Eliminate manual data collection
How manufacturers can thrive in the recession
Coping with a global recession is difficult for many manufacturing companies.
Reduced demand and struggling global markets means that manufacturers are looking to slash costs, do more with less and simply survive. Most businesses use the apparently logical approach of reductions to staff, budgets, travel, using cheaper suppliers, in fact anything that cuts costs immediately.
However, all this does is starve the core infrastructure of the business to the point where it cannot function effectively. The result is that as the market recovers, these companies will continue to struggle and get left behind.
The more effective approach to blind cost cutting for short-term and long-term success is to invest in systems to make core processes leaner and more efficient.
Whilst many manufacturers have already invested in ERP and MES planning and scheduling systems it is surprising that few have implemented systems at the manufacturing asset level – actually monitoring the effectiveness of the assets themselves. Production monitoring is designed to automate and improve people intensive manufacturing processes.
Let’s look at four compelling reasons why production monitoring is a good investment in a recession;
Easy access to accurate information eliminates guesswork, hunches, departmental arguments and poor working practices.
By making a relatively small investment in fast payback, quick-to-implement technology, such as Plantrun, enables you to identify production loses, operate more efficiently with fewer resources, and keep your business operating at an effective level.
Doing the right things now will ensure you are well-positioned to leap forward as a faster, more effective and more agile organization when the economy rebounds.
Reduced demand and struggling global markets means that manufacturers are looking to slash costs, do more with less and simply survive. Most businesses use the apparently logical approach of reductions to staff, budgets, travel, using cheaper suppliers, in fact anything that cuts costs immediately.
However, all this does is starve the core infrastructure of the business to the point where it cannot function effectively. The result is that as the market recovers, these companies will continue to struggle and get left behind.
The more effective approach to blind cost cutting for short-term and long-term success is to invest in systems to make core processes leaner and more efficient.
Whilst many manufacturers have already invested in ERP and MES planning and scheduling systems it is surprising that few have implemented systems at the manufacturing asset level – actually monitoring the effectiveness of the assets themselves. Production monitoring is designed to automate and improve people intensive manufacturing processes.
Let’s look at four compelling reasons why production monitoring is a good investment in a recession;
Fast measurable cost savings.
Manufacturers that have implemented production monitoring typically report of 10% - 20% increase in throughput often as soon as it is commissioned. Used effectively to support ongoing lean manufacturing and continuous improvement programs results in dramatic and recurring cost savings as well as increased productivity and effectiveness.Increased efficiency
By identifying production losses and highlighting where to focus resources for best return, production monitoring enables greater throughput with the same or fewer resources to deliver more or reduce overhead. Quantifying production stoppages, the true cause of stoppages, operator efficiency etc can have a dramatic effect on efficiency, output and profits.Get more out of what you already have
Reducing loses, such as downtime, slow speed running, changeovers, setup, adjustments, over long comfort breaks, improves production output so that you effectively have higher capacity. By producing more with your existing resources you reduce losses and increase profit. Reduce manning levels, utilities cost etc.Greater visibility into production operations
PlantRun increases visibility of your operation and makes your process become more transparent. Management can leverage reports and dashboards based on live real-time information from the system to make educated decisions on the best ways to reduce losses (overhead) without impacting performance or customer service.Easy access to accurate information eliminates guesswork, hunches, departmental arguments and poor working practices.
Survive Now, Thrive Later
Times are tough and the pressure to cut costs has never been greater, but don’t let this pressure force you into bad business decisions that will handicap your organization for years to come.By making a relatively small investment in fast payback, quick-to-implement technology, such as Plantrun, enables you to identify production loses, operate more efficiently with fewer resources, and keep your business operating at an effective level.
Doing the right things now will ensure you are well-positioned to leap forward as a faster, more effective and more agile organization when the economy rebounds.