White Papers

Exploring eKanban: Push v. Pull Manufacturing

If you’re considering a shift from a traditional, push-based MRP manufacturing system to a more adaptive pull-based system, this white paper is a must read. While contrasting both types of systems, the paper explores the nature of pull-based manufacturing and the evolution of eKanban systems to support today’s demand-driven manufacturing environments.

Kanban Series White Paper: Gaining Clarity: Drive Productivity, Flow and Profit with Data that Matters

Many of today’s discrete manufacturers are overcoming the challenges of legacy push-based systems by turning to pull-based eKanban software systems that focus on throughput and flow and result in a reduction in costs and inventory. This resource explores manufacturing Kanban systems from a management perspective, detailing the benefits of a more predictable environment with the decision-making power gained through deeper access to real time data and analytics.

Kanban Series White Paper: Gaining Confidence: Syncing Supplier Delivery to Customer Demand

Demand-driven and lean production allows manufacturers to be more responsive to consumer needs while increasing their own profitability. It also reduces the reliance on forecasts by linking demand signals and providing real-time data directly to suppliers. Customers, in turn, demonstrate their confidence by eliminating buffers. This works to build lasting client relationships by ensuring customer service that exceeds expectations and drives results. Download this resource to learn more.

Kanban Series White Paper: Gain a Competitive Advantage for Bottom-Line Results

In this white paper, we look at the competitive edge Demand-Driven Manufacturers gain by not only being devoted to driving flow and eliminating waste, but also in enabling their organizations to become best-in-class by using Pull and eKanban software technology. These manufacturers provide valuable opportunities to their customers and, because of their Lean Manufacturing approach and continuous improvement efforts, are equipped to increase their effectiveness, productivity and capacity while achieving a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Kanban Series White Paper: Common Barriers to Moving from Push to Pull Manufacturing

This resource addresses the following challenges:

• Organizations initiate material replenishment automation programs without properly analyzing processes and priorities for internal and external stakeholders.
• Manufacturers are unsure about their current replenishment capabilities within ERP and other systems, and are unsure whether to fix, buy or build a solution to gain the capabilities they need.
• Disruptions in leadership and a change-averse environment can create barriers to improved production flow and automating processes.
• Unanswered questions regarding whether a replenishment solution can enhance flow and enable continuous improvements.

Back to Top

Thought Leadership Articles

Thought Leadership: Going eKanban

This article provides insight for manufacturers currently using a manual Kanban process (physical cards) or homegrown Kanban software for replenishment that they have outgrown. This paper will answer:

1. When is the right time to move to an automated eKanban software system?
2. Steps for a successful eKanban rollout.
3. Typical eKanban results

Thought Leadership: 8 Forms of Waste in Lean Manufacturing

At the heart of lean manufacturing is one very simple principle: remove as much waste as possible from your processes.

Lean practitioners have identified 8 forms of waste that occur in manufacturing. And while there are many ways to eliminate these 8 forms of waste, when comparing the level of effort to potential return, implementing eKanban is one of the most attractive lean initiatives there is. Download 8 Forms of Waste to learn how SyncKanban^® eKanban software addresses each form of waste.

Thought Leadership: Get Lean on Scrap

Every year, manufacturers lose profits when they scrap materials and finished goods because of damage or obsolescence. In fact, the cost of scrap is far more than the cost of the material itself. Hiding behind every dollar of scrapped inventory are several more dollars lost in storage, productivity, customer satisfaction and potential revenues.

This paper reviews one of the hidden benefits of eKanban software: Scrap reduction. Download Get Lean on Scrap to learn how SyncKanban^® software can help address the most common causes of scrap and accelerate your efforts in applying Lean principles in your organization. You’ll learn:

• How to use Manufacturing, Supplier and Tugger Route eKanbans to reduce defective, damaged and obsolete inventory
• Why you should pay attention to a new metric: Queue Turns
• How one manufacturer reduced 90% of their scrap in just three months

Thought Leadership: 4 Ways SyncKanban^® eKanban Technology Drives Continuous Improvement

Every year, right-sizing inventory tops the list of strategic goals for many manufacturers. But right-sizing inventory is never a “once and done” initiative. Even in demand-driven manufacturing environments where replenishment is linked to demand, there is room for continuous improvement. This paper focuses on how you can use several features within SyncKanban^® eKanban Software to continuously improve inventory management in your organization.

Back to Top

Customer Case Studies

Customer Case Study: Orbital ATK Proves the Merits of SyncKanban^®

This case study reviews the strategy and results of a new Lean project at the Aerospace Structures Division (ASD) of Orbital ATK. The goal of the project was to impact two key inventory metrics – improve inventory turns and reduce inventory cost; specifically, waste associated with material scrap.

• 30% WIP Inventory Reduction
• 90% Reduction in Scrap
• Consolidated 16 Replenishment Processes into SyncKanban^®

Download the case study to learn why this project was awarded one of the top 100 supply chain projects by Supply & Demand Chain Executive.

Customer Case Study: Dynisco

Today’s manufacturing eKanban software systems are not only equipped to manage highly complex environments, but provide a wealth of hidden benefits. Benefits that Dynisco, a leading materials testing and extrusion-control instrumentation manufacturer, realized after implementing SyncKanban^® software, an electronic manufacturing Kanban solution from Synchrono^®.

In upgrading from a manual to a manufacturing eKanban software system, Dynisco addressed 5 key business challenges and achieved significant reductions in inventory costs, lead times and more. What’s more, their 66-step manual manufacturing Kanban process to report inventory and supplier data was reduced to just 6 easy steps.

Back to Top

Videos

Video: SyncKanban^® Manufacturing eKanban Software

Back to Top

Product Information

Brochure: SyncKanban^® eKanban Software

eKanban Pull-Based Inventory Replenishment Software for Supply Chain Execution and Collaboration

SyncKanban^® eKanban software synchronizes demand and inventory by monitoring consumption and replenishment across every facet of the manufacturing cycle in real-time. Simple to use, yet sophisticated enough to handle highly complex manufacturing environments, SyncKanban^® helps right-size your inventory for bottom-line results.

Back to Top

FAQs

FAQs: SyncKanban^® Software

eKanban Pull-Based Inventory Replenishment Software for Supply Chain Execution and Collaboration

SyncKanban^® manufacturing eKanban software provides continuously refreshed, powerful information to right-size inventory levels and maximize workflow. It monitors consumption and replenishment across every facet of the manufacturing cycle – from suppliers to manufacturing to transfer kanbans – healing the performance problems that come with unsynchronized, systems. The solution also creates a collaborative relationship with suppliers and allows sales to make promises they can keep. SyncKanban^® provides the ability to respond accurately and instantly from any point in the KLoop^® to eliminate strains on the system before they impact delivery times or customer relationships. Data-based reporting empowers decision making and allows supply managers to focus on more value-added activities, delivering more capacity and a competitive advantage.

Back to Top

Demand-Driven Matters Podcast

Podcast: Part 4 of the 5 Key Elements that Drive Flow – Extend to the Supply Chain

This episode of Demand-Driven Matters is the fourth in the series focusing on the 5 key elements that drive demand-driven manufacturing production flow. In this episode, the focus is on how to engage and synchronize the external supply chain through proactive communication, consumption-based replenishment and more.

Back to Top