November Fabricating & Metalworking Magazine to Profile Electronic Kanban

Manufacturing journalist Thomas R. Cutler (www.trcutlerinc.com) profiles the distinct benefits of electronic kanban in the November issue of Fabricating & Metalworking magazine (www.fandm.com), a leading Cygnus publication.

According to Sam Bayer, President of Datacraft Solutions, "Kanban is fundamentally about two things. It's a pull based replenishment systems that should be triggered by customer demand, and it's managed visually. Most organizations implement an internal kanban system first. No sense of imposing a just-in-time approach on supplies if it cannot be handled internally first. Where Datacraft shines is that we provide the communication system that provides an auditable control of all signals that leave the plant and go to suppliers. A benefit of our managing these supply chain interactions is that we capture each and every one in a central repository. This means we have the ability to mine the data to uncover areas for process improvement, further training, renegotiating of contracts terms, and more.'

Using lean manufacturing principles Datacraft Solutions (www.datacraftsolutions.com) web-based Signum Kanban systems delivers measurable goals and a clear implementation strategy. Signum allows manufacturers to maximize their efficiencies through unprecedented computerized process automation. By integrating bar code scanners, Signum enables automatic issues of signals directly to the supplier via email at the point of scan. Signum also contains an inventory level calculator which allows you to change the demand levels for a single component, finished good, or an entire product family to accommodate seasonal demand spikes. Calculations are automatically made and applied to the appropriate card(s) and any needed additional new cards printed.

Signum is ranked one of the simplest lean automation solutions available and has been recognized by users as very easy to learn. Unlike some ERP implementations, there is no complex setup process or difficult procedures to learn.

There had to be a simple solution to an electronic kanban that would put in place a system that was easy to learn for both planners and suppliers, and visible for everyone to function without confusion, supply concerns, and productivity impacts.

Datacraft Solutions' (www.datacraftsolutions.com) Signum is the leading web-based kanban automation system. Signum is the manufacturer's tool, integrating inventory barcode scanners and kanban cards into a web interface where buyers can plan and calculate their kanban requirements, automatically issue replenishment signals to suppliers, confirm receipt, and monitor status at all times. Customizable alerts and control signals control routine transactions and exceptions.