by I2DS | Jun 15, 2023 | Blogs
What are the true metrics of Manufacturing Excellence? Is it merely a phrase or has a deeper more palpable meaning? Why is excellence in Manufacturing desired? Are the Manufacturing Excellence packages available today capable of achieving their namesake? Let’s try and understand and answer these questions from an organizational and operations point of view. Quality, Cost, Speed, Dependability and Flexibility are the top five competitive priorities for any Organization. It was always thought that to achieve excellence in one of the above priorities another one has to be traded off. This school of thought still exists, but another theory advocates that the pursuit of attaining process excellence can help attain excellence in most of the priorities above mentioned. These competitive priorities in my opinion are the true metrics of excellence of any manufacturing operation. For Organizations that rely heavily on manufacturing, discreet or process, achieving manufacturing excellence is the only way to be more competitive and gain a larger market share.
Excellence can be achieved when simplicity in decision making and the subsequent action, results from monitoring and control of complex processes. Integration of the entire plant, process and personnel is vital for achieving manufacturing excellence. This integration can result only with the help of an information system that provides a seamless and holistic view of the vital process and personnel related parameters. This system should allow effective monitoring and efficient control for the entire process and aid real time decision making and action. There are many packages available in the market for Manufacturing Excellence, but is just any package the right package?
I believe every manufacturing process is unique; this is because of the fact that each organization has an inherent set of resources and unique environmental conditions. Thus a Manufacturing Excellence application should be process specific and not general. Every Operations manager gives importance to certain parameters, for the sake of this discussion lets say Quality, Safety, Equipment and Factory Communication. If the package available cannot capture the details of the parameters above mentioned, it is rendered useless for this particular Organization.
I2DS has devised a Manufacturing Excellence solution that can fit to your process and give you the power of monitoring and controlling the process parameters you consider vital. So if you believe that Safety, Quality, Factory Communication and Equipment issues are important cost centers and need to be monitored and controlled effectively, I2DS’ Manufacturing Excellence allows you to do exactly that. You have the capability to assign priorities and owners to each issue, see the real time actions and judge the performance of the entire process or the performance of individual parameters. With I2DS as your Excellence partner, you will never miss a vital issue and will be able to reduce the operating costs drastically, thereby achieving better profitability. With I2DS you can gain process excellence and this would help you become the Best-In-Class Operation. So open your doors to Manufacturing Excellence and I2DS, write into us at info@i2ds.com, and give us the opportunity to help you achieve excellence in all your competitive priorities.
by I2DS | Jun 13, 2023 | Blogs
Technology and efficient management of data are the major drivers of operational excellence in the current industrial scenario. It is through harnessing and better application of modern technology that companies have been able to achieve Economies of Scale/Scope and develop more flexible, quality oriented production lines. Today the perception of technology has had a paradigm shift from process improvement to process integration and continuous improvement. Data Management has become a critical issue in the strategic planning of Organizations, Information processing and knowledge management are now the prime concerns. Effective Data-Management forms the back bone of the Technological Development efforts in any modern Organization.
Each Organization in the world generates large volumes of Data every day, every hour, every minute; practically all the time. However this data becomes useless if not stored in a proper Database and not processed in a strong Database Management System. Today IT is the biggest concern globally and opposed to normal belief these concerns are not being eliminated rather they are escalating, as the products being manufactured worldwide are becoming more and more complex and the need to have the right info as and when required is more intense than ever. There are a myriad of Database Management products and so called ‘solution’ providers, who are hell bent on selling you a standard package for your operation. A robust data management system needs to be tailor made to your operations.
So if you are a Manufacturing Organization seeking a robust data management system and don’t want to go for a standard package with limited functionality, then what should you do? The answer is you need to gauge your requirement and ask your self these questions- 1) Do we need a real time database management and data processing capabilities? 2) Do we require to Tap Data directly from tools to our MES or present System? 3) Do we require features Like SPC, APC, RFID integration, Inventory & Ops Management? 4) Do we need to monitor Safety, Quality and Equipment issues in real time? If the answer to all or majority of these questions is ‘YES’, then you need to consider I2DS as your strategic partner.
We at I2DS understand the prevalent issues pertaining to Data Management and Data Architecture and we are committed to work out the best solutions for our customers, our aim is to provide world class Information Solutions at reasonable prices. Our team of experts specializes in Database Management and Database Architecture. They analyze every operation and respect the fact that all operations are unique. This belief helps them design and implement a Database Management system that is tailor made just for you and performs to your expectations. So If you want your Data Management problems to disappear you should mail us right away at info@i2ds.com or Click on the Request Live Demo button on our web site.
by I2DS | Jun 8, 2023 | Blogs
I truly believe that, necessity is the mother of all invention, it is this very need of human beings to be better, faster, safer and most profitable, that has transformed the way industries function today. Factories have become the breeding grounds for newer, more capable technologies. The rate of automation and industrialization in all segments of the manufacturing industry is at an all time high. Organizations have realized the value of Information Technology and the role it can play in process integration and profit maximization. There has been an explosion of IT applications that are being developed and employed by Organizations worldwide to attain high standards for Quality and reduce Costs at the same time.
MES or Manufacturing Execution Systems are IT applications that are being employed by a myriad of manufacturing plants for process automation and integration. MES is a solution that helps you integrate your entire factory operations on a single platform and gives you a more comprehensive view of what is happening on your factory floor. MES has proved to be an effective tool for Organizations that are striving for better Quality, better Process Control, better Integration and above all better Profitability. Any factory operation, irrespective of volumes can be made better and more productive by going for an MES application. MES integration also allows you to focus on your Core Competencies and helps you manage your process effectively and more importantly improves your efficiency.
MES Integration is possible for all Organizations, but is it an easy task? Well, for that you need a Partner like I2DS and I will explain why as we move along. MES application is very different from other generic software applications, as it is process specific and each process is unique due to the unique combination of external factors and internal capabilities. I2DS believes that each MES application should be tailor made to suit the requirements of the client and we strive to provide just that. Our MES solution aims to provide the best possible process integration and control at the lowest cost, our main aim remains to make a substantial and sustainable difference to our client’s bottom line.
If you have an Operation that requires better Quality, higher Speed, better Flexibility, greater Dependability and lower Cost, I2DS is just the ally you want. We believe that MES application is a strategic choice and should have the blessing and support of the top management, we also believe that once employed an MES application has the potential to boost the profitability of the operation tremendously. So, if you would like to know how an MES application can prove beneficial for your plant, don’t wait, just e-mail us at info@i2ds.com or just leave a comment in the requisite space and we will get back to you.
by I2DS | Jun 7, 2023 | Blogs
There are two universal variables each organization deals with and it is these variables that determine the shape, size and future of the operations. 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.
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 systems that allow quick decision making, that reduce cycle time. Information systems that are dedicated to your process will help you achieve the TTM you are looking for. Information systems that provide seamless integration of all verticals 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.
At I2DS, we have got the answers to all your questions, we have a strong belief that only an Organization that has flexible operations can survive in today’s cut throat market. Our solutions are aimed at providing your organization with rapid development times, quick cycle times and fully integrated operations. We achieve this through our state-of-the-art MES, Manufacturing Excellence, Data Management and Factory Automation solutions. These solutions adapt to your operations and then integrate it to make it a cohesive and flexible unit; each solution is equipped with powerful tools that provide unparalleled functionality. These powerful tools drastically reduce your TTM, but to see these tools in action and know more about them you have to get in touch with us at info@i2ds.com.
by I2DS | Jun 6, 2023 | Blogs
How important is SPC in your Organization? Is your SPC application capable of delivering high class and potent decision making info? Do you need a better SPC application? These questions are extremely critical if you are a manufacturing Organization that has highly complex processes and high quality standards for your final products. SPC application today requires being highly efficient and delivering much more than just basic trend charts. If your SPC application is delivering just Trend Charts you are not fully utilizing the power an SPC application can truly provide. A truly potent and capable SPC should be capable of applications like CpK Charts, Real-Time Process Data, Trends feedback, Tool Shutdown, SMS Text Capabilities, E-mail alerts and other process specific charts and reports. At I2DS we realize the value a good SPC tool in your Organization’s system can add value to your entire operations. Our SPC solution is integrated in our MES system and it allows the above mentioned functionalities in real time. This makes your control function extremely powerful as you can monitor SPC data in real time and make decisions simultaneously, that too without having to use any other system/tool for analysis. Our SPC might appear magical to a common man but it’s a powerful tool for a manager who deals with issues like quality and cost of production. I2DS’ SPC has the capability to integrate and compare the process data from multiple factories of the Organization, providing you a comprehensive analysis tool. Our SPC is the perfect Quality and Equipment ‘Doctor’, because it helps you diagnose and cure every issue pertaining to them. The reports that our SPC generates helps you get a 360 degree view of the entire operation and this helps you make more accurate and profitable decisions. So for a live demo e-mail us at info@i2ds.com or request a Live Demo on this web page.
by I2DS | Jun 5, 2023 | Blogs
Information Technology is one of the most important areas of strategic planning and decision making for modern day organizations. IT decisions become even more critical because the top management of most organizations have limited knowledge of IT applications and relevant costs. All organizations feel the need to implement better IT infrastructure, but how to go about it, remains a crucial question. In most organizations IT services are outsourced, this makes sense considering the need to concentrate on core competencies. But while outsourcing IT services and applications it is important to understand the implications involved and take a decision after weighing the pros and cons of the situation.
It is indeed necessary to implement better IT infrastructure and have the operation of the organization automated. However, one should remember that once a mistake is made in choosing the right application or the right technology partner, it would be very difficult to deal with repercussions if the project does not work as desired. Even when purchasing a simple inventory or accounting software, it is important to understand the functionality that is desired and the functionality being offered by the selected product. As IT products become more advanced, the process of choosing the right application becomes more and more complex.
For companies that manufacture products, irrespective of their process, an MES application is highly desired to achieve a high level of automation and integration. There are many players in the MES market and all of them claim to have the best product. But what you need to look out for is whether that MES application suits your operations or not. Buying an Off The Shelf MES application has many implications, such as, there would be a need to change your process to suit the application, due to the changes made in the process the level of resistance received from the work force will be a lot higher and there are many other problems that may arise depending on the application selected and the degree of change to be made in the production process. I am strictly against the philosophy of ‘One size fits all’, especially in the case of MES applications.
I think it is easier to design an application that can automate and integrate the present process, as is, without making substantial changes in the process. Tailor made MES applications have proven to perform better and face lesser resistance from the work force. While making the decision of acquiring an MES application for your Factory, please remember that you should work with a company that understands operations in your industry and is willing to design a product to improve and integrate your current operations rather than change it completely. I2DS is one such company, we believe that every production process is unique and has different internal and external environments. We believe that a thorough study of a production process and an in depth research of the entire operation is required before designing and implementing an MES application.
I2DS has the most revered team of professionals both from IT and Ops Management background and our team of experts design our MES applications to better suit your process. If you need an MES application, get in touch with us and we will guide you towards a better more efficient solution, which will truly fulfill your needs of automaton and integration. We will visit your plant, analyze your process and then guide you towards an MES solution that will deliver the desired functionality. So what are you waiting for, e-mail us at info@i2ds.com or just hit the Request Live Demo, Tab and we will surely get back to you.
