FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about machines, data, the ERP, safety and pricing. Don't see yours? Email info@cyclewright.com.
Updated October 27, 2026
All questions
What is CycleWright?
CycleWright is real-time machine monitoring, interlock and ERP software for manufacturers, built first for injection molders. It reads every machine through a standard PLC harness, logs downtime automatically, and feeds live production counts into an ERP for jobs, scheduling, quality, maintenance, shipping and EDI.
Who is CycleWright for?
Injection molders first, especially plants with presses of many brands and ages. The same system also covers CNC machining, stamping, extrusion and assembly.
Do I need to replace my machine controllers?
No. CycleWright adds a small PLC next to each machine and reads signals the machine already has: power, auto mode, alarm, heats and the cycle. Nothing on the machine's controller is changed.
Does it work on old presses without EUROMAP or Ethernet?
Yes. Older and relay-controlled machines are wired to the PLC through relays, using the same standard signals as a new press. The wiring library has relay and legacy templates, and each machine gets a printable wiring sheet.
Do we need Kepware or another OPC server?
No. The plant server talks to the PLCs directly over Modbus TCP, so there's no OPC server license. If you already run Kepware or have OPC UA machines, CycleWright's OPC UA driver can read them too.
Will CycleWright write anything to our machines?
Not until you say so. Every new install starts in monitor-only mode: it reads and shows everything and writes nothing. Interlock outputs are switched on deliberately, in settings, after your team has checked them.
Does it need an internet connection?
No. The plant server runs on a PC on your network and keeps monitoring and running interlocks offline. Cloud features (the ERP, the multi-plant dashboard and the phone app away from the plant) use an outbound HTTPS connection.
Can it calculate OEE?
Yes. Utilization, availability and performance come from the harness signals on every machine. The quality part of OEE needs reject counts, which come from EUROMAP 63 or 77 counters or a reject signal. How OEE is measured.
What is a good OEE for injection molding?
The often-quoted 85% "world class" benchmark comes from general manufacturing. For molding, compare each press and mold against its own baseline, because mold changes, cycle length and material change what is realistic. The trend and the reasons behind it matter more than one number.
Can you track OEE without EUROMAP?
Partly. Availability and performance come from the harness signals on any machine. The quality part needs reject counts, from EUROMAP 63 or 77 counters, a reject signal, or inspections.
Do we need CycleWright monitoring to use the ERP?
The ERP is built to get production from CycleWright plant servers. That is what removes manual production entry. Most plants start with monitoring on a few machines and add the ERP when they're ready.
Can we move from Plex, DELMIAworks (IQMS), Epicor or spreadsheets?
Yes. The import reads exports from Plex, DELMIAworks (IQMS), Epicor Kinetic, Infor SyteLine and VISUAL, Global Shop, JobBOSS², E2, Made2Manage, SAP Business One, Business Central, NetSuite, Acumatica, SYSPRO, QuickBooks and Odoo, and any spreadsheet. It shows exactly what will change before anything does, and every import can be undone. How switching works.
Does it replace QuickBooks or Xero?
No. Shipped shipments become invoices in QuickBooks Online or Xero (optionally received POs as bills), each sent once, with paid status read back. Without a connection you can export IIF or CSV files for QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Online and Xero.
Does it handle EDI with automotive customers?
Yes. ANSI X12 830, 862, 850 and 860 come in; 855, 856 and 810 go out; 997s go both ways. EDI for molders.
Which X12 version does CycleWright use?
ANSI X12 version 004010.
Can someone in the cloud change our machine settings?
No. Plants connect out to the cloud; the cloud can't control machines. From the ERP, only a machine's job details change. Wiring, interlock rules and outputs are never touched from the cloud.
Is CycleWright ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 certified?
No software can be. ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 certify a company's quality system, and an IATF 16949 certificate is issued only to automotive manufacturing sites, after an audit by an IATF-recognized certification body. CycleWright keeps the records and runs the workflows those audits check, and its clause map shows where each requirement's evidence is kept.
Does CycleWright make us Honda L-MPR compliant?
It gives you the controls and the evidence: labels printed at the press one at a time, every label scanned once it is on, supervisor-approved reprints, mold checks, line clearance and IPP tags, with an evidence page built around the L-MPR checklist. Honda's own L-MPR self-assessment package is the list to answer, and Honda approves its suppliers.
Will the labels already on our containers still scan?
Yes. Inventory imports keep the old system's label serial on each container, so labels already on the floor still scan.
How long does it take to connect a machine?
Each machine is wired to the same standard harness from a template, with a printable wiring sheet, and is added in settings by entering the PLC's IP address and pressing Test connection. We plan the pilot machines together on a walk-through.
How is the ERP priced?
On your annual sales, with every ERP module and unlimited users. There is no minimum. Prices are quoted on request.
How is machine monitoring priced?
A flat yearly price per plant, with every machine in the plant included. Connecting another machine doesn't change the price; it only needs its harness hardware.
Is monitoring included in the ERP price?
No. Monitoring is its own flat yearly price per plant. You can run monitoring without the ERP. The ERP takes its production counts from monitoring, so the two work best together.
Do you charge to change the software for our plant?
No. If something doesn't fit how your plant works, we change the software, not your process. Tailoring the ERP to your business is never billed.
What does setup cost?
A fixed price, in writing with a go-live date, before you sign. We move your data for you. The hardware for each machine is listed in the quote.
What is the "less than half" promise measured against?
Your current yearly fees for ERP and machine monitoring software: subscriptions or maintenance, user licenses and add-on modules. We compare them with our yearly price for the same plants, and your quote shows both. If ours isn't less than half, we tell you before you sign.