Chemicals Solutions, Manufacturing Visibility

Every person in a company needs information in order to perform their job. Making this a reality involves two, not-so-simple challenges. The first challenge is determining which people need what information. The second challenge is devising a way to deliver that information in a useable form. Manufacturing Visibility addresses both of these challenges. It's objective is to provide all employees with the information they need to understand how their actions influence the business, so that they can make the right decisions.

Manufacturing Visibility works by using information technology to collect data from many sources, including information collected on the shop floor, as well as information generated by corporate-wide ERP and supply chain systems. The data is collected and analyzed, then put into context to become knowledge. That knowledge is reported and displayed, so that it can be used by each employee to support the decision-making process. Everyone who needs information has access to it in a timely manner and a user-friendly format. Because the data is put into context and analyzed in ways that give people information on performance, trends, and relationships, companies have the ability to chart progress toward goals by showing the results of improvement initiatives, and individuals have the ability to work collaboratively with others.

There are four major ways that Manufacturing Visibility brings value to a company:

• Reducing operating costs
• Providing valuable new or enhanced capabilities
• Providing or supporting regulatory compliance
• Promoting alignment of operations with business goals and metrics

In many cases Manufacturing Visibility brings value in more than one way at the same time, for example, when costs are reduced through improved performance. However, improvement in just one of these areas can be tremendously valuable. Achieving greater visibility into every aspect of production is a critical step toward improving manufacturing processes. Companies can reduce machine time, and labor and material costs, but to do this, they need the right information. The same information can help them become more competitive through supporting valuable new and enhanced capabilities, and it can support regulatory compliance and the alignment of employee behavior with corporate objectives. With the right IT systems, we help our clients use Manufacturing Visibility to take great strides forward.