Implementing Kanban Alternatives in Lean Manufacturing
Many people equate Lean manufacturing with the use of kanbans: physical or visual signals that trigger replenishment. While kanban use is indeed a part of many Lean programs, it is not the only solution for triggering the movement of material. Kanban has its place, but there are more appropriate alternative approaches in situations where kanban is not a good fit.
Provided by: Consona

Aberdeen Report: Benchmarking ERP in Small Manufacturing
This report focuses on the decision-making process in SMB manufacturing companies to install and/or upgrade ERP software and ways to maximize return on investment in those systems.
Provided by: Consona

Project-Oriented Manufacturing: "How to Resolve the Critical Business Issues That Impact Organizational Competitiveness"
Identify and discuss the unique and critical business issues with which an Engineer-To-Order (ETO) or project-oriented manufacturer must contend. Also, outline the newly formed body of good business practice that resolves these issues. This new body of knowledge is a logical fusion of formerly disparate approaches to: business acquisition, configuration management, project scheduling, detailed scheduling and control, project accounting and revenue recognition into a cohesive business system. This paper follows the lifecycle of a project.
Provided by: Consona

The Impact of Microsoft.NET on the ERP Market
A low rumble is emanating from Microsoft about its new .NET initiative. The volume is rising. Have you heard it? You will. .NET (pronounced "Dot Net") will be ringing in our ears by fall 2001 when the first .NET software is officially released and Microsoft brings its marketing machine up to full power.
Provided by: Consona

Why .NET Technology is Important for ERP
The release of Microsoft's landmark technology called .NET ("dot net") posed an unprecedented challenge for all ERP companies. While the public has only recently become aware of Microsoft .NET, among ERP software vendors the key strategic decisions about how to apply .NET occurred back in 2000. The direction each vendor has chosen to go in leveraging .NET technology has cast their fate and stands to impact each of their customers on a strategic scale over the next few years.
Provided by: Consona

Implementing Lean Manufacturing Principles in an A&D Environment
Lean manufacturing is a management philosophy, enabled and supported by various techniques, to eliminate any form of non-value adding activity. With terms like "lot size of one", "continuous flow", and "pull production", lean manufacturing has primarily been associated with the factory floors of short run, repetitive manufacturers. In an Aerospace and Defense (A&D), government regulations often impose very different business practices than those followed in the commercial sector.
Provided by: Consona

Understanding Service-Oriented Architecture and Its Impact on Small Manufacturers
Service-oriented architecture (SOA) continues to emerge as the dominant technical platform for building next generation business applications. The potential of SOA to transform enterprise software applications has been well documented within leading industry trade publications. This white paper will attempt to cut through the hype surrounding the technology by (1) examining the manufacturing pains that are driving the conversion to service-oriented business applications, (2) breaking down the essence of SOA, (3) focusing on the relevance of SOA as a tool for continuous business process improvement, and (4) comparing and contrasting the Made2Manage SOA product development strategy with that of other ERP vendors.
Provided by: Consona