{"id":9293,"date":"2018-11-08T12:40:57","date_gmt":"2018-11-08T12:40:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sg.syspro.com\/blog\/why-the-factory-review-part-1\/"},"modified":"2021-03-04T14:50:13","modified_gmt":"2021-03-04T14:50:13","slug":"why-the-factory-review-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sg.syspro.com\/blog\/erp-for-manufacturing\/why-the-factory-review-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the Factory Review – Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

When an organization takes a decision to purchase and implement an MES (Manufacturing Execution System)<\/a><\/strong> like SYSPRO M.O.M. (Manufacturing and Operations Management),<\/a><\/strong> it is because they have realised that they have problems in their manufacturing processes that are affecting the bottom line.<\/p>\n

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An MES is an end to end closed loop feedback system measuring and publishing the (relevant) key performance indicators (KPIs).\u00a0 It would typically include a scheduling system, a data collection system for machine and employee data and an analytics system to present the measured performance.\u00a0 The analytics (KPIs) is where the value add is \u2013 they will indicate which areas in the manufacturing cycle are the problem areas.<\/p>\n

Typically, the first step in the implementation<\/strong> of any manufacturing software into a manufacturing business is the Factory Review.\u00a0 The Factory Review is designed to help understand what is going on in the factory, the management structure and gather the necessary information to configure the software to the organization\u2019s requirements.\u00a0 However, while collecting this information, the Factory Review often uncovers a minefield of issues and misinformation that distorts the picture significantly.\u00a0 On many occasions, it turns out that a number of these issues should have been identified and resolved by the leadership before the Factory Review occurs.<\/p>\n

Preparation for the Factory Review is therefore highly recommended, and probably as important as the Factory Review itself.\u00a0 The organization needs to prepare themselves and ensure that their manufacturing information is correct i.e. they have:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Completed mapping out all of their processes<\/li>\n
  2. Tidied up the current production processes<\/li>\n
  3. Taken control of all of their manufacturing operations that are problematic<\/li>\n
  4. Initiated some type of 5S programme to build onto the effort to ensure that the organization does not revert back to its old practices.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    A common mistake<\/strong> is expecting the software implementation to resolve all of the internal issues, improve poorly designed processes and systems, and to drive the change management.\u00a0 The software cannot do this \u2013 this is standard work for leaders.\u00a0 The consultants involved in an implementation are software consultants, and are trained to implement software into an existing operation as it stands.\u00a0 They are not trained to redesign poorly designed operational practices and factories.\u00a0 This cannot be emphasized enough.<\/p>\n

    In many cases, the first step in preparing for the Factory Review the organization requires Industrial Engineers and Business Consultants to sort out the problems internally, and organize the manufacturing processes.<\/p>\n

    There are a number of areas to focus efforts here \u2013<\/p>\n