The Power of the Plant Floor

October 7, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

In the last few weeks, we’ve been looking at plant level business systems that empower people, by providing the timely information needed for each individual job function and department to improve decision-making and take action that can improve the overall level of customer service and profitability of the business.
We’ve reviewed Customer Sales and Production Planning and Scheduling already, so let’s move to Production Operations next, for a closer look at the different types of information needs. From the plant manager, line supervisors, to individual production work centers/cell operators, we will explore the types of improvements that can result from the right person having timely access to the information they need, on an ongoing real-time basis.
Over the next few weeks, my blog colleagues (would that be “blolleagues”?) w...Read More

September 16, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

We’re following the idea that plant level business systems like ERP, MOM and MES need to empower the people who really power the plants, by providing accurate and timely exception information needed for each individual job function and department, to make their next decisions and actions better. 

We’ve looked at Sales and Customer Service so far, so I’ll look at an example of another department next, Production Planning and Scheduling, for a closer look at today’s information needs of Planners and Schedulers and the types of improvements that can result from the right person having access to the right information, at the right time.

Example #2: Production Planners and Schedulers

The same accelerated speed of business that’s changing the way Sales manages customer demand, one order at ...Read More

September 11, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

We’ve established that we need to empower the people who really power the plants. The challenge of business systems, then, is to bring just the accurate and timely information needed by each individual to make their next decision and the actions that follow, better – whatever information that may be, for each specific job function and department. 

Sounds reasonable, so in my next free blog postings, I'm going to dig into a few examples to better explore who needs what kinds of information, and the types of manufacturing improvements that can result from the right person having access to the right information, at the right time. 

Example #1: Customer Sales and Service

               ...Read More

September 9, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

It's about how every direct and indirect department, cost center and operating work center that creates value and is focused on providing perfect order performance can overcome real-world challenges and better improve plant floor operations and productivity, for the benefit of the overall business.

Make no mistake – in the midst of today’s global economy, at a local level manufacturers are successful and continuing to maintain and grow the business every day. Inside every manufacturer you can find people who know their customers, products and services, their competition and m...Read More