synchrono

NOVEMBER 20, 2017

In 2010, Gartner estimated that manufacturers outsourced about 70% of the products they make to other manufacturers. I haven’t seen a recent statistic, but that still feels about right. So, it only makes sense that, for most manufacturers, implementing modern demand-driven or pull-manufacturing techniques will require collaboration with many partners across the entire supply chain. Before you can collaborate with your supply chain partners, you need to get your own house in order.

Supply Chain Optimization 128

Supply Chain Optimization Supply Chain Aerospace Supply and Demand 128

synchrono

OCTOBER 16, 2017

Is enthusiasm for Big Data wavering? In 2015, McKinsey Global Institute claimed that the IIoT had the potential to create as much as $3.7 trillion in economic value in the global manufacturing sector by 2025. They also predicted that 80 to 100% of manufacturers will have implemented IIoT applications by then and already be reaping the benefits of data-driven insights into their operations.

Big Data 82

Big Data Continuous Improvement Data Lean 82

synchrono

APRIL 23, 2018

Manufacturers use constraints management first to gain the most demand-driven change. Last time, we talked about focusing on enterprise improvements rather than local efficiencies using constraints management (TOC). We discussed that continuous improvement tools such as TOC, Lean and Six Sigma work like “sandpaper” on an organization’s processes, smoothing various stages of their demand-driven journey.

Six Sigma 72

Six Sigma Manufacturing Lean Continuous Improvement 72

synchrono

JUNE 4, 2018

Managing operations through multiple manufacturing systems can be challenging, but it’s a daily reality for many manufacturers. In this post, we’ll look at the pros and cons of consolidating ERP systems – and propose an alternative. When Two Worlds Collide. Whenever two or more organizations merge, they are almost always using different ERP systems. As anyone who’s ever tried to consolidate an ERP systems knows, it’s not easy. Each organization chose their respective ERP systems for a reason.

Demand Planning Software 66

Demand Planning Software Modeling Software Optimizaton Software Supply Chain Planning Software 66

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Supply Chain Planning

synchrono

NOVEMBER 18, 2016

Visibility Matte rs. Rick Morris, a Certified Supply Chain Professional wrote in Supply House Times that while improving fill rates, improved forecast accuracy also lowers inventory levels measured in days of sales; and simultaneously , improved forecast accuracy improves fill rates and lowers inventory. He suggested this translates into increased profitability.

Supply Chain Visibility 78

Supply Chain Visibility Forecasting Software Supply Chain Demand Planning Software 78

synchrono

JUNE 19, 2017

Jessica Twentyman reported in the Financial Times , that for many manufacturers, supply chain collaboration is stuck in the dark ages. When it comes to ordering materials and components, managing inventory levels, or organizing the delivery of finished goods to customers, companies are forced continually to chase business partners – mostly suppliers, logistics companies, and retailers – via a messy stream of emails, phone calls, and even faxes.

Supply Chain Strategy 69

Supply Chain Strategy Demand Planning Software Supply Chain Network Software Logistics Network Optimization Software 69

synchrono

JANUARY 8, 2018

A few decades ago, Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) was a hot topic. Many manufacturers saw it as a way to reduce inventory levels and costs. If they could get their suppliers to maintain ownership of raw materials or subcontracted components until consumed, inventory levels would naturally drop—on paper anyway. Because they were giving most, or all of their business to one supplier, they were also in a position to negotiate better terms.

Supply Chain Planning 63

Supply Chain Planning Inventory Supply Chain Planning Software Manufacturing 63

synchrono

APRIL 9, 2018

What to Use to Get the Most of Your Demand-Driven Changes. Demand-driven manufacturing leaders are always refining their tools and tactics to ensure they’re spending their time wisely. This blog marks the first in a three-part series about using the tools of TOC, Six Sigma and Lean to help manufacturing leaders gain the most benefit from their demand-driven transformation. Three in One.

Six Sigma 59

Six Sigma Continuous Improvement Lean Tools 59

synchrono

MARCH 6, 2017

Measure efficiency and productivity against your REAL goal. I keep seeing the word efficiency in the manufacturing media. For s omeone who is a Constraints Management person, this is the equivalent of saying “Ni” to the Knights Who Say Ni (Monty Python reference, okay?) or like scratching your fingernails across a blackboard. It is one of those words that I think we should remove from the English language.

Metrics 68

Metrics Quality Lean Resources 68

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Supply Chain Disruption

synchrono

FEBRUARY 27, 2017

TR Cutler, Inc. Market Research (TMR) just released the results of a survey conducted in the first two weeks of February, 2017. The respondents were all discrete manufacturers and all held VP or C-level titles. The universe of completed surveys totaled 401 and inquired about the highest priorities for manufacturers today. The sample size ensures statistical significance to a probability of +/- 3%). Key Findings and Frustrations.

Supply Chain Planning 66

Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Visibility Supply Chain Planning Software Supply and Demand 66

synchrono

DECEMBER 4, 2017

The global economic recession that started in 2007/2008 hit the manufacturing sector hard. In February of 2009, The Economist even published a piece called The Collapse of Manufacturing. If you recall, this was right about the time the automotive manufacturer bailouts kicked in because they, like the larger financial institutions, were deemed too important to the US economy to fail. It felt like we were on the verge of an economic collapse.

Automotive 59

Automotive Study Examples Resources 59

synchrono

MAY 21, 2018

Three Ways Leaders Create Lean. Relentless” leadership and team empowerment drive lean change. For those of you who have heard this before, it bears repeating. For those of you who have not, this is important – leadership is the single most important component to lean success. .

Lean 55

Lean Continuous Improvement Tools Innovation 55

synchrono

APRIL 2, 2018

. . Where to Start Your Lean Journey. There’s one sure-fire way to tell when someone has lived in Minneapolis long enough to be called a Minnesotan. No, it doesn’t involve rooting for the Vikings, though that helps. It’s when they can find their way around The Mall of America without a directory.

Minneapolis 53

Minneapolis Aerospace America Lean 53

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Survey

synchrono

MARCH 19, 2018

A few years ago, Aberdeen Group did a study that showed that 63% of “best in class” manufacturers still used spreadsheets for planning. With percentages this high, it’s probably safe to say that there is a lack of trust in planning tools like ERP and MRP even in the best-run companies. Of course, spreadsheets come with their own set of issues. You may have a certain amount of confidence in the spreadsheets you’ve created, but what about those from your colleagues?

Six Sigma 53

Six Sigma Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Manufacturing 53

synchrono

JULY 9, 2018

Since the advent of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), experts and enthusiasts have been talking about the coming together of IT (information technology) and OT (operational technologies). Some call it an integration, while others call it a convergence. I call it a good thing. In this post, I’ll talk a bit about the convergence/integration of IT and OT, why it matters, and what it will look like in the Factory of the Future. What is IT/OT Convergence?

Supply Chain Planning Software 49

Supply Chain Planning Software Demand Planning Software Supply Chain Network Software Predictive Analytics Software 49

synchrono

FEBRUARY 13, 2017

Measuring your strategic goals against their value and the time, money and attention they need. When we began our metrics discussion, we talked about how behaviors are too often dictated by metrics—and whether or not these behaviors actually “move the needle” for sustainable supply chain improvements. Mark Davidson’s blog about aligning metrics to larger goals and objectives covers this topic well. I’d like to go over what I find especially valuable about these tactics.

Metrics 55

Metrics Supply Chain Strategy Strategy Lean 55

synchrono

NOVEMBER 4, 2015

If you follow the Demand-Driven Matters blog, you know we specialize in Demand-Driven Manufacturing and have identified the two key components of this method as synchronization and flow. At an enterprise level, synchronization is all about fully connecting your organization to aggregate and share information in real-time.

Internet of things 63

Internet of things Manufacturing Continuous Improvement Metrics 63

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synchrono

AUGUST 22, 2016

How Technology Has Changed What We Measure. The two areas of my working world are embracing technology like never before: Marketing and manufacturing. While digital content and automated technologies gave birth to the modern marketer, a more real-time, digitally connected enterprise is driving modern manufacturing strategies like the Factory of the Future, Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 – all of which are grounded in Demand-Driven Manufacturing methods. This got me thinking.

Metrics 57

Metrics Modeling Internet of things Continuous Improvement 57

synchrono

MARCH 4, 2018

Imagine this: You’re in a high-level planning meeting with senior leadership, when the CEO and CFO issue a clear mandate: Get inventory levels under control. The VP of Sales, never being one to hold back an opinion, steps in to argue that the organization needs to become more competitive if it’s to survive. Right now, your promised lead times are the longest in the industry – even longer considering how often your promised delivery dates are not met.

Electronics 45

Electronics Tools Supply and Demand Metrics 45

synchrono

FEBRUARY 26, 2018

Most manufacturers have, at one time or another, deployed an “ERP add-on.” These are the bits and pieces of functionality sold through third parties that round out the capabilities of an ERP system. Common ERP add-ons can include core functionality like Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) and Supply Chain Planning (SCP), but for major ERP systems, there are dozens if not hundreds of add-ons available.

Supply Chain Planning 45

Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Planning Software Six Sigma Demand Planning Software 45

synchrono

AUGUST 4, 2015

What Grade of Sandpaper Will You Use? Part Four. Here we are at the final installment of our four-part, Sandpaper blog series about when to use the tools of Lean Manufacturing, the Theory of Constraints (TOC) and Six Sigma to address constraints, drive flow and promote continuous improvement.

Six Sigma 63

Six Sigma Lean Continuous Improvement Tools 63

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Just-in-Time

synchrono

OCTOBER 18, 2016

Lean Manufacturing relies heavily on trusted relationships with suppliers and pre-negotiated terms of engagement. Through the use of supplier quality certifications and blanket (long-term) purchase orders, a manufacturer can accurately and effectively calculate the optimal level of inventory needed to fulfill demand requirements through the duration of replenishment lead time. Ensuring supplier performance. When a relationship is setup with a supplier, a service level agreement is defined.

Lean 51

Lean Demand Planning Software Optimizaton Software Six Sigma 51

synchrono

OCTOBER 11, 2017

The manual Kanban cards that were the precursor to Lean Manufacturing have evolved into eKanban systems that automate inventory replenishment and reduce material waste. READ MORE on our guest post on EBN, the premier online community for global supply chain professionals. The post Doing more with less: Learning from Kanban appeared first on Synchrono. eKanban Inventory Lean Manufacturing ekanban inventory kanban lean manufacturing replenishment

Global 43

Global Supply Chain System Lean 43

synchrono

NOVEMBER 6, 2016

How reducing forecasting errors and disruption risks create better supplier relationships. . Building trust in the supply chain is essential to driving flow; and when there are forecast errors, there is an inherent mistrust throughout the supply chain. Lack of collaboration is often the cornerstone of conflict, blame, and mistrust between a manufacturer and suppliers. These communication breakdowns lead to finger-pointing when forecast errors and disputes arise.

Supply Chain Planning 47

Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Planning Software Just-in-Time Forecasting 47

synchrono

MARCH 23, 2017

End-to-end Visibility for Real-time Coordination, Communication, and Commitment. By applying demand-driven methods and synchronizing processes, manufacturers are reaching new levels of communication, profitability, and customer responsiveness. Demand-Dr iven Manufacturing incorporates the best of Lean manufacturing, Theory of Constraints (TOC), and Lean Six Sigma principles.

Supply Chain Strategy 43

Supply Chain Strategy Supply Chain Optimization Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Transformation 43

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Supply Chain Strategy

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OCTOBER 4, 2016

Aligning Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement Practices. Demand-driven manufacturing (DDM) is an approach to manufacturing where production is based on actual demand rather than forecasts. DDM enables a synchronized, closed loop between customer orders, production scheduling and manufacturing execution – all while simultaneously coordinating the flow of materials and resources across the supply chain.

Continuous Improvement 45

Continuous Improvement Manufacturing Case Study Big Data 45

synchrono

JUNE 4, 2015

Leveraging Project “Constraints” and Maximizing Results. As a project manager for demand-driven, lean manufacturing software, I have more than a nodding acquaintance with the theory of constraints (TOC). What I find quite remarkable is the ability to apply the theory of constraints to other mediums beyond the manufacturing of goods – even something like project work.

Lean 50

Lean Supply Chain Planning Software Software Demand Planning Software 50

synchrono

JULY 8, 2015

For your customers, it’s more than just connectivity. I was recently reading about the Industrial Internet of Things as it relates to my business—manufacturing software. It’s exciting that technologies are now available that will liberate manufacturers from the rigid systems and processes of the past. For today’s manufacturer, the IIoT boils down to the ability to capture and connect data from multiple sources to attain truly meaningful information.

Internet of things 48

Internet of things Six Sigma Modeling Modeling Software 48

synchrono

JULY 6, 2016

By Sarah Balogh. Made for Manufacturers. A common statement I hear from customers is that they are working with technology and software that doesn’t provide the functionality they need as manufacturers. They are told that certain enterprise software packages “can do everything” they need to plan, schedule, and run their factories. But months after implementation they feel a sense of disenchantment. Why is this? Software Made for Manufacturing.

Manufacturing 40

Manufacturing Supply Chain Planning Software Demand Planning Software Supply Chain Planning 40

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Supply Chain