subject: Lean Supply Chain Profiles Ultriva by Manufacturing Journalist TR Cutler [print this page] Author: Thomas Cutler Author: Thomas Cutler
Ultrivas Lean Execution Suite consists of modules like Customer Kanban, Supplier Kanban, Internal Kanban, SBR, Lean Production and OEE, which allow manufacturing companies to systemize, sustain, and scale lean disciplines across the organization. Ultriva's flagship product, Collaborative Electronic Kanban, eliminates stock-outs while reducing inventory levels up to 75%. Ultriva modules are in use in more than 130 plants worldwide, incorporating more than 5,000 suppliers, transacting over 1.5 billion dollars of inventory at industry leaders such as AGCO, CNH, Emerson, IR-Trane, McKesson, Rexnord, and ThermoFisher. In the current issue of AccountingSoftware411.com, manufacturing journalist Thomas R. Cutler, looks at the Demand Driven Supply Chain. In the feature Cutler interviewed Narayan Laksham, CEO of Ultriva, the electronic kanban technology leader, (www.ultriva.com). According to Laksham, Inventory reduction and number of turns are key benchmarks in determining whether a solution is truly an on-demand SaaS electronic pull-based supply chain solution. Only with real-time material flow status, intelligent demand load leveling, and electronic kanban, can the return-on-investment be realized. Indeed, those actively engaged in lean initiatives seek to reduce inventory levels, automate process controls, and enable supply chain integration both internally and through suppliers globally. Sadly many firms still maintain excessive inventories. CFOs recognize that using extensive networks of distribution centers and warehouses to ensure prompt and reliable deliveries does not guarantee an error-free environment. Lean methodologies represent problem-solving tools and must allow enterprise-wide integration with the firms core strategy. Laksham insists that, Purchasing organizations wrongly assume that just-in-case inventories are less costly than the cost of downtime or lost production. Preparing for an emergency or downtime situation usually creates inventories of items never used. Lean procurement activities must be directly related to production; otherwise they are waste. Many organizations have lean strategic sourcing initiatives implemented, yet find nearly half the purchases are spot buys or unplanned. Too often this type of inefficient thinking outweighs the possible advantages of warehouse control systems. Ultriva www.ultriva.com Cindy McGowan pr@ultriva.com 408.248.9803About the Author:
Professional Marketing Firm for the Manufacturing Community and Manufacturing Journalist to most manufacturing magazines
