How Can You Unlock Your ERP?

If you’re a supply chain leader that depends on ERP every day, you’re definitely familiar with ERP’s shortcomings. When it comes to managing all your supply chain data, providing alerts for inventory and shortage issues, driving standard work, and creating reports, ERP’s “features” are definitely limited. ERP systems are a critical part of your business, but they lack the tactical execution tools that are needed for today’s complex supply chain.

Occasionally, we hear companies ask “How is LeanDNA different than ERP?” Or, “Doesn’t my ERP already perform all the analytics my supply chain needs?” At first glance, they can seem similar. Here are the areas where ERPs need a little help – and how leveraging LeanDNA to fill the gaps results in substantial savings: Continue Reading “How Can You Unlock Your ERP?” →

By Manufacturing Best Practices

Supply Chain Best Practices: 3 Phrases to Stop Using at Work

There are some terms and phrases we all hear regularly in lean manufacturing. You really could write an entire dictionary to explain and interpret all the lingo! But there are some phrases in the factory that might make you turn your head for the wrong reasons. If you aim to follow supply chain best practices at work, here are three phrases you should eliminate from your vocabulary: Continue Reading “Supply Chain Best Practices: 3 Phrases to Stop Using at Work” →

By Manufacturing Best Practices

Lean Manufacturing: 26 Terms Lean Factory Professionals Should Know

To an outsider, the lean manufacturing world can look a little like alphabet soup. Within five minutes of any lean meeting, you will hear acronyms that can seem like the letters are strung together with no rhyme or reason.

But as you and your company embrace lean, those letters start to work like alphabet magnets on a refrigerator. They are purposefully arranged to form acronyms and concepts that separate lean from, well, not-lean. (Side note: “not-lean” is probably not a term real Lean pros would use.)

Let’s take a look at the following 26 terms to better understand what makes lean manufacturing effective. And who knows, we might just learn a term for “not-lean.” Continue Reading “Lean Manufacturing: 26 Terms Lean Factory Professionals Should Know” →

By Lean & Continuous Improvement

Case Study: How JR Automation Operationalizes Lean Six Sigma With LeanDNA

No matter where you are on your Lean journey, a tool designed specifically around Lean Six Sigma can drive success. In our newest case study, JR Automation proves that from launch to sustainability, LeanDNA’s technology drives continuous improvement results.

When JR Automation was preparing a company-wide Lean Six Sigma launch, the company wanted a system they could launch immediately to avoid a lengthy, difficult implementation of a custom solution built in SharePoint, Excel, or other disconnected systems. On top of that, they wanted a system that was easy to use, low-cost, and low maintenance. So they turned to LeanDNA’s Lean Projects tool. Continue Reading “Case Study: How JR Automation Operationalizes Lean Six Sigma With LeanDNA” →

By Lean & Continuous Improvement

How Top Aerospace Manufacturing Execs Exceed Shareholder Demands

What are today’s shareholders in aerospace and defense (A&D) manufacturing expecting from company leadership? Deloitte recently analyzed letters to shareholders from the top 20 A&D companies and discovered a few core management themes to drive sustained growth.

There are two standout themes worth exploring:

  1. Achieving long-term operational performance through better working capital management, process improvement, and program transformation
  2. Supporting continued business growth by investing in new technologies

Continue Reading “How Top Aerospace Manufacturing Execs Exceed Shareholder Demands” →

By Manufacturing Best Practices

LeanDNA in the News: Plant Engineering on the Future of Lean Project Management

LeanDNA in the news- Plant Engineering

What are the benefits of digitizing Lean project management? LeanDNA CEO Richard Lebovitz interviewed John Tackett, Director of Operational Excellence at Broadwind Energy, in Plant Engineering to share how Lean manufacturers are finding success with cloud-based tools. Below are highlights of the article, or you can read the full article here.

Continue Reading “LeanDNA in the News: Plant Engineering on the Future of Lean Project Management” →

By In the News

Lean Project Management: Benefits of Digitizing Your Processes

Originally featured in AME’s Target Online Magazine

These days, everything is moving online. From smart doorbells to Bluetooth-enabled Crock Pots, people everywhere are realizing the benefits of an interconnected world. The same goes for manufacturing: Cloud-based ERPs and factory networks are just a few of the web-based systems allowing manufacturers to operate better than ever before. And lean is no exception to this shift online.

Earlier this year, Broadwind Energy, a manufacturer of structures, equipment and components for clean technology, started their Lean Six Sigma journey with an online, lean project management system. We sat down with John Tackett, Director of Operational Excellence at Broadwind Energy, to learn more about how their journey began, the results they have seen with lean and some advice for taking your own lean project management online. Continue Reading “Lean Project Management: Benefits of Digitizing Your Processes” →

By Lean & Continuous Improvement

The Trouble With One-Way Analytics? Your Data is Useless Without Collaboration

Data analytics is entering a new frontier as teams disperse around the globe. New analytics technologies enable organizations to read deeper into the story behind their data. But more often than not, teams miss out on the benefits of new technology because they rely on tried-and-true methods to solve the problems of the future. One of those bad habits is turning to one-way analytics — inputting your data into spreadsheets to be emailed from user to user, one at a time to avoid multiple copies of the same document. The hope is that someone can glean useful information before relaying it back through the chain. Continue Reading “The Trouble With One-Way Analytics? Your Data is Useless Without Collaboration” →

By Manufacturing Best Practices

5 Pro Tips for Making the Most out of AME Boston

It may still feel like summer for many of us, but Autumn is just around the corner. And with Autumn comes AME’s annual event! This year, AME’s International Conference will fall (get it?) into Boston, MA from October 9th through 13th. And we at LeanDNA are excited to attend this year!

As with any show, attendees want to make the most of their experience. At AME, that means learning as much as possible about the latest in lean and continuous improvement. Here’s some expert tips for making the most out of AME Boston: Continue Reading “5 Pro Tips for Making the Most out of AME Boston” →

By Events

5 Ways To Strengthen Your Communication With A Supplier

Suppliers are your friends! Depending on your role in your organization, they may be your most important friends. A supply chain can become highly streamlined or remain stagnant based on relationship with your vendors. With less-than-perfect supplier communication, incorrect parts are shipped, dates are missed resulting in shortages for your business, and targets are missed. Not to mention all that stress, on both sides! If your supplier relationships are a bit bumpy at times, don’t worry — a little preparation and communication can go a long way. Here are 5 tips for improving communication with your suppliers and reaping the results.
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By Manufacturing Best Practices