the ERP.

Commissioning is not considered complete until the acceptance test is passed. This step is not a formality; because a misconfiguration in the feedback loop may produce no other symptoms, this test is the definitive proof that the integration operates flawlessly.

Post-Commissioning Diagnostics

Overall system health can be inspected via a single command: real-time machine statuses, pending job queues, and recent feedback logs are visible on a single dashboard. Whenever troubleshooting is required, this diagnostic overview is the primary reference point and typically pinpoints the root cause immediately.