by Pete Abilla on January 9, 2012
We’re pleased to have Derek Singleton present an article on Manufacturing Software and argue for how traditional ERP software can better support the principles of Lean Manufacturing. ERP and MRP have traditionally been at odds with the principles of lean. So, in his article, he also asks you, the reader, for advice on how else [...]
by Pete Abilla on January 3, 2012
I haven’t written in a while. I apologize for that. You see, I’ve been quite busy. I recently accepted a position with a great company based in Nashville Tennessee. So, on December 19, 2011 we moved from Utah to Tennessee. The company moved us, so that helped a lot, but there was quite a bit [...]
by Pete Abilla on January 1, 2012
An article in the New York Times explains the reason why manufacturing the iPhone in United States will likely never happen 1: Apple executives say that going overseas, at this point, is their only option. One former executive described how the company relied upon a Chinese factory to revamp iPhone manufacturing just weeks before the [...]
by Pete Abilla on December 12, 2011
While waiting for my kids’ swimming lesson to start, the kids and I waited at the only available seat at our local recreational center, which was in the corner of the building next to the men’s bathroom. As we sat down, my 2 year old started playing with something attached to the wall. And, as [...]
by Pete Abilla on December 9, 2011
We’re pleased to have Robert Lockard step in with a guest post and share his thoughts on the What, How, and Where of Inventory Management. This is his installment on Inventory Management Systems. Read more about Robert after his article. In my last post I gave a word to the wise about the why’s of [...]
by Pete Abilla on December 8, 2011
We’re pleased to have James Lawther share his thoughts today on Service Excellence. He does this through a recent family vacation to Spain, where he, his wife, and kids experienced the all-wonderful joys of international travel with kids and, of course, 15 luggage bags. As can be expected, our readers as well as our article [...]
by Pete Abilla on December 7, 2011
Signs and symbols without context has no meaning. Context matters. But, rarely do we consciously think of it; in fact, we almost always assume without really realizing that the subject of which we are talking about is really relative to other parts of the story. We take it for granted. For example, take the picture [...]
by Pete Abilla on December 6, 2011
Toyota’s supply chain is a vast network of suppliers providing auto parts to the Toyota plant. If there’s any defects in the products as provided by its supply chain, then it will likely manifest itself in the finished good: a defective and potentially unsafe Toyota vehicle. The Quality Advisory Panel addresses this concern and makes [...]