IDG reports, "During these tough economic times, manufacturers worldwide are more than ever relying on IT to ensure that they survive for the upturn." According to new research by consultant IDC, "manufacturers are currently re-assessing how they are doing their business and focusing on 'operational efficiencies.' The research on IDC Manufacturing Insights noted that the economic crisis is bringing out the best in companies."
The survey "was conducted Europe-wide last April 2009 and included operations managers (50 per cent of respondents), CEOs (25 per cent), and supply chain managers (25 per cent)." The study suggested "that in order to compete successfully, manufacturers must focus on 'operational excellence' where operations support the business strategies of the company."
And "while waiting for the economic situation to improve, the study noted that manufacturers are fostering innovation which was otherwise a low priority during 'normal business conditions.'"
Story courtesy of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. We are proud to be members of this society.
Business Improvement Experts... weald-business-solutions.co.uk
Monday, 7 December 2009
Business process management provides fast payback
Half of organisations using business process management (BPM) tools achieve a payback in 18 months or less—and fully 72% are there within two years.
That's among top findings of a survey by AIIM, which also reveals that, once the tools are in place and understood, further projects take an average of eight months to complete.
In addition to cost savings, users also report faster process throughput and improved compliance from more consistent processes. What's more, a majority of respondents feel they have only addressed one-fifth of the potentially profitable BPM projects, and consider BPM to be "'significant' or 'imperative'.
Doug Miles, director of market intelligence for AIIM, says that the survey shows a wide range of processes to which BPM has been successfully applied.
"Accounts payable is a popular application, scanning incoming invoices and matching them in the finance system. The survey also showed good results in customer support, proposal generation and a number of HR processes," he says.
"The biggest technical issue restricting growth is integration with other enterprise systems, although increasing use of service oriented architectures (SOA) can make this much easier. We also found that most organisations don't fully understand their current processes – or cannot agree what they are. This makes mapping and optimising difficult," adds Miles.
BPM has mixed origins in scanned document workflow and enterprise application integration. As a result, IT departments are likely to initiate BPM projects in a third of companies, whereas business managers take the lead in the next third.
Miles says that the survey confirms identifying an end-to-end process owner is one of the most important aspects of successful project management.
Story courtesy of Manufacturing Computer Solutions Journal
Business Improvement Experts... weald-business-solutions.co.uk
That's among top findings of a survey by AIIM, which also reveals that, once the tools are in place and understood, further projects take an average of eight months to complete.
In addition to cost savings, users also report faster process throughput and improved compliance from more consistent processes. What's more, a majority of respondents feel they have only addressed one-fifth of the potentially profitable BPM projects, and consider BPM to be "'significant' or 'imperative'.
Doug Miles, director of market intelligence for AIIM, says that the survey shows a wide range of processes to which BPM has been successfully applied.
"Accounts payable is a popular application, scanning incoming invoices and matching them in the finance system. The survey also showed good results in customer support, proposal generation and a number of HR processes," he says.
"The biggest technical issue restricting growth is integration with other enterprise systems, although increasing use of service oriented architectures (SOA) can make this much easier. We also found that most organisations don't fully understand their current processes – or cannot agree what they are. This makes mapping and optimising difficult," adds Miles.
BPM has mixed origins in scanned document workflow and enterprise application integration. As a result, IT departments are likely to initiate BPM projects in a third of companies, whereas business managers take the lead in the next third.
Miles says that the survey confirms identifying an end-to-end process owner is one of the most important aspects of successful project management.
Story courtesy of Manufacturing Computer Solutions Journal
Business Improvement Experts... weald-business-solutions.co.uk
Friday, 4 December 2009
Lean in the Public Sector
Had an interesting call yesterday afternoon from a care home manager who works for one of the local authorities.
I've been spending the last few weeks contacting the public sector to help them to achieve their efficiency targets through adopting lean. Some are becoming more receptive to it, and this call was a welcome enquiry to see how we could help them to better manage data and services across a number of homes.
We're meeting next week, it'll be interesting to see what they need.
Business Improvement Experts... weald-business-solutions.co.uk
I've been spending the last few weeks contacting the public sector to help them to achieve their efficiency targets through adopting lean. Some are becoming more receptive to it, and this call was a welcome enquiry to see how we could help them to better manage data and services across a number of homes.
We're meeting next week, it'll be interesting to see what they need.
Business Improvement Experts... weald-business-solutions.co.uk
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Now, this is what we're about...
Just received this in the minutes of a meeting, and it so accurately describes what we see and solve everyday. I have been crying with laughter - it's hilarious but neatly describes the problem...
"Since his original presentation XXXX has taken on a XXXXXXXX to help him 3 days a week. He hasn’t had time to go on a time management course."
If you found that similarly amusing EMAIL me via the links to my website; and do share it with your friends and colleagues. Or if you couldn't see the funny part EMAIL me anyway...
Honestly, I was crying with laughter; my wife said "what's going on over there?" and I couldn't even read it out as it's just so funny.
Business Improvement Experts... weald-business-solutions.co.uk
"Since his original presentation XXXX has taken on a XXXXXXXX to help him 3 days a week. He hasn’t had time to go on a time management course."
If you found that similarly amusing EMAIL me via the links to my website; and do share it with your friends and colleagues. Or if you couldn't see the funny part EMAIL me anyway...
Honestly, I was crying with laughter; my wife said "what's going on over there?" and I couldn't even read it out as it's just so funny.
Business Improvement Experts... weald-business-solutions.co.uk
Eli Goldratt interview
I came across THIS INTERVIEW, I hope you find it interesting!
In the 60 minute interview Eli talks about the new book's title (it's kinda obvious why he chose the title when you hear his reason), the three obvious lessons from the book and the three less obvious, but more important, reasons. You'll also hear about his next book, which he's currently writing ... and the four after that.
Business Improvement Experts... weald-business-solutions.co.uk
In the 60 minute interview Eli talks about the new book's title (it's kinda obvious why he chose the title when you hear his reason), the three obvious lessons from the book and the three less obvious, but more important, reasons. You'll also hear about his next book, which he's currently writing ... and the four after that.
Business Improvement Experts... weald-business-solutions.co.uk
Spyker Cars moves production to Coventry
By relocating its assembly lines from Zeewolde in Holland to Coventry, Spyker says it will achieve considerable improvements in efficiency and substantial cost-reductions. The relocation is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
As reported previously in Engineering Capacity, CPP (formerly known as Coventry Prototype Panels) is already manufacturing the complete aluminium chassis and body assemblies for all Spyker’s road and race cars.
Victor R. Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars stated: "In these challenging times, a small manufacturer like Spyker has to find ways to reduce costs as well as improve its efficiency. By relocating vehicle assembly to CPP (Manufacturing), which was Spyker's very first contracting partner at the inception of our company in 2000 and has been one of our most trusted partners ever since, we secure the future of our business.
“With approximately half of our vehicles’ parts and components sourced in the UK, and virtually all key suppliers being located there, moving closer to our suppliers and engineering partners will result in substantial savings and tangible efficiency improvements.”
Brendan O'Toole, Managing Director of CPP (Manufacturing), stated: "We have worked closely with Spyker since 2000 when we built their very first prototype chassis, and have grown with Spyker to become one of the leading low-volume manufacturers in the industry. We will maintain the highest standards of quality in the assembly of Spyker vehicles, while at the same time achieving significant cost reductions and operational efficiencies for Spyker.”
Story courtesy of Engineering Capacity journal
Business Improvement Experts... weald-business-solutions.co.uk
As reported previously in Engineering Capacity, CPP (formerly known as Coventry Prototype Panels) is already manufacturing the complete aluminium chassis and body assemblies for all Spyker’s road and race cars.
Victor R. Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars stated: "In these challenging times, a small manufacturer like Spyker has to find ways to reduce costs as well as improve its efficiency. By relocating vehicle assembly to CPP (Manufacturing), which was Spyker's very first contracting partner at the inception of our company in 2000 and has been one of our most trusted partners ever since, we secure the future of our business.
“With approximately half of our vehicles’ parts and components sourced in the UK, and virtually all key suppliers being located there, moving closer to our suppliers and engineering partners will result in substantial savings and tangible efficiency improvements.”
Brendan O'Toole, Managing Director of CPP (Manufacturing), stated: "We have worked closely with Spyker since 2000 when we built their very first prototype chassis, and have grown with Spyker to become one of the leading low-volume manufacturers in the industry. We will maintain the highest standards of quality in the assembly of Spyker vehicles, while at the same time achieving significant cost reductions and operational efficiencies for Spyker.”
Story courtesy of Engineering Capacity journal
Business Improvement Experts... weald-business-solutions.co.uk
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Sainsbury install charging points across London
Sainsbury's has revealed that it has installed a series of new charging points for electric vehicles across the capital.
The company has established the recharge network in the city to provide drivers with easier access to such facilities regardless of their location and it will be offered free of charge to customers.
According to the UK supermarket chain's commercial director, the points will serve to "turn London into an electric vehicle superhighway".
Neil Sachdev explained the firm is one of the largest users of electric vehicles in the UK, adding: "We hope that this initiative will encourage more of our customers to follow our lead."
Electric cars are quieter and cleaner than traditional options and a total of 11 Sainsbury's stores have now been equipped with the technology required to recharge them, a move that has been welcomed by mayor of London Boris Johnson. As part of its commitment to sustainability, Sainsbury's chief executive Justin King recently urged the government to address skills shortages within the green industry.
Story courtesy of the Institute of Operations Management. We are proud to be members of this institute.
Business Improvement Experts... weald-business-solutions.co.uk
The company has established the recharge network in the city to provide drivers with easier access to such facilities regardless of their location and it will be offered free of charge to customers.
According to the UK supermarket chain's commercial director, the points will serve to "turn London into an electric vehicle superhighway".
Neil Sachdev explained the firm is one of the largest users of electric vehicles in the UK, adding: "We hope that this initiative will encourage more of our customers to follow our lead."
Electric cars are quieter and cleaner than traditional options and a total of 11 Sainsbury's stores have now been equipped with the technology required to recharge them, a move that has been welcomed by mayor of London Boris Johnson. As part of its commitment to sustainability, Sainsbury's chief executive Justin King recently urged the government to address skills shortages within the green industry.
Story courtesy of the Institute of Operations Management. We are proud to be members of this institute.
Business Improvement Experts... weald-business-solutions.co.uk
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