BIRDSFeathered Friends

Metalforming Magazine Profiles Datacraft Solutions’ Demand Driven Supply Chain Network

Manufacturing journalist Thomas R. Cutler profiled Demand Driven Supply Chain Networks in the current issue of MetalForming Magazine.

According to Jeffrey Ball, Value Engineering and Information Services Manager with Luvata, “This presented a unique challenge for both plants. The two plants had separate planning, inventory, and scheduling systems and in order to ensure that the weld lines at Franklin never ran out of raw material, there was always a large amount of inventory “in the pipeline”. In order to prevent stock outs of a specific part number, a great deal of time was required by both the Buffalo and Franklin Scheduling Teams to avert disaster. It seemed as though, whichever parts were made, they were not the parts that were needed today at Franklin. Expediting of individual part numbers was the norm.”

What Luvata needed was a system that could integrate with both the Buffalo and Franklin Shop Floor Control Systems and provide a visual, easy to understand, and real time representation of the Total Supply Chain.

The Buffalo and Franklin Scheduling Groups went ahead and formed a team to address the need to reduce the amount of working capital tied up in the supply chain and improve delivery reliability. Jeffrey Ball noted, “There was plenty of candid conversation within the team that moved the two plants from a WIN/LOSE mentality, to group focused on developing a WIN/WIN result!”

During a visit to the Franklin plant, it was revealed that Franklin was using a new tool called digital kanban (also known as eKanban) from called Datacraft Solutions, a leading demand driven supply chain technology firm based in Durham, North Carolina. The Luvata team quickly decided that based upon the initial success of the digital kanban system at Franklin, that the Buffalo facility should take advantage of Franklin’s experience with digital kanban. In addition, both plants would now have a common Supply Chain Management Software that could be implemented easily, quickly, and affordably in Buffalo.

Over the next month, the Buffalo/Franklin Team worked closely with the Datacraft Solutions experts, to define the project costs, benefits and time schedule. The primary of objectives of reduced working capital (25% inventory reduction), improved delivery reliability (avoid stock outs), easy to use scheduling modules, and quick implementation time appear to be well within our budget and timeframes. Jeffrey Ball was pleased to report, “The Team is also highly confident that the large amount of time currently devoted to expediting material will be virtually eliminated from their daily routines.”

Datacraft Solutions specializes in providing their clients with the tools they need to rapidly replace outdated manual systems with technology that speeds process flow and improves accuracy. Datacraft’s premier product, Signum has been developed around the Kanban concept of replenishment, and provides an invaluable tool for manufacturing companies to monitor process flow, lower administrative transaction costs, and improve decision-making ability.

About the Author

Datacraft Solutions
www.datacraftsolutions.com
Steve Rao
srao@datacraftsolutions.com
800-819-5326

Social Distortion – Ball And Chain

20pcs 28” Gun Metal 2.4mm Bead Ball Chain Necklace Lead Free for Dog Tag $10.55

20pcs 28” Stainless Steel 2.4mm Bead Ball Chain Necklace Lead Free for Dog Tag $13.88

20pcs 28‘’ Aqua 2.4mm Bead Ball Chain Necklace for Bottle Caps Lead Free $10.55

Dr.Slump Arale Chan Ball Chain Holder Japan $9.99

20pcs 28” Blue 2.4mm Bead Ball Chain Necklace for Bottle Caps Lead Free $10.55

20pcs 28” Purple 2.4mm Bead Ball Chain Necklace for Bottle Caps Lead Free $10.55

Sterling Silver Round Bead Necklace 30″ Dog Tag Ball Chain Solid 925 Italy 1mm $11.99

Sterling Silver Round Bead Necklace 24″ Dog Tag Ball Chain Solid 925 Italy 1mm $9.99

Sterling Silver Round Bead Necklace 20″ Dog Tag Ball Chain Solid 925 Italy 1mm $8.49

Sterling Silver Round Bead Necklace 18″ Dog Tag Ball Chain Solid 925 Italy 1mm $7.49

Sterling Silver Round Bead Necklace 16″ Dog Tag Ball Chain Solid 925 Italy 1mm $6.49

Sterling Silver Round Bead Necklace 14″ Dog Tag Ball Chain Solid 925 Italy 1mm $5.99

3mm Ball Chain 24″ Sterling Silver Necklace 925 Italian $75.99

MONEY BACK Gurantee 316L Surgical Stainless Steel 2MM Ball Beads Bars Chain $5.99

MONEY BACK Gurantee 316L Surgical Stainless Steel 2MM Ball Beads Bars Chain $5.99

MONEY BACK Gurantee 316L Surgical Stainless Steel 2MM Ball Beads Bars Chain $5.99

MONEY BACK Gurantee 316L Surgical Stainless Steel 2MM Ball Beads Bars Chain $6.99

MONEY BACK Gurantee 316L Surgical Stainless Steel 2MM Ball Beads Bars Chain $6.99

MONEY BACK Gurantee 316L Surgical Stainless Steel 2MM Ball Beads Bars Chain $7.99

MONEY BACK Gurantee 316L Surgical Stainless Steel 2MM Ball Beads Bars Chain $7.99

MONEY BACK Gurantee 316L Surgical Stainless Steel 2MM Ball Beads Bars Chain $8.99

MONEY BACK Gurantee 316L Surgical Stainless Steel 2MM Ball Beads Bars Chain $9.99

MONEY BACK Gurantee 316L Surgical Stainless Steel 2MM Ball Beads Bars Chain $10.99

MONEY BACK Gurantee 316L Surgical Stainless Steel 2MM Ball Beads Bars Chain $11.99

MONEY BACK Gurantee 316L Surgical Stainless Steel 2MM Ball Beads Bars Chain $12.99

MONEY BACK Gurantee 316L Surgical Stainless Steel 2MM Ball Beads Bars Chain $13.99

MONEY BACK Gurantee 316L Surgical Stainless Steel 2MM Ball Beads Bars Chain $14.99

MONEY BACK Gurantee 316L Surgical Stainless Steel 2MM Ball Beads Bars Chain $3.99

20pcs 28” Green 2.4mm Bead Ball Chain Necklace for Bottle Caps Lead Free $10.55

24.2″inch 61.5 cm Stainless Steel 3.0 mm Bling Bling Ball Chain Necklace $0.99

20pcs 28” Pink 2.4mm Bead Ball Chain Necklace for Bottle Caps Lead Free $10.55

20pcs 28” Yellow 2.4mm Bead Ball Chain Necklace for Bottle Caps Lead Free $10.55

24.2″inch 61.5 cm Stainless Steel 3.0 mm Bling Bling Ball Chain Necklace $0.99

20pcs 28” Golden 2.4mm Bead Ball Chain Necklace for Bottle Caps Lead Free $10.55

20pcs 28” Black 2.4mm Bead Ball Chain Necklace for Bottle Caps Lead Free $10.55

Progressive Stainless Steel Mesh Tea Ball $0.01 This stainless steel mesh tea and herb infuser is 2 inches in diameter….

Mrs. Anderson’s Baking Ceramic Pie Weights $3.68 Pie weights are used to prevent pie shells from blistering and shrinking while they bake. Mrs. Anderson’s pie weights are ceramic, they conduct heat evenly and are also easy to clean after baking! For added convenience, the packaging becomes a storage container for the weights. For a great pie shell, these are a great value….

3D Mesh Stainless Steel Tea Infuser $1.76 Savor tea in style with this stainless steel mesh wonder tea ball infuser. Suitable for all sizes of teapots, and perfect for shrimp boils too, brewing hot cider, etc.! The infuser features a short chain and hook to hang on the side. Simply place a small amount of your favorite tea into the stainless steel infuser, snap close and submerge to brew your favorite infusion. A perfect gift for your fav…

Live At The Carousel Ballroom 1968 $6.97 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….

Janis Joplin – Greatest Hits $4.47 Expanded to 12 tracks + new liner notes….

Poker 00238X13 9 Ball 11/2Miniature Pool Ball Key Chain $19.86 9 Ball 11/2 Miniature Pool Ball Key Chain. Actual miniature pool ball with chain and key ring. Huge selection to choose from.

Rasta 5933 Ball and Chain Wristlet $27 Ball and Chain Wristlet. Satisfaction ensured. High quality components. Huge selection to choose from. Ready to ship at your convenience.

Charades Costumes 195142 Ball and Chain With Shackle $21.85 Did you lose your lucky ball and chain. Get back in the shackle with this classic ball and chain. Perfect for prisoner or couples costumes. Includes one plastic ball and chain prop with leg shackle on one end.

Vintage Collection 18 Necklace Ball Chain: Black 1.5mm $2.1 This package contains (1) 18″ 1.5mm ball chain.

Vintage Collection 18 Necklace Ball Chain: Chrome 1.5mm $2.1 This package contains (1) 18″ 1.5mm ball chain.

X Games Usb Dog Tags Ball Chain Black-Retractable $21.99 X GAMES USB DOG TAGS BALL CHAIN BLACK-RETRACTABLE

CZ EAR1625 Briolette Pink And Aquamarine Ball Sterling Silver Chain Earrings $55.38 Briolette Pink And Aquamarine Ball Sterling Silver Chain Earrings

FrancoAmerican Novelty Co 10817 Ball and Chain $18.66 A great accessory for any Pirate or Convict costumes This is a light weight plastic Ball that is 4.5 in diameter with an attached chain. OneSize fits most adults. Includes one ball and chain. Be sure to check out all of our Convict and pirate costumes and accessories to find the perfect look for you

Westinghouse Lighting 77217 Ball Pull Chain $5.73 Westinghouse Lighting 77217 Ball Pull Chain Westinghouse Lighting 77217 Ball Pull Chain Turn your fan into a work of art with a decorative pull chain Add a little color, a hint of elegance, or a beautiful hand painted finish to compliment your individual style Brushed Pewter pull 12″ beaded chain Carded 77216: Old Chicago finish 77217: Brushed Nickel finish * Image shown may vary by color, finish, or material

Franco American Novelty 72010 Ball And Chain Black $17.76 Franco American Novelty was established in 1910. We know the Halloween business and what is important to our customers. From Costumes to wigs masks and accessories quality is the key experience the difference. Black ball with chain.

Westinghouse Lighting 70661 Light Fixture Pull Chain With Wooden Ball, Walnut $4.99 Westinghouse Lighting 70661 Light Fixture Pull Chain With Wooden Ball, Walnut Westinghouse Lighting 70661 Light Fixture Pull Chain With Wooden Ball, Walnut Walnut ball 12″ pull chain Carded * Image shown may vary by color, finish, or material

Westinghouse Lighting 77084 Light Fixture Pull Chain With Acrylic Ball Knob $6.22 Westinghouse Lighting 77084 Light Fixture Pull Chain With Acrylic Ball Knob Westinghouse Lighting 77084 Light Fixture Pull Chain With Acrylic Ball Knob Acrylic ball Clear 12″ brass chain Carded * Image shown may vary by color, finish, or material

[backlinksmage]