What is it?
Cloud computing refers to IT-related capabilities which are provided “as a service” (SaaS), allowing users to access technology-enabled services from any Internet connection. (The cloud is a metaphor for the Internet).
Users do so without expertise in or control over the technology infrastructure that support these services. Generally, users either pay a monthly fee or pay on a transaction basis. Cloud computing has two main advantages: cost itself, and the cost savings realized from outsourced maintenance.
More about the advantages
Some companies invest billions of dollars in building and maintaining their core competencies, much of which goes into IT. If these companies can lease out some of the IT capabilities required to maintain these competencies, these companies become leaner and more profitable. They are substantial savings to be realized in the cloud computing model, such as the reduction of internal networks and servers, the elimination of the purchase of the software licenses and elimination of the large amounts of overhead incurred from managing and operating the competencies internally.
Small and midsize companies benefit too. The cloud computing model gives them access to all sorts of applications and systems, which would probably not be in their budget using the traditional software/IT purchase model. It gives smaller companies the same IT power as their bigger rivals.
Another advantage is the application-development speed cloud computing delivers. Customers can spend a lot of time (and money) defining infrastructure, hardware and software requirements for a project. Cloud computing solves a lot of those problems at the outset and allow users to implement sooner, and realize the benefits of their systems sooner.
What’s available?
More and more software capabilities are being offered as a service. For manufacturers, Tuppas offers production scheduling, production performance reporting, OEE, job tracking, quality management, SQC, SPC, ERP, CRM, SCM and KPI dashboards.
I predicted an increase in the number of inquiries we would get about the cloud computing model at the beginning of this year, and I was right. Manufacturers and their suppliers are looking for ways to streamline and become leaner so survive our economic times. Manufacturing SaaS can help them do that.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Automotive suppliers head to Washington
Anyone read this article? I feel for the suppliers. I'm not so sure about the OEMs. I don't think that the economy is what pushed them to the brink of destruction. Anyone have any thoughts?
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g_4JBWanc-GkzcES3yre0xCk0N9A
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g_4JBWanc-GkzcES3yre0xCk0N9A
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monitoring and improving OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) with browser-based software applications
OEE, or overall equipment effectiveness, drives improvements in manufacturing effectiveness and efficiency. By monitoring and addressing it, lost production time can be turned into found profits. Many companies who recognize the importance of OEE have yet to realize bottom line improvements by addressing it.
With the advent of browser-based manufacturing software applications, it is now easier than ever before. Equipment downtime can be easily monitored, recorded and reported to allow management to effectively address the areas which need improvement. An accurate picture of OEE can also help companies make appropriate equipment purchasing decisions.
Downtime losses typically come from equipment availability, performance rate and quality rate.
Typical losses include:
Availability
• Planned downtime
• Set up time
• Unplanned recorded downtime or breakdowns
Performance Rate
• Reduced speed
• Minor unrecorded stoppages
Quality Rate
• Rejects
• Rework
• Yield and start up losses
There is a formula for calculating the OEE of a piece of equipment. But you do have to know the machine's availiability, performance rate and quality rate to use it.
Example: 50% Availability (0.5) X 70% Performance Rate (0.7) X 20% Quality Reject Rate (results in 80%(0.8) acceptable) = 30%OEE
More attention paid to improving equipment productivity will help American manufacturers become leaner and improve bottom line profits to allow for competition with overseas manufacturing. A good place to start monitoring productivity is at a bottleneck. Using OEM production rates, accounting for change-overs, planned downtime and uncheduled downtime, manufacturers can benchmark the productivity of their machines. The idea is to then leverage this information to make improvements in the processes or the equipment.
How to leverage information to improve production
There are some software vendors who specialize in software for manufacturing which helps manufacturers utilize productivity data to improve their processes and ultimately their bottom line. Configurable browser-based applications are the ultimate solution for collecting and reporting production data, due to a number of advantages:
Scalability. Can be used at any size plant and multiple plants with anywhere access.
Real time availability. gathers, summarizes and presents plant floor data in real time
Integration. Can be integrated with almost any data source
Export data to other systems. These downtime software systems can export data for use in other enterprise-wide systems such as supply chain management or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).
Flexibility. Customizable reporting structure allows for viewing the data a manufacturer wants to see.
Easy to use interfaces. Employees log downtime occurances with an easy to use interface or they can use automation to gather data.
Quick implemenation. Since these applications are browser-based, there is no installation process at individual computer work stations. This allows for easy upgrades, and modifications as well as decreases IT and computer equipment costs. The software can be located on internal or external servers.
Rapid configurability. Entry screens and reports are built on an object oriented structure which allows changes to be implemented in a fraction of the time required by conventional systems
Data Push. This is the ability to warn plant management in real time that production problems are occurring on the floor. The software can send auto email or text messages to the appropriate management personnel. This enables staff to become proactive instead of reactive.
These browser-based applications allow for so much more flexibility, lower cost of owership and such a shorter time to implementation that it's hard to believe that they are usually much less expensive than their old legacy system counterparts.
With the advent of browser-based manufacturing software applications, it is now easier than ever before. Equipment downtime can be easily monitored, recorded and reported to allow management to effectively address the areas which need improvement. An accurate picture of OEE can also help companies make appropriate equipment purchasing decisions.
Downtime losses typically come from equipment availability, performance rate and quality rate.
Typical losses include:
Availability
• Planned downtime
• Set up time
• Unplanned recorded downtime or breakdowns
Performance Rate
• Reduced speed
• Minor unrecorded stoppages
Quality Rate
• Rejects
• Rework
• Yield and start up losses
There is a formula for calculating the OEE of a piece of equipment. But you do have to know the machine's availiability, performance rate and quality rate to use it.
Example: 50% Availability (0.5) X 70% Performance Rate (0.7) X 20% Quality Reject Rate (results in 80%(0.8) acceptable) = 30%OEE
More attention paid to improving equipment productivity will help American manufacturers become leaner and improve bottom line profits to allow for competition with overseas manufacturing. A good place to start monitoring productivity is at a bottleneck. Using OEM production rates, accounting for change-overs, planned downtime and uncheduled downtime, manufacturers can benchmark the productivity of their machines. The idea is to then leverage this information to make improvements in the processes or the equipment.
How to leverage information to improve production
There are some software vendors who specialize in software for manufacturing which helps manufacturers utilize productivity data to improve their processes and ultimately their bottom line. Configurable browser-based applications are the ultimate solution for collecting and reporting production data, due to a number of advantages:
Scalability. Can be used at any size plant and multiple plants with anywhere access.
Real time availability. gathers, summarizes and presents plant floor data in real time
Integration. Can be integrated with almost any data source
Export data to other systems. These downtime software systems can export data for use in other enterprise-wide systems such as supply chain management or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).
Flexibility. Customizable reporting structure allows for viewing the data a manufacturer wants to see.
Easy to use interfaces. Employees log downtime occurances with an easy to use interface or they can use automation to gather data.
Quick implemenation. Since these applications are browser-based, there is no installation process at individual computer work stations. This allows for easy upgrades, and modifications as well as decreases IT and computer equipment costs. The software can be located on internal or external servers.
Rapid configurability. Entry screens and reports are built on an object oriented structure which allows changes to be implemented in a fraction of the time required by conventional systems
Data Push. This is the ability to warn plant management in real time that production problems are occurring on the floor. The software can send auto email or text messages to the appropriate management personnel. This enables staff to become proactive instead of reactive.
These browser-based applications allow for so much more flexibility, lower cost of owership and such a shorter time to implementation that it's hard to believe that they are usually much less expensive than their old legacy system counterparts.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Why it may be a smart move to choose a web-based software solution
Web-based software systems are so beneficial because they can be easily accessed from multiple locations as well as save you enormous amounts of time and money. More productivity and profitability can be achieved by having web-based software that is specifically tailored to your own unique business needs. These web-based applications allow for a reduction in hardware, servers and software training, resulting in huge savings for you and your company.
By implementing web-based systems you can expect to lower the cost of ownership and maintenance along with also reducing the cost per user. This main terminal software system can be easily upgraded if needed, without disrupting business and altogether eliminating timely individual desktop upgrades.
Web-based solutions use a web browser to create easy to use, quick to set-up, cost effective solutions that will help your business compete. This type of software is installed on the server and the user accesses it by using just a browser. The whole process of centralizing your software on the server will short-term, as well as long-term, save you both time and money.
Benefits of Web-Based Systems
Reduced IT Administration
Reduced Installation Costs
Little or No Downtime for Updates and Maintenance
Instant Deployment of Information to Users
Support Simplified and Managed from a Single Source
Intranet or Internet Connectivity for Multiple Locations and Remote Workers
When searching for a web-based software vendor remember to look for a company with a good solid track record when it comes to giving their customers the exact system that they are looking for.
By implementing web-based systems you can expect to lower the cost of ownership and maintenance along with also reducing the cost per user. This main terminal software system can be easily upgraded if needed, without disrupting business and altogether eliminating timely individual desktop upgrades.
Web-based solutions use a web browser to create easy to use, quick to set-up, cost effective solutions that will help your business compete. This type of software is installed on the server and the user accesses it by using just a browser. The whole process of centralizing your software on the server will short-term, as well as long-term, save you both time and money.
Benefits of Web-Based Systems
Reduced IT Administration
Reduced Installation Costs
Little or No Downtime for Updates and Maintenance
Instant Deployment of Information to Users
Support Simplified and Managed from a Single Source
Intranet or Internet Connectivity for Multiple Locations and Remote Workers
When searching for a web-based software vendor remember to look for a company with a good solid track record when it comes to giving their customers the exact system that they are looking for.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Browser-Based Total Quality Management Software
Total Quality Management for Manufacturers
Total quality management, or TQM, is becoming increasingly important for manufacturers and distributors in today’s world. Tier one and two suppliers are being encouraged, and in some cases, forced by the large companies they service to get on board with TQM systems.
TQM should address all of the important aspects of a quality management suystem and bring them together into one integrated system.
Software for TQM needs to be versatile and configurable to align all of the aspects of quality management. Innovative, browser-based software can help manufacturers more easily configure a total quality solution that addresses all of their specific needs, and is within their budetary constraints.
What is total quality management? Well, TQM encompasses quality control on the factory floor, and well beyond. It consists of:
1 Statistical control applications
2 Defect tracking systems
3 PPM (parts per million) reporting
4 Quality document management
5 Customer portals for access to quality documents
6 Vendor portals
7 Quality assurance
8 Data management
9 Corrective action measures (CAPA) reporting
10 Change management
11 Corporate dashboards to access all of the quality data
These software applications should easily extend throughout the corporation, and be accessible to the appropriate personnel from any location. Customer portals providing access to various quality data help build customer confidence as well as assure that products meet quality requirements. These interfaces when combined with a barcoding system, can allow users access to the quality settings and production data relevent to any individual part or item. Trending, or looking at the quality issues regarding a large number of parts, is also becoming more popular.
This flexible, accessible software for total quality management is becoming more popular due to the growing acceptance and use of browser-based software systems. Browser-native TQM software provides the perfect vehicle to deliver all of the various aspects of quality management, which corporations are looking for in an easy to use format, in a short amount of time and at reasonable cost with quick ROI (return on investment).
Browse-based systems allow for extensive customization, so that the applications can be configured to fit any customer’s needs. They can also be modified easily after they are in use as the need arises. Browser-based total quality management solutions have more to offer buyers in terms of functionality, accessibility, customizability and price than some other legacy quality management software applications.
Total quality management, or TQM, is becoming increasingly important for manufacturers and distributors in today’s world. Tier one and two suppliers are being encouraged, and in some cases, forced by the large companies they service to get on board with TQM systems.
TQM should address all of the important aspects of a quality management suystem and bring them together into one integrated system.
Software for TQM needs to be versatile and configurable to align all of the aspects of quality management. Innovative, browser-based software can help manufacturers more easily configure a total quality solution that addresses all of their specific needs, and is within their budetary constraints.
What is total quality management? Well, TQM encompasses quality control on the factory floor, and well beyond. It consists of:
1 Statistical control applications
2 Defect tracking systems
3 PPM (parts per million) reporting
4 Quality document management
5 Customer portals for access to quality documents
6 Vendor portals
7 Quality assurance
8 Data management
9 Corrective action measures (CAPA) reporting
10 Change management
11 Corporate dashboards to access all of the quality data
These software applications should easily extend throughout the corporation, and be accessible to the appropriate personnel from any location. Customer portals providing access to various quality data help build customer confidence as well as assure that products meet quality requirements. These interfaces when combined with a barcoding system, can allow users access to the quality settings and production data relevent to any individual part or item. Trending, or looking at the quality issues regarding a large number of parts, is also becoming more popular.
This flexible, accessible software for total quality management is becoming more popular due to the growing acceptance and use of browser-based software systems. Browser-native TQM software provides the perfect vehicle to deliver all of the various aspects of quality management, which corporations are looking for in an easy to use format, in a short amount of time and at reasonable cost with quick ROI (return on investment).
Browse-based systems allow for extensive customization, so that the applications can be configured to fit any customer’s needs. They can also be modified easily after they are in use as the need arises. Browser-based total quality management solutions have more to offer buyers in terms of functionality, accessibility, customizability and price than some other legacy quality management software applications.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Manufacturing KPI Software
Manufacturers, both discreet and process, now have a unique advantage they can employ. KPI software specifically designed for them, which takes into account both business metrics as well as production data and can be delivered on-demand.
Performance measurement software provides users with the ability to visualize and analyze KPIs (key performance indicators). It delivers the power of visualization based on actual metrics directly into the hands of decision makers.
By combining business, operational and production performance KPIs, even when the data is from disparate systems, users are provided with near real-time, actionable metrics and KPIs for optimal decision making in the manufacturing environment. Users can even be sent alerts via e-mail when KPIs which have been designated as their responsibility reach pre-defined alarm levels.
Most manufacturing organizations are already measuring KPIs, to some extent or another, and realize the importance of doing so. The question then becomes how can they leverage this new technology to further enable the organization to make timelier and better informed decisions? Defining the company strategy, identifying KPIs and assigning ownership of KPIs now become the most difficult parts of this endeavor.
Some of the basic production performance KPIs are listed below:
1. Overall equipment effectiveness
2. Scheduled production
3. Open orders
3. Quality tracking-six sigma
4. WIP
5. Cycle time
6. Material costing, usage
7. Labor usage, costs-direct and indirect
8. Forecasts
9. On-time orders
10. On-time shipping
11. Job, product costing
12. Inventory
These production and operational level metrics provide the basis for higher level KPIs, which provide corporate wide performance measurement. These higher level KPIs can be drilled down to the lower level KPIs which comprise it, to zero in on problem areas.
Higher level KPIs:
1. Overall production efficiency of a department, plant or division
2. Comparative analytics for products, plants, divisions, companies
3. Spend analytics
4. Demand forecasting
5. Supplier trending
One of the biggest advantages of a KPI software system is the ability it gives corporate entities to compare the performance of various products, plants, divisions and even companies within the corporation. The software makes it possible for team members to see where the money makers are as well as the marginal or no profit items. Disparate products or facilities can be standardized within the software to allow for comparison.
KPIs can also be aggregated, and weighted, so that they are accounted for and prioritized within the software system. Data from multiple sources already in place within the corporation, such as ERP, CRM, MES and other databases and spread sheets can be incorporated into the system.
Due to on-demand software’s ability to access this information in near real-time, it can be used to support decisions which improve production performance as well as corporate level strategy planning. There are several impressive advantages to the on demand model of delivery for production performance interfaces. One is that it can be configured, deployed and implemented without a lengthy development and deployment cycle. Cost savings on several levels can also be realized. There is no need for “additional IT infrastructure” with an on demand model for KPI software.
Manufacturing organizations who take advantage of KPI software’s ability to help them fine tune production as well as provide corporate wide performance measurement will be the players who come out ahead.
Performance measurement software provides users with the ability to visualize and analyze KPIs (key performance indicators). It delivers the power of visualization based on actual metrics directly into the hands of decision makers.
By combining business, operational and production performance KPIs, even when the data is from disparate systems, users are provided with near real-time, actionable metrics and KPIs for optimal decision making in the manufacturing environment. Users can even be sent alerts via e-mail when KPIs which have been designated as their responsibility reach pre-defined alarm levels.
Most manufacturing organizations are already measuring KPIs, to some extent or another, and realize the importance of doing so. The question then becomes how can they leverage this new technology to further enable the organization to make timelier and better informed decisions? Defining the company strategy, identifying KPIs and assigning ownership of KPIs now become the most difficult parts of this endeavor.
Some of the basic production performance KPIs are listed below:
1. Overall equipment effectiveness
2. Scheduled production
3. Open orders
3. Quality tracking-six sigma
4. WIP
5. Cycle time
6. Material costing, usage
7. Labor usage, costs-direct and indirect
8. Forecasts
9. On-time orders
10. On-time shipping
11. Job, product costing
12. Inventory
These production and operational level metrics provide the basis for higher level KPIs, which provide corporate wide performance measurement. These higher level KPIs can be drilled down to the lower level KPIs which comprise it, to zero in on problem areas.
Higher level KPIs:
1. Overall production efficiency of a department, plant or division
2. Comparative analytics for products, plants, divisions, companies
3. Spend analytics
4. Demand forecasting
5. Supplier trending
One of the biggest advantages of a KPI software system is the ability it gives corporate entities to compare the performance of various products, plants, divisions and even companies within the corporation. The software makes it possible for team members to see where the money makers are as well as the marginal or no profit items. Disparate products or facilities can be standardized within the software to allow for comparison.
KPIs can also be aggregated, and weighted, so that they are accounted for and prioritized within the software system. Data from multiple sources already in place within the corporation, such as ERP, CRM, MES and other databases and spread sheets can be incorporated into the system.
Due to on-demand software’s ability to access this information in near real-time, it can be used to support decisions which improve production performance as well as corporate level strategy planning. There are several impressive advantages to the on demand model of delivery for production performance interfaces. One is that it can be configured, deployed and implemented without a lengthy development and deployment cycle. Cost savings on several levels can also be realized. There is no need for “additional IT infrastructure” with an on demand model for KPI software.
Manufacturing organizations who take advantage of KPI software’s ability to help them fine tune production as well as provide corporate wide performance measurement will be the players who come out ahead.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Production Scheduling
Production scheduling software, or constraint based scheduling, which can help manufacturers generate realistic and executable production schedules uses genetic algorithms to programmatically arrange production schedules for the best possible outcome based on a number of constraints, which are pre-defined by the user. These rule-based programs cycle through thousands of possibilities, until the most optimal schedule is arrived at which best meets all criteria. Constraint-based scheduling needs accurate data in order to arrive at a feasible scheduling scenario.
An effective constraint-based scheduling system requires correct routings that reflect steps in the proper order, and information on whether steps can be parallel or whether they need to be sequential. The amount of thoughtful planning that is required for a successful system to be implemented is one of the largest stopping points to utilizing these systems.
Management needs to define accurate routings in terms of operation sequence and operation overlap. Resource constraints also need to be accurately documented, along with accurate run and set-up times. Tools like constraint based production scheduling systems should not be thought of as a magical solution, but rather as a tool that needs accurate inputs in order to produce a executable schedules which are understood by it's users.
When using constraint based scheduling within an ERP (enterprise resource planning) system, an ERP system which is well integrated with other aspects of the business will generally also be a powerful tool in terms of production scheduling. A number of variables which reside in non-manufacturing software system functionality affect capacity. A well integrated system will be able to update the other business systems of scheduling operations.
Apart from the immediately apparent capacity management benefits of constraint based scheduling, there are a number of less obvious analytical capabilities. Scheduling functionality typically allows you to conduct predictive analyses (what-if) of what would happen if certain changes are made to an optimized schedule. This type of functionality can also provide predictive analyses on the effect of added capacity in the plant. This enables manufacturers to see if equipment purchases will truly deliver an increase in capacity, or if it will simply result in another bottleneck further downstream in the manufacturing process.
Tuppas Production Scheduling
We provide production scheduling, manufacturing and ERP modules which were developed as browser-based, thin client applications. Their easily configurable modules gives manufacturers the ability to make changes to or even add functionality to the software. Tuppas software is web-based, object-oriented, model-driven, thin-client, configurable and available as a service (SaaS). Applications offered include: Production Scheduling, Advanced Planning and Scheduling, Production Reporting, Inventory Management, Warehouse Management, SPC, SQC, SCM, CRM, Accounting, Procurement, Job Tracking, Capacity Planning, Quality Assurance, Materials Requirements Planning, Process Control, Training Solutions, CMMS (Preventive Maintenance), Business Intelligence and Performance Dashboards.
An effective constraint-based scheduling system requires correct routings that reflect steps in the proper order, and information on whether steps can be parallel or whether they need to be sequential. The amount of thoughtful planning that is required for a successful system to be implemented is one of the largest stopping points to utilizing these systems.
Management needs to define accurate routings in terms of operation sequence and operation overlap. Resource constraints also need to be accurately documented, along with accurate run and set-up times. Tools like constraint based production scheduling systems should not be thought of as a magical solution, but rather as a tool that needs accurate inputs in order to produce a executable schedules which are understood by it's users.
When using constraint based scheduling within an ERP (enterprise resource planning) system, an ERP system which is well integrated with other aspects of the business will generally also be a powerful tool in terms of production scheduling. A number of variables which reside in non-manufacturing software system functionality affect capacity. A well integrated system will be able to update the other business systems of scheduling operations.
Apart from the immediately apparent capacity management benefits of constraint based scheduling, there are a number of less obvious analytical capabilities. Scheduling functionality typically allows you to conduct predictive analyses (what-if) of what would happen if certain changes are made to an optimized schedule. This type of functionality can also provide predictive analyses on the effect of added capacity in the plant. This enables manufacturers to see if equipment purchases will truly deliver an increase in capacity, or if it will simply result in another bottleneck further downstream in the manufacturing process.
Tuppas Production Scheduling
We provide production scheduling, manufacturing and ERP modules which were developed as browser-based, thin client applications. Their easily configurable modules gives manufacturers the ability to make changes to or even add functionality to the software. Tuppas software is web-based, object-oriented, model-driven, thin-client, configurable and available as a service (SaaS). Applications offered include: Production Scheduling, Advanced Planning and Scheduling, Production Reporting, Inventory Management, Warehouse Management, SPC, SQC, SCM, CRM, Accounting, Procurement, Job Tracking, Capacity Planning, Quality Assurance, Materials Requirements Planning, Process Control, Training Solutions, CMMS (Preventive Maintenance), Business Intelligence and Performance Dashboards.
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