Corey Ladas’ groundbreaking paper “ScrumBan” has captured the imagination of the software development world. Scrum and agile methodologies have helped software development teams organize and become more efficient. Lean methods like kanban can extend these benefits. Kanban also provides a powerful mechanism to identify process improvement opportunities. This book covers some of the metrics and day-to-day management techniques that make continuous improvement an achievable outcome (more…)

Review

Nobody tells it as well as the Japanese who were on the shop floor when it was developed.In light of Toyotas success, the concepts presented in this book should be of interest to anyone interested in improving their production methods.Review

Toyota’s world-renowned success proves that with kanban, the Just-In-Time production system (JIT) makes most other manufacturing practices obsolete. This simple but powerful classic is based on seminars given by (more…)

Dear Visitor! Welcome, Willkommen bei Kanban-Online!

The portal Kanban-Online shall provide a flexible online platform which allows to present know-how, experience, events, questions & answers, links & literature and more… The platform will provide the possibility for experts, users and/or authors to actively support as content provider, and that’s key for the success of this portal as it will increase quality and relevance for the Kanban & Lean production community! The portal language is a mix of german and english due to the nature of the authors and the offered local services & tipps.

The forum will be moderated by dedicated experts and everybody can post question and answers and “talk” about his/her experience in the domain. The topics of the portal shall be all about Kanban, Lean Production and related fields. Suggestions for articles, categories, case studies and events are very much welcome and will be posted after a review done by the Kanban-Online Team.

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Klaus Wolfer

Review

“An outstanding battle manual to start implementing kanban.” — Ron Fardell, Director, Lean Manufacturing, GDX Automotive, June 2004 “Kanban for the Shopfloor provides the reader with the framework for implementing kanban in any operation. It provides a nomenclature for various terms of kanbans, and illustrates how kanban is an element of continuous improvement that leads to the ideal of one-piece flow.” Tim Rayburn, Director, Continuous Improvement, ESG Chiller Product (more…)

Review

“Exceptionally comprehensive and detailed … The approach in this book is unique in that it does not force the practitioner to change their environment, but it provides detailed action plans for implementation in multiple environments.” Henry M. Lee, Manager, Operations, Gulf States Toyota, August 2006 “This is the first kanban book I have read which clearly understands that there is a significant difference between environments. This book is highly innovative, insightf (more…)

What is the IKS PDA Module?
The PDA Module is part of the IKS (Integrated Kanban System) package. The application offers the possibility to get all required Kanban information displayed directly on the screen of a Mobile Terminal (PDA). The PDA Module enables all employees in the area of production and logistics (but also the management) to use a simple and very flexible tool to get all required information and to achieve a highest flexibility.

Benefits

• Displaying of all important Kanban information directly at the shop-floor
• Perfect mobility and flexibility via using WLAN technology
• Scanning of Kanbans and getting of all required information with only one hardware device
• Easy and fast adjustment based on customer requirements

Visit Manufactus Website and read more …

By: David Drickhamer
Source: www.supplyworks.com

Electronic kanban systems automate the pull-based replenishment methodology without forsaking lean manufacturing’s commitment to simplicity.
For many U.S. factories that attempt to implement lean manufacturing cutting costs is not an option. They face life threatening price competition from overseas suppliers and must do something dramatic if they have any hope of remaining competitive. Lean’s waste-reduction techniques and process-improvement focus can lower inventory levels, reduce working capital, and speed order fulfillment, giving these manufacturers a fighting chance.
But making the cultural transformation from a batch-oriented production operation that builds to a forecast, to one triggered by customer demand is not for the faint of heart. Anything that makes it easier, therefore, should be embraced. That’s the fundamental argument of proponents of electronic kanban (e-kanban) systems.
“Some lean gurus will tell you that you don’t need technology, and they’re anti-technology,” says Ralph Rio, director of research for lean manufacturing at ARC Advisory Group (Dedham, Mass.), a research and consulting firm. He bluntly refutes that viewpoint, “They are stuck in 1978 when Taiichi Ohno wrote his book on the Toyota Production System.”

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