The Sixth Sigma

Ultriva 7.0 software moves into general availability with its Lean Execution Suite, that includes the following modules:

• Collaborative Supply Portal,
• Electronic Kanban,
• Lean Factory Management,
• Production Sequencing,
• Internal Kanban,
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness and
• Demand Driven Distribution.

…   “Lean Execution Suite includes updated management dashboards, lean inspired advanced work flows, extensive reporting, Material planning and sizing workbenches, and support for all types of replenishment triggers including Kanban, VMI, virtual Kanban, MRP releases and consignment. “   …

Ultriva Lean Execution.

Lydall implement shop floor software to monitor and control its processes.  …

…   “Lydall management says ShopVue marks the beginning of their commitment to harness new technology to drive process automation.

ShopVue will help us with Lean improvements, explains Hume. Now, we can identify, measure, and confirm that an activity is creating efficiency gains. “   …

via Casco Development: Shop Floor Automation.

with software that schedules the optimum response from the field for service.  …

…   “Following a rigorous evaluation process of solutions available in the workforce management market, Leica selected ClickSoftware’s field service optimization solutions as the platform to efficiently manage their field technicians and deliver world class customer service.

We’re continually strengthening our ability to deliver the highest level of service to our clients, implementing many six sigma and Kaizen processes.

But process and business changes only go so far, said Shawn LaRocco, Director of Field Service and Support at Leica Microsystems. “   …

via Click Software: Mobile Workforce Optimization.

Solar manufacturer implements Applied Materials’ manufacturing execution software optimize for photovoltaic production.  …

…   “Hareon Solar Corporation has selected Applied Materials’ SmartFactory manufacturing automation software to improve productivity across Hareon’s solar photovoltaic (PV) cell manufacturing operations in China.

Hareon Solar will deploy Applied’s software at its cell subsidiaries Jiangyin Hareon Solar Technology Co., Ltd. and Altusvia Energy Co., Ltd. Hareon Solar selected the SmartFactory system because of its unique ability to combine wafer and cell production lines into a single virtual factory, enabling the system to increase megawatt output and drive down costs by synchronizing production across different geographical locations in real time. “   …

via Applied Materials: Smart Photovoltaic Factory.

Upcoming webcast will explore local sourcing of lean opportunities.  …

…   “But unlike many companies who mandate change from the top, Mobile Mini’s change agents actively surface Lean ideas at the branch level. Please join Deployment Leader Bill Armstead as he describes how Mobile Mini originates change locally and replicates it globally. “   …

via Powersteering Software: Webcasts.

Ubisense software supports measurement and tracking of rail yard processes, leading to improvement projects.  …

…   “TYM now reports on the dwell times of an engine as it moves through maintenance processes allowing managers to be alerted by email or SMS, if a process is taking too long or the correct steps are not followed. Historical data can also be gathered and used to determine process improvements. This data is commonly utilized in six sigma or lean manufacturing methodologies to eliminate cost. “   …

via Ubisense: Transit Yard Manager.

as viruses can target factory floor software devices and manufacturing execution systems, such as PLCs.  …

…   “Once hijacked, the code can reprogram so-called PLC programmable logic control software to give attached industrial machinery new instructions. “   …

via BBC: Stuxnet worm.

SAP influences the sustainability value chain through customers efficiency programs.  …

…   “Their trick is that it’s less about being green and more about helping their clients (companies, governments, etc.) be green by using their software-driven processes.

Efficiency’s value proposition becomes sustainability. “   …

via Forbes: Reputation Economy.

SAP customer offerings drive sustainability.

Applied Materials makes advancements in photovoltaic technology and automating manufacturing processes for PV.  …

…   “Applying its expertise in automating semiconductor fabs, Applied has developed a comprehensive range of smart control systems that can help cell makers to realize significantly higher productivity than current factory layouts while adding flexibility and enabling higher product quality.

These systems include the SmartFactory manufacturing execution system software, an affordable, out-of-the-box factory automation solution that streamlines the flow of materials throughout a facility.

The software, which can be deployed in less than 60 days, features pre-configured workflows for PV manufacturing and is easily scalable as business needs expand.

Applied also offers E3 technology, which interfaces directly with production equipment, enabling real-time, run-to-run process turning and fault detection to increase process capability and reduce unplanned downtime.

The benefits of advanced factory automation can also be applied to current production facilities, delivering significant increases in productivity and process capability without additional capital expenditure. “   …

via Applied Materials: Applied Factory Automation Systems.

SAP’s Streamwork enables accelerated decisions by teams and provides a historical perspective on the effectiveness of the decision-making process.  The history provides perspective on the people involved in the decision and the key data used to make it: ERP transaction data, business intelligence analytics, etc.   …

…   “StreamWork applies the Lean Manufacturing concept of standardizing work to the process of decision making, which makes a variety of continuous improvement processes possible. “   …

via Forbes: Collaboration Technology.

Rengineered work processes benefit from real-time information provisioned on software dashboards through validated analytics.  …

…   “Most enterprises that exist today have not been organized with standardized, sustainable work processes that collect information and verify its completeness and accuracy in real-time or near real-time. “   …

via Automation World: Real-time Information.

Xerox will discuss its achievements using open-source PLM software from Aras at upcoming webinar.  The company has integrated PLM into its product development processes and enables the DFSS process.

Enterprise Open Source PLM and Global Product Development at XEROX, schedule for June 30, 2010 at 2:00pm Eastern.  Registration.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group sets five year objectives for sustainability that will improve energy consumption per unit of product produced and reduce the materials used in product packaging.  The company just released its corporate social responsibility report and has established a baseline for sustainability and established initiatives in support of its continuous improvement roadmap.   …

…   “Objectives:

Improve energy efficiency in manufacturing operations by 10% per gallon of finished product.

Increase product shipments per gallon of fuel used by 20%.

Replace 60,000 vending machines and coolers with Energy Star-rated equipment that is approximately 30% more energy efficient.

Reduce water usage and wastewater discharge ratio in manufacturing operations by 10% per gallon of finished product.

Recycle 80% of solid waste in manufacturing.

Conserve more than 60 million lbs. of PET plastic through package reengineering and increased use of post-consumer recycled material. “   …

via Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS): Five-Year Goals for Corporate Social Responsibility.

In its CSR report, the company discussed its recent successes, such as software-driven optimization for its transportation logistics, product development and engineering improvements, and shop-floor manufacturing efficiencies.  …

…   “DPS is addressing environmental sustainability by reducing fuel consumption with logistics software that configures shorter, more efficient delivery routes and by installing idle shut-down and electronic speed limiters.

The company has numerous package engineering projects under way that are producing lighter plastic bottles across most sizes and formats and is identifying opportunities to incorporate post-consumer recycled content into PET containers.

And by using de-ionized air rather than water to rinse containers on most production lines, the company is conserving approximately 10,000 gallons per day on each line. “   …

DPS Victorville sustainable plant case study.

DPS Aspers facility waste water treatment case study.

DPS Sustainability Global Reporting.