Lean Manufacturing Definition
Becoming lean is a goal of most manufacturers. What does it mean to be lean and how is it accomplished? Lean Manufacturing is the practice of using less input (ie man hours, materials, warehouse/production space, investment in equipment, etc.) in the production of goods. The benefits of reducing labor and overall spending without detriment to the final product are obvious. When implemented correctly, Lean Manufacturing allows a manufacturer to lower prices for their customers without sacrificing quality.
Highly configurable systems are outpacing canned systems and providing a path for innovation. Advancements in browser based technology are enabling agile deployment strategies.
Manufacturing software helps manufacturers improve production performance by providing visable control and reporting across the enterprise.
So how does a company become lean? In most cases there are many opportunities for a company to reduce waste. A good software system can aid in this process. For example, JIT (Just-In-Time) Inventory Software eliminates excessive warehouse space needed to store raw material and finished goods. Preventative Maintenance (PM or CMMS) Software ensures that maintenance is being performed on your equipment on a routine basis so that equipment breaks less often. Downtime Software in coordination with PM/CMMS shows which machinery needs attention and can suggest when one should purchase replacement machines vs when to replace a component of that machine. Software also exists to implement Six Sigma, a set of procedures meant to eliminate defects. Defect Tracking, Quality and Statistical Process Control (SPC) Software allows a company to track noncomformant products and ascribe a reason for such a failure. The data is processed and displayed in a variety of chart, graphs and text-based reports to allow managers to understand the reason for defects so that they can remedy the most pressing issues. Lean Manufacturing may seem like a lofty goal, but in most cases, there are many opportunities for improvement. A flexible software solution empowers you to take advantage of these opportunities without forcing you to redesign your entire operation. Tailorable software also provides you with the capability to adapt to new situations and innovate to outperform your competition.
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