Tools

You don't drive a nail with a screwdriver. Why are you still using Excel as a database? The right tool for the job ensures success.
Value Stream Mapping (VSM)

Value Stream Mapping combines material processing steps with information flow and other related data in a workplace efficiency tool. Organizations that wish to plan or implement Lean manufacturing often start with Value Stream Mapping

The "value stream" focuses on how products or services are changed and value is added to achieve a product or service that the market will support. Value Stream Maps can highlight where features and functionality can be added to a product without unnecessary materials cost or labor (muda).

Value Stream Maps are typically created during a Kaizen event and consist of two version. First a Current State Map is created that respresents the value stream as it exists today. This is very helpful and often quite eye opening for the participants invloved. Once the current state has been mapped, a Future State Map is created to show how the Value Stream should work after the changes have been implemented. A VSM Draft Plan can be created to communicate the resources required to implement the future state.

5S (part of Lean)

By far the most recognizable process in the Lean toolkit is 5S. The 5S methodology was first implement by Toyota as a way to make just in time (JIT) manufacturing possible.

The 5S's are:

• Seiri (Sort)
• Seiton (Set in Order)
• Seiso (Shine)
• Seiketsu (Standardize)
• Shitsuke (Sustain)

The 5S methodology is the toolset that businesses used to combat the 3 enemies of Lean;   Muda, Mura and Muri.   Although people mostly think of Lean in terms of manufacturing, Lean can be applied to service sector businesses as well as health care.

Custom applications

Processes that are manually dependant are the most likely to produce waste from human error. Often what a business needs is a simple, scalable application that can elimate tedious manual processing of data. These applications can remove errors from almost every process in the organization if created with the direct input of the people doing the work. By working with management and the front-line worker, Lean Solutions can provide custom applicatons solutions for a wide array of business issues. Contact us for more information and pricing.

Microsoft Office™ desktop applications

In the world of desktop and laptop computers in businesses today, 83% run on Microsoft Office. Regardless of which verson of MS Office your business uses you have employees that lack the skills to use it effectively. Training your office employees in the basics of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Power Point, Microsoft Access and other office applications including basic internet security training will pay for itself in the reduction of (waste) muda. Lean Solutions will help you design a training program that works within your budget to acheive your managment priorities.

RFID / Barcodes

Do you know what the difference is between RFID and barcodes besides cost?   Do you care?   You shouldn't.   They are different technologies but when it comes to business applications, at the end of the day, they both do the same thing. They read a tag that holds a key to data and they go back to your database and retrieve the data that the key represents. That's it in a nutshell.

On the whole RFID can do everything barcodes can and a LOT more but they will cost you more to implement and to operate. If you have processes that could benefit from tracking and you're not sure you need RFID then you probably don't need it. If you aren't taking your physical inventory using barcoding you are definately suffering from one of several of the 7 wastes of muda.

RFID can however; bring some amazing results in the right application. If tracking product in the field for several years is something you dream of, RFID might be the right fit for that application. Likewise if your raw materials are in large quantities and it's important for you to know their whereabouts at all times again, RFID might be your answer.

Lean Solutions is here to help your management team make the right decision when it comes to these technologies.

Custom Websites

Your companies website is your companies personal communication portal to your customers, vendors, employees and investors. If you don't have one it's time to get one and Lean Solutions can help. We'll handle as much or as little of the process as you'd like. We can teach you to care and feed for it, or we can do it for you, or a little of both. There's a lot of decisions to make regarding how to host it, how you secure it, credit card transactions and a long list of other details. If you don't want to become a web expert, we're here to help.

Dashboards

A dashboard is a place, usually a web page, that shows the key metrics for your business. These often have a custom design and different views depending on the viewing audience. Dashboards can help you communicate important KPIs directly to your work force and if needed can be updated on very short intervals. Dashboards can be equally effective for order entry, customer service, IT, manufacturing, shipping or supply chain applications. If you're not measuring your performance you have your work cut out but you also have a huge opportunity. Once you've measured it, you have to share it with your workforce in order for it to make a difference in your operations. Dashboards also give your business a professional feel to all of your stakeholders and customers.