by I2DS | Dec 1, 2021 | Blogs
Ever since Industrial Revolution changed the way the world looks at production, Factories have been pivotal parts of our daily life, as an Operations professional I can’t imagine a day without visiting a factory. Factories around the world produce everything that we can possibly think of right from Chewing Gums to Parachutes to Jet Engines. What remains common in such diverse manufacturing processes is the ‘Goal’, the goal of any manufacturing organization, no matter what it produces, is Profit-Maximization. Profit-Maximization can only be achieved by improving the process performance by cutting costs and increasing output. However, it’s easier said than done, there are many forces every organization faces on a daily basis, some forces are external and some are internal. These forces tend to shape the way in which a Factory performs its operations. Factory Managers around the world have struggled to fight these forces and keep the performance of their operations streamlined with their strategic goals. To have an efficient performance, that is flexible enough to accommodate the pressure applied by various forces, we need the ability to monitor and control our Day-to-Day activities effectively. So, the question that pops up in your mind is- How do I monitor my daily operations, what is the level of control I can achieve? The answer is- You need the ability to know what is happening on the factory floor, what are the issues that are of priority, the ability to make decisions in real time and the ability to control the process on the go. At I2DS we are dealing with diverse customers, some with High Volume Manufacturing, Others with Huge R&D Labs requiring flexible manufacturing etc. We have been able to understand the pain points of our customers and provide them the right solution for them. I2DS has been able to achieve high standards in terms of Operational Performance and Efficiency as we are aware of the ‘Goal’ and our vast experience in dealing with diverse and complex operations gives us and our customers the edge they require to handle their performance effectively and improve their bottom line. To know more about the solutions suitable for your factory, e-mail us at info@i2ds.com
by I2DS | Nov 29, 2021 | Blogs
It is vital during the vendor engagement process to define the guidelines that vendors must adhere too. Not having standards can lead to unnecessary headaches for both the customer and the vendor during the tool bring up process. I2DS engages with the vendors on the customer’s behalf during the vendor engagement process and institutes an MES Standards document that defines the customer’s requirements for software, hardware, documentation, and various other items. This helps the customer take the guess work out and allows them to focus on the more critical issues.
by I2DS | Nov 26, 2021 | Blogs
FIS stands for Factory Information System; it is an application which is considered crucial by automation experts. There are many versions and variants in which an FIS can be applied in a factory but we will look into that part a bit later in the article. Right now let’s focus on what an FIS really is and what makes it so necessary for modern factories. To begin with let us focus on the value of information, and the need to have real time info about the factory floor. Every manager irrespective of position or function will agree with me when I say that the correct information obtained at the right time is considered priceless. The reason behind this statement is that information that is gained a little too late has already caused some amount of damage, even though it might not be palpable at that point of time.
There is an ever present need to obtain information at the right time and for that information to reach the right person. Let us imagine a scenario where an engineer notes a leakage from a very expensive piece of machinery, he changes the seal which was causing the leakage and notes it in his journal. This particular episode is not noted any where else and the maintenance manager remains completely unaware of the event. Now, the leak still persists and is noted by another engineer, he too does what the first engineer had done. This way the root cause of the problem remains undetected, till it is brought to the manager’s notice and by the time an important part of the machinery has already failed. This causes losses that are multifaceted in nature; there is loss of money, machine up-time, labor, spare parts etc.
Such events and losses become hard to miss when an FIS system is in place. The FIS system is designed to record every event on the factory floor and can be viewed by the entire factory team. This application can also be used to provide training, inspiration and motivation to the workforce. However like I had mentioned earlier the functionality of the application can be defined by the management committee in-charge of deciding the extent and features of the application. The key thing is to realize the importance of the application to begin with and then comes the features and functionality of the application.
I2DS has developed a unique FIS solution. Our FIS system is truly at the forefront of technological advancements in the manufacturing space. It enables rapid data communication from the production floor and provides the organization with a real-time status on equipment status, WIP profile, and other factory metrics. We at I2DS realize the importance of process related information and how the flow of this information can affect the bottom line of your organization. Our FIS gives management a complete picture of what is happening on their Factory Floor, this helps better and faster decision making, that in turn increases organizational flexibility and aids continuous improvement.
Factory Information Systems help you better utilize your equipment, make better tactical plans, improve cycle time, locate and relieve bottlenecks and achieve your true capacity. FIS system can provide above mentioned functionalities because it makes all the important metrics available for analysis and subsequent decision making in real-time. FIS Technology if used effectively can change the way your factory operates, let I2DS be your automation partner and reach the pinnacle of efficiency and profit optimization. To get an experience of our amazing FIS solution and other Factory Automation Solutions e-mail us right away at info@i2ds.com
by I2DS | Nov 25, 2021 | Blogs
here are two universal variables each organization deals with and it is these variables that determine the shape, size and future of the operations in every Organization. These variables are Market Forces and Internal Capabilities. Both these factors are constantly changing and interdependent, this means that every organization in the world keeps changing as per changes in these factors. In present day and age most operations in the world have become customer centric and Quality of products has become the most important deliverable. The above statement implies that now the market forces are stronger than ever and most successful organizations have realized this and have been able to successfully alter their internal capabilities accordingly. It is the pursuit of this dynamic equilibrium between market forces and internal capabilities that has cause a sea change to cycle time and TTM.
Due to smarter consumers and their short attention span, the cycle time required for product development and marketing it has become shorter than ever. The total time taken from the conception of a product till it’s ready to sell is called Time-To-Market or simply TTM. The market leader has the luxury of a higher TTM; the followers unfortunately do not have this luxury. For industries in which the products are outmoded or need updating continuously the TTM is even smaller for example the Software industry, FMCG industry etc. Shorter TTM means higher pressure on the R&D and Marketing function, but even the other verticals are also under a constant and ever increasing pressure.
So how do you survive in such difficult times? How do you ensure you can sustain under the adverse market conditions and still improve your bottom line? To reduce the TTM, it is vital to have MES applications that allow quick decision making and reduce cycle time. MES applications that are dedicated to your process will help you achieve the TTM you are looking for. MES applications allow seamless integration of all verticals in your production process and can help reduce the cycle time drastically. This happens because such systems help process information in real-time at all levels of management, thereby achieving a better and more cohesive development of products and services. But any off the shelf solution will not be the correct choice if you have a complex process and need to improve your TTM in a large way. You need a process specific solution that can adapt to your unique needs.
An MES application needs careful design and consideration of your process in every aspect. This application can help you achieve a flexible and highly adaptive operation, but the choice of the MES provider is a vital constraint to your success. Such applications can not be purchased off the shelf as general applications will never provide you the desired functionality. MES application design needs a combination of Operational expertise and Software design proficiency, these skills allow for an MES application that is process specific and can lead to great reduction in cycle time. If you have any questions about the pressures your Organization is facing to reduce cycle time and how to cope and better manage your process, please write into us at info@i2ds.com.
by I2DS | Nov 24, 2021 | Blogs
What is profitability? Is it just making more and more money? Is it the blind pursuit of profit where no attention should be paid to the means of achieving it? The views on profitability might differ drastically depending on many socio-economic factors, what is important is that we realize why profitability is perceived differently around the world and what should be the true meaning of profitability in today’s economic environment. Profitability is perceived and pursued differently in different regions of the world and this difference arises due to the country’s economic maturity and the society’s general beliefs and its perception business ethics. Ideally any organization in business wants to achieve profit maximization, which is a valid thought; increasing value for the stakeholders is the number 1 priority of all firms. But it is the means of achieving higher profitability that becomes important in present context.
Sustainable Profitability, Social Responsibility and Ethical Conduct are a few aspects of modern theory of profitability and profit maximization cannot occur at the expense of these aspects. To achieve such profitability the organization needs thorough understanding of its own capabilities and its external environment. Let’s concentrate on the term Sustainable Profitability, and how can it be achieved in manufacturing operations considering the drastic changes in customer preferences, high speed of technological development and growing global competition. Sustainable Profitability comprises the achievement of maximum possible profitability under the given set of conditions and the effort required to sustain it in the given market conditions. Yes, sustaining long term profits is much more important than earning massive profits in the short term. In Manufacturing Industry, achieving higher sustained profitability is a function of productivity, which is both optimized and flexible. When we say optimized productivity we mean that the process produces the best possible output with the given resources, technology and employee skills, at minimal cost. When we say flexible productivity we mean productivity that is capable of reacting and adjusting to environmental changes, which are mostly uncertain. For a process to achieve sustainable profits, it should be both optimal and flexible at the same time.
This desired productivity, is again a function of automation and technical competence of the process and how well it is managed and controlled. To achieve process automation and reach the desired level of efficiency and flexibility, it is extremely important that IT applications like MES are considered. Successful MES applications have the power to combine the two most important facets of better productivity which are Operations Management and Technology. These are the two factors that can make an ordinary operation a very efficient and successful one. An MES application combines both these facets of Operation; it is a combination of Information Technology and Operations Management. Manufacturing Organizations can benefit immensely by the application of MES application, as it provides both automation but also Integration of their entire production process under one comprehensive system. But choosing just any MES application can be very risky and lead to massive losses and develop a negative attitude in the workforce.
To be able to design the perfect MES application, expertise in both Technology and Ops Management are prerequisites. As I mentioned earlier, every manufacturing process has some unique attributes, an MES provider should be able to assess these unique feature and use them in the MES application so as to further benefit the customer’s Organization. I2DS is one such company that can boast of expertise in both Information Technology and Operations Management. The team of experts at I2DS has worked for few of the top organizations world wide and is renowned for its skills in Factory Automation, Information Technology, Data Management and Operation Management. This means that the team does not take any manufacturing process for granted, each process is carefully analyzed to determine the scope and functionality of an MES application.
I2DS brings more to the table than any other MES application provider in the industry. Every MES solution provided is tailor made to suit the present and future technology of the client, with the main aim of making Operation Management more efficient and decision making more concrete. If you also value Technology and Operations Management and believe that your MES application should facilitate these factors, I2DS is the best partner for you. To know more about our solution or to get your process analyzed by our panel of experts, e-mail us at info@i2ds.com or hit the Request Live Demo tab on this webpage and we will get back to you.
by I2DS | Nov 23, 2021 | Blogs
What separates an ordinary company from an extraordinary one? Why are some Organizations able to adapt faster to changes and achieve higher market shares? What makes Organizations like Intel, Samsung, Boeing and Toyota, the Best-In-Class companies? The answers to these questions are similar to some extent. Every Organization that has been able to understand their customers and successfully convert their needs, into products and services has been able to become Best-In-Class. An extraordinary Organization does not aim at doing different things, but doing things differently, by understanding their capabilities and market requirements better than their competition.
Companies that have been able to embrace the new technologies and implement them successfully in their operations are experiencing unprecedented growth and market share. Information Technology has helped firms perform processes differently, thereby reducing related costs and increasing process efficiency. It is only through advanced applications of IT solution that the Best-In-Class companies have achieved their coveted status. Besides management practices, workforce knowledge, resource base and market conditions, IT is the most important contributor to the success of an Organization.
Manufacturing Organizations in particular have been able to outperform their competition by the implementation of Manufacturing Execution Systems or MES solutions. So what is an MES solution? Well, an MES application, as the name suggests helps better and more reliable execution of a manufacturing process, it gives higher degree of control over the process and allows real-time decision making. Such applications have proven to be extremely successful in controlling costs and increasing throughput. There are many players in the MES space, that provide MES solutions, but who is the right partner for you?
I2DS has developed one of the most respected MES applications in the world today. Our solution is capable of adapting and changing itself to suit your operation’s needs. We are successful in MES because we are not just an IT company; our team of experts has more than 100 years of experience in fortune 500 companies in Operations Management. We understand the importance of factors that are unique and inherent in every process; our solutions reflect the individuality of our customer’s process. We have been able to achieve operational excellence through the application of our MES products in different operations from diverse industries. So if you are looking for a partner who would understand your process first and then devise the best solution accordingly, I2DS is the best choice for you. To get a demo of our product made to fit your production process, e-mail us at info@i2ds.com or just hit the request live demo tab on this webpage and our team will get back to you.
