Seems obvious – you want real time data and you want it to be accurate. Do you have the systems in place to allow for this?

Here are 4 reasons you need a data collection system:

1. See the differences between actuals and standards
2. Determine the source of project overruns
3. Prevent mis-shipments to customers
4. Avoid unnecessary reordering of parts

An automated data collection system will analyze your current data, allowing you to efficiently optimize your manufacturing and the benefits will be huge and far reaching.

Optimize Your Manufacturing Today!

Do you have a strong relationship with your suppliers? Do they know your every need/want? No? Well, why not?  

The key to any good relationship is communication. Have you established clear and consistent communication with your suppliers? Consider establishing a way for both of you to share information with each other electronically.

A portal is a good way to achieve this. Documents can be shared, updates on deliveries can be communicated with ease, and changes that can affect both your operations and theirs can be communicated efficiently and effectively.

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When is the last time you took a hard look at your production lines?

• How are we moving product through our facility?
• Do we have work instructions / drawings available where needed?
• Do we have frequently used inventory available at the line?
• Where are the bottlenecks?
• Are processes automated, where possible?

Taking a hard look at your processes and procedures may reveal some interesting results. Don’t assume that everyone is doing things the same way. Some may be superstars, and others may need some mentoring. Some processes may be outdated and costing you time and money, while others are extremely efficient. One area of the business may benefit from how others operate. Take the time to review and analyze your findings. Your company may benefit greatly as a result.

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Such lofty goals you had when you implemented your ERP system. It was going to be like pressing the “Easy Button”…  then it wasn’t.

What happened? In some cases, decisions were made to implement the system “just like we used to run our old system”. Great idea? Not so much. Your business changes, and your business software needs to change as well.

Have you looked at streamlining your processes?Are you using the ERP system, but everything seems cumbersome and takes more time than its worth? Ask yourself these questions:

• Can you automate a step or two and eliminate some manual keying?
• Can you add barcoding to avoid keying in some information altogether?
• How about automating the printing of some reports?

Now is the time to sit down and really review the steps required to complete the task and think out of the box a bit. Soon you can develop your own streamlined process to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

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I hate getting lost. I feel out of control and helpless. Thank God my dad taught me early on how to read a map. Maps give us direction, points of reference, and helps us navigate the obstacles in our way.  

Do you have roadmap for your ERP system, or are you lost? An ERP roadmap can give your staff direction. It should help you create a stronger workforce that is well prepared to meet the future needs of your business. Take a hard look at what your ERP is, or isn’t doing for you. Chances are, there is much that can be done, and all you need to do is start plotting out your map. 

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1. Eliminate paper shop packet and distribution of the paperwork to the shop floor.     
2. Eliminate manual (paper-based) recording activities and the need to key in the transactions.
3. Easy electronic scheduling by sequence and changing job priorities.
4. Evaluate differences using actual times compared to standards.
5. Improve data accuracy and eliminate the need to chase and fix errors.
6. Practice Real-Time data reporting to monitor efficiencies and identify problems as they occur.

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Cross Docking can provide significant improvements in efficiency by looking for outstanding requirements for an item (production orders, sales orders, replenishment orders) and automatically assigning the incoming item to that requirement instead of putting the item away into inventory, only to retrieve it later. Consider implementing cross-docking at your facility. 

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Just a refresher on a tip I’ve shared previously from Supply Chain Technology Bulletin regarding how to attain greater inventory accuracy. I thought it would be worthwhile to share again:

• Record data regarding your inventory as soon as the items arrive at your door / receiving dock. With information, you can make decisions. Without it, you waste money, time and effort.
• Leverage data collection, label generation and RFID solutions to make your life easier.
• Set inventory accuracy goals for the business and for employees.
• Train your employees so they know what is expected of them, and how to best perform their job and therefore how best to maintain accurate inventory counts.
• Count the inventory – and do it regularly. Find a method that works best for your employees, and for your business.

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