Manufacturing Shop Floor Job Management Via ERP & Touch Screen Data Collection

Lean thinking in manufacturing has always been a practical means to that most desirable end: A better quality product produced in less time at lower cost. For the past two decades, manufacturers have constantly striven for tight integration of shop floor activities, hopefully resulting in a streamlined environment capable of achieving this Lean sense of “perfection”.In more basic terms, at its core Lean thinking is informed by the goal of shop waste minimization through the elimination of those activities that do not add value to the product. Simultaneously, the use of scarcer resources is maximized, such as capital investment and personnel. However, while capital investment in tooling and infrastructure (i.e., building, land, etc.) is encumbered by a sense of being “fixed” with regards to improvements in efficiency, the human side of the manufacturing process (i.e., personnel) has much greater flexibility in terms of being able to make immediate adjustments in process toward a better way of doing things.As a production resource, employees (both production and management) have the capacity for revealing and solving problems at the source, as well as making instant alterations toward “a more perfect” manufacturing process. However, these decisions are–must be–driven by relevant, reliable, real-time shop data entry. Constant process analysis as a Lean principle must involve empowered employees who participate in the collection and dissemination of real-time data; this empowerment always results in improving efficiencies in the shop floor system.Built as a single point, multi-purpose shop floor/work order management tool, the paperless Touch Screen Data Collection system (TSDC) is designed to be a central collection point and rapid analyzer for important shop floor-generated data. In a Lean production environment, where the need for data is constant, it is paramount that a single integrated system of total shop floor activity tracking controls exists, including costing, purchasing, scheduling, materials management, tracking, inventory control, and labor management (both direct labor and indirect labor).TSDC provides real-time shop floor control in all aspects of the system, creating the maximization of efficiencies and reduction of waste that are the values at the heart of Lean production. However, any good enterprise resource planning (ERP) and manufacturing tool must depend upon the human variable – shop floor personnel – to provide the input of data through the system. Without accurate and consistent attention to data entry, error margins increase to the detriment of reliability. This is why it is important that employees feel not only empowered and vested in the ERP system, but that they are comfortable enough with the technology to include the data entry process as part of their production routine. Without a personnel commitment to total integration of the ERP data collection and the inputting of data into the job flow, analysts are faced with incomplete, if not error-filled, data. This mandate of shop floor data entry is especially important in job shops, make-to-order, make-to-stock, and mixed mode manufacturers where budgets prohibit the addition of a dedicated IT person or staff.To this end, ERP shop floor data entry and collection systems are tied to a “timeclock” Graphical User Interface (GUI) concept. Often quite user friendly, GUI input is made through any number of movements-traditional keystroke, bar/card scanning, and/or touch-screen technology. The user is presented with a visual online systems menu in an easy to read, “clean screen” format. From this timekeeping screen, the employee can identify him/herself (relative to security clearance, if necessary), clock in and clock out, accept jobs listed in order of priority, review work order details, log onto and off of jobs, and all other functions associated with operation and time management.For example, work center jobs are prioritized on the screen by date of work order submission in consideration of the availability of raw materials, labor, supplies, etc., needed to complete the job on time. An employee may review the Work Order Detail of any job to determine if that job is, in fact, ready to begin production, or should wait pending arrival of requisite materials or other parts. In many systems, if necessary, the employee can even generate a purchase order for outside vendor processing directly from the GUI. This PO is then stored in the TSDC system as information for all shop floor employees and all ERP users to see regarding that specific job.In such a scenario, the TSDC provides real-time data analysis to both management and staff for precise parts inventory control, streamlining purchasing, and even employee performance measurement that result in better direct labor margins.As a function of shop floor time and task management, the TSDC collects all data related to a job (past, present, or future), and provides a focal point where information instantly converges into functional data for payroll, scheduling (forward/backward), dispatch list, and job costing-all of which help achieve strategic sales and profit objectives. For example, in the past, understanding the complex relationships between cost, sales, and profits was at best difficult, at worst haphazard. However, the TSDC allows management to easily compute job costing based upon bill-of-material or single part cost summaries. These summaries are compiled from employee production data entered directly on the shop floor via the GUI. Material, labor, overhead and so forth are functions in the equation that analyzes sales and their associated margins.Perhaps the most critical function of the TSDC is found in its ability to take shop floor data and segregate results in terms of Estimated versus Actual cost. It is here, perhaps, in understanding estimate versus actual results for a bill-of-material or a single part, where the greatest difference is found between profit and loss in a pull production of the Lean system. For in a Lean environment, the manufacturer cares greatly about errors; errors labor performance (including scrap), errors in estimating, errors in inventory management, and so forth.Through information sharing via shop floor data entry, the TSDC allows management to easily analyze the information and identify areas of waste in the system. Thus, in adherence to Lean principals, the company continuously improves through the reduction of costs, improved quality and increased productivity.Since the TSDC becomes the conduit of operational data between shop floor personnel/work centers, and performance data between the shop floor and management, it takes the complete approach to the data collection and analysis that is vital in today’s information-dependent global business world.

Beginners Golf – Learn Golf Etiquette That Every Golf Player Must Know

Golf Etiquette is Very Important!Experienced golf players follow a set of unwritten rules while on the course. These rules are typically referred to as golf etiquette. When beginners golf it is important for them to learn proper golf etiquette from the more seasoned its players in their group. As a beginners golf game improves they must begin to incorporate these rules into their usual routine on the golf course. Most country clubs don’t demand that player’s golf with courtesy, but it is expected. Following the commonly accepted rules of golf etiquette will create a congenial atmosphere in which the game of golf can be fully enjoyed by all.Beginners Golf – Maintain a Good Pace in Your Golf GameIf you have ever been stuck behind a slow moving group ahead of you on the golf course then you know how frustrating it can be. Not only does a slow group eat up a lot of time, but they can also cost other golfers strokes by throwing off the natural rhythm of their game. When beginners golf they need to keep in mind the fact that it will take them a longer time to reach the green than it will a more experienced player.If you find that your group is holding up another it is a common its courtesy to allow the other group to play through. You can also speed up your golf game by not spending an excessive amount of time looking for a lost golf ball. Another great time saver is simple preparation. Instead of admiring the clouds while your companions are taking their shots, spend that time planning your own upcoming shot.Beginners Golf – Golf Etiquette Also Involves SafetySafety is an important consideration in any sport and golf is no different. The use of golf carts is an area of safety where many golfers would receive a failing grade. Make sure to read all of the rules posted in the clubhouse, cart, and on the course. Keep golf carts in designated areas only!Beginner golfers must also be on alert when preparing to make a swing. Always look around before taking a swing; this will go a long way in promoting the safety of the other golf players in your group. You should keep your eye on the ball after making a shot and call out a warning if others are in danger of being struck.Beginners Golf – Good Golf Etiquette Requires the Consideration of Other Golfers Your actions toward other golfers are perhaps the most important part of golf etiquette. Golfers must focus when making a shot and that requires quiet. When beginners golf they must remember not to speak or make unexpected noises while others prepare to take their shots. There are a few specific rules for conduct on the green as well. When beginners golf if is very important that they are conscious of where their shadow falls on the green. All shadows must be kept well away from the putting line.

Join a Sailing Club

Make Friends and Save Money!Although a sailing club is a great way to save money while doing what you love, you still want to find a program that gives you your money’s worth.Here is an example of membership benefits from one of San Francisco’s sailing programs:* Discounted Charters Rates (non-members add 50%!)
* 1/2 Price Charter Week twice annually
* Can sponsor one family or friend membership at $295
* 25% Discount on Sailing Instruction
* 10% Discount on Charters & Activities.
* Half Day Rates for Boats on Weekdays
* Discounts on Caribbean Sailing Vacations
* Free company sailing T-Shirts or Hats
* Club Members may Charter Boats until 5:00 a.m. the Following Day at No Extra Cost
* Free Night Boarding on two-day chartersAs you can see, the membership can pay for itself even if you only go out a few times a month. Even if you only go out a couple times a month, you’ll already be saving money. But again, it will be worth your time to research the different types of memberships so you can be sure to find the best fit for you.If you’re interested in becoming certified, you will want a program that will give you the best discounts on certification and instruction. These can be expensive, but they’re worth the expense if you’re serious about getting certified.If you’ve been sailing a while, you’ll want to look for a membership that offers the best discounts on chartering, whether you’re going out for the day or bare boating. These tend to be less expensive than the beginners’ memberships since they don’t offer training discounts, so if you’re certified and looking for a cost-effective sailing option, you will want to consider a club membership.Beyond the mere financial incentives, the real reward of joining a sailing club is sharing a passion with others who also love sailing. You can join a crew for some serious sailing or just swap stories and share your love of sailing.

Making A Responsible Investment Property Checklist

Being successful in property investment is based on learning the ropes and properly applying and implementing strategies based on skills learned. Having a responsible investment property checklist is an important lesson toward this end.We could learn from different sources available to us, such as reading property investment magazines, articles, books, and other reading material in order to know more about property investment as it relates to the market. This keeps us abreast on the latest in property market trends. Whether we are inclined to make an investment or not, research and education are of the utmost importance in keeping us on track in the field of property investment.Evaluating an investment property checklist makes for a responsive approach to purchasing property. It is a product of exhaustive research and analysis of the different factors affecting properties over a period of time. A checklist developed a decade ago would look entirely different from a checklist created today.The experience gathered from buying and selling property over time has developed strategies into realizing different property configurations which can be considered for long term usage, generating great income potential.With an investment property checklist, we are able to narrow down choices in property options to the basic requirements. The wide range of investment possibilities need not be a matter of concern. The different investment would be filtered with the many criteria set-up in the property checklist.This makes for an easier and better approach to qualifying different things for consideration. If the boxes to be filled out check positively then we can consider the property. It is just a matter of narrowing down the different properties with the different criteria set forth.When you are starting in property acquisition, you would have many apprehensions in investment moves. There are many issues raised over which property to choose and qualify, such as the location of investment, the type of property to be selected, and the propriety of such choices. There would even be questions on the after thought of the reasons of the choices.Like in any other journey, we also need to be properly informed on the journey of property investment. Decisions are made based on the propriety of the issues affecting the investment. Based on the right investment strategy made by Andrew Gardner, purchase of property is made. Here is an example of an investment property checklist which could effectively make you qualify the right property based on your requirements.The property requirement calls for at least three adequately sized bedrooms complimented with at least two bathrooms. The property should be located away from the main road, with provisions of a locked garage for two cars, with good drainage features, and the property should be new or a few years old to qualify for maximum depreciation discounts and have little maintenance requirements. The property should have a high fair market value and have a good environment to increase its value.