By Jenny Baynes, Operations Coordinator for Winning Solutions, Inc.

Lean Manufacturing

For decades, companies like Toyota, Intel, John Deere, and Nike have incorporated the lean manufacturing methodology into their manufacturing operations and have reaped the rewards of reduced lead times, lower operating costs, higher profits, improved product quality, and deeply satisfied customers. By prioritizing maximum productivity while simultaneously minimizing waste throughout the entire manufacturing life cycle, the effective application of the lean ideology is based on the cycle of continuous improvement. Based on five core principles, lean manufacturing streamlines production and enables businesses to do more with less. While we could discuss the lean methodology endlessly, let’s focus on the two core principles of establishing an efficient production flow and continuously perfecting a production line by means of software.

How Custom Software Improves Lean Manufacturing

In today’s technology-driven environment, successful lean operations understand that software is a key component to developing a highly efficient flow, the third principle of lean manufacturing. The right software can effectively move a product or service from creation to distribution, without interruption or waste. While most manufacturing operations utilize off-the-shelf software solutions, these solutions often limit the ability of the business to make continuous software improvements over time, thereby limiting continuous improvements within the operation as a whole. So, what’s to be done?

Custom software solutions fully support highly efficient operations, with the added bonus that incremental software improvements can be made continuously as businesses aim for perfection, the fifth core principle of lean manufacturing. Software that is tailored to the exact manufacturing needs of the business, avoids waste of time and resources that are often seen in industries that create workarounds for less-than-ideal technology solutions.

Custom software’s role in lean manufacturing has been identified by many leading manufacturers. In fact, Tesla founder Elon Musk proclaimed that one of the company’s hidden strengths is that Tesla runs exclusively on custom computer application software – including custom supply chain and logistics software. But why should custom software be a hidden strength? Shouldn’t all manufacturing companies, large and small, have the ability to improve their lean manufacturing by means of custom software? – YES!

WSI’s Approach to Lean Manufacturing

Winning Solutions, Inc. (WSI) prides itself on being an expert at workflow automation by means of technology to support lean manufacturing. By collaborating with a company at all levels and embracing a culture of continuous improvement, we can identify custom software solutions that can maneuver operations closer to perfection than ever before.

WSI’s diverse team of technology professionals have extensive experience in designing and developing software that is tailored to manufacturing companies of all sizes. While all manufacturing companies can improve their lean production by means of custom software, smaller companies often notice the most dramatic results as custom software creates the ability to scale when it’s time to jump into action. WSI has created tools for production scheduling, barcode scanning, automated production reporting, auditing, and much more highly complex manufacturing systems. While other off-the-shelf technologies typically antiquate over time, custom software, like lean manufacturing, continuously improves over time as enhancements are made. Yes, custom software is a vital component of manufacturing companies that are committed to lean production.

For production operations that may be too far down the off-the-shelf software path to change direction, custom technology solutions can still translate into improved lean manufacturing. WSI can design and implement custom software workarounds. This steppingstone on the path of continuous improvement can be exactly what is needed to improve the efficiency of the manufacturing processes and begin the process of getting out of the off-the-shelf software trap.

Are you ready to get your lean manufacturing process closer to perfection? – Visit our website at WinningSolutionsInc.com to schedule a free consultation today!