Semiconductor fabs are large and complex operations. They contain hundreds of linear steps and thousands of iteratively used equipment chambers, each with their own controllers and data streams. Managing each piece of equipment requires efficient and data-driven teams.

Semiconductor fabs can have a combination of high-volume and high-mix products. High-volume product demand is becoming more apparent as the number of semiconductor-enabled electronic devices and vehicles increases. High-mix product demand is becoming more pronounced as the number of technologies and devices that require semiconductors—such as those related to the Internet of Things (IoT), the energy transition, AI, cloud computing, electric vehicles, and wearables—increases. Having a high mix of different products requires multiple parameters and processes to be programmed and performed on each tool. It also requires intricate coordination between planning, engineering, operations, and equipment teams. If this high mix is not coordinated and executed properly, a high volume of backlog behind each of the hundreds of tools and steps can occur.