Life Sciences Consulting to Create a Lean Culture in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing

Life sciences consulting is beginning to catch on in the technologically complex and highly regulated area of biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The reason is that many previous attempts at implementing lean manufacturing techniques in this industry have generally been “superficial” and have, consequently, produced “only limited benefits.” With qualified consultants, however, the story can have a different ending.

In an October 2009 article, “Harvesting the Benefits of LEAN in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing” (BioPharm International 22.10), Thibaud S. Stoll and Jean-Francois Guilland explain: “LEAN has . . . been implemented in many manufacturing industries, where it has triggered major transformations. However, LEAN has often brought only limited benefits. The first reason is that LEAN often has been implemented in a superficial manner, with a focus on ‘just-in-time’ objectives only, without being understood as an entire system that must permeate an organization’s culture.” And there’s the key: an organization-wide buy-in and subsequent cultural shift.

Pharmaceutical consultants have the job, then, of fostering a “process-oriented organization . . . to ensure optimal support of LEAN and the development of a culture of continuous improvement.” Stoll and Guilland propose a unique way for consultants to go about this during the preliminary assessment and analysis stages of a Lean implementation.

They propose, after the quantitative objectives have been set, the use of what they call a “blue sky vision.” What this involves is getting the team to envision the how the process would look freed of any limitations or constraints, that is, “the ideal efficiency level.” To arrive at this blue-sky vision, all “regulatory, technological, organizational, economic,” and “safety-related” constraints are simply set aside. And, then, “only the constraints which cannot be realistically eliminated within the timeframe of the project are carefully added back.” The result is what Stoll and Guilland call the “practical vision”—the vision that consultants and management together use to determine the situation-specific Lean objectives and precise steps to be taken.

]]>

Stoll and Guilland maintain that this approach usually results in more “ambitious” Lean target objectives and a more robust implementation, often with “dramatic improvements.” “This approach,” according to Stoll and Guilland, “has two main advantages over a traditional stepwise optimization process, where incremental improvements are made sequentially in different areas (e.g., technical, operational, organizational) or activities (e.g., manufacturing steps).” The first advantage is that improvements generally come about sooner and are more marked because everyone is operating from a “clear vision of the end-stage.” Second, this approach often provides a way around the resistance of team members. They are involved from the very beginning and have already made “the mental journey of going first to the ideal and theoretical situation.”

Further, with respect to life sciences consulting in Lean implementation efforts, Stoll and Guilland are firm in insisting that it is “not just about manufacturing,” that the same consulting approach can be applied to, for example, the supply chain and technical development as well. They explain that Lean’s “philosophy and principles can, and should, be applied to other business areas, to improve processes and teamwork by eliminating bureaucracy and silo thinking.” Still, they caution that a successful Lean implementation “should not be a one-time project” and should be “executed in several steps” in order to develop a sustainable “culture of continuous improvement.”

Engendering and sustaining that “culture of continuous improvement” is where qualified pharmaceutical consultants, steeped in all aspects life sciences consulting, can prove to be a great boon, especially in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

If you found this article interesting or informative, feel free to use it on your blog or website. Just don’t forget to credit the source and link to www.smartconsultinggroup.com. Thank you!

Related Lean Manufacturing Articles

Manufacturing in simple terms means changing of raw materials into final goods, ready for selling. Different processing methods and equipments are used in this transformation. So, how do you manage all these processes?

Definitely, you can take the help of a manufacturing accounting software. Manufacturing Accounting Software is developed with a view to achieve the various financial needs related to production. It is full of various functional modules assigned for different tasks. Accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger and much more are the essential modules of an efficient manufacturing software.

No matter what your business is, no matter whether it is big or small, you are bound to face some of the critical business challenges. Some of the basic challenges of a business related to manufacturing like constant optimization of inventories, processing and fulfilling of customer orders in a timely manner have to be tackled in an efficient way while keeping a firm grasp on the financial aspects of the company.

And here the great role of manufacturing accounting software comes into picture and enables you to face the challenges of your business set up. To define manufacturing software, it is an application used in the management and inventory field. Management and control of any organization has never been so easy.

A manufacturing software enables you to handle everything associated with production very easily. Management of manufacturing involves four main steps- estimating, producing, accounting and reviewing. And, with manufacturing software, all these become very easy. A manufacturing software is very helpful in entering different plans electronically and monitoring their process regularly. It also helps in tracking the assets of a company which is a crucial part.

]]>

Manufacturing software is great in the sense that it can easily link the product demand with the production ability of a company. It helps in the optimization of resource usage. It is great in forecasting future trends as well. Features such as sales forecasting, contact management, analysis and alike help in the effective management of the organization.

There are several manufacturing accounting software which you will find beneficial to your particular industry. Some of the manufacturing software solutions have developed manufacturing- specific solutions for different product lines. Manufacturing business requires that when the demand hits, it must be able to deliver. This software provides you the required tools to keep production running smoothly and efficiently, including powerful inventory management tools, job costing tools and much more.

One such excellent manufacturing accounting software is developed by Sage software to meet the unique accounting needs of the manufacturers. The name of the software is Peachtree Premium Accounting for Manufacturing. It encompasses key data and tools to assist you in fulfilling important jobs, quickly and easily. Other features of the software are manufacturing guide, pre-built reports, work tickets and quantity price breaks giving accurate inventory control and making you aware of the operational insight into your production and assembly processes. Above all, starting up and learning this software is very easy.

The software supports core accounting features and reporting options. It helps you in keeping track of:

a) Accounts Receivable
b) Time, Billing and Job Costing
c) General Ledger
d) Inventory
e) Accounts Payable
f) Payroll Solutions
g) Fixed Assets

Peachtree Premium Accounting software thus makes it possible for you to conquer the challenges of operating a profitable manufacturing business. It gives you a powerful yet flexible tool, designed specifically to help you meet challenges of your manufacturing operations. This software is known for its sound inventory and assembly management features. All these make this software, the choice of millions of small businesses. I strongly recommend you this software for at least once in your business. And I’m sure that you will be hooked.

More Manufacturing Software Articles

Activplant Receives Patent on Its Throughput Analyzer

Activplant Corporation, the standard in performance management software solutions from

china.com/news/ for the world’s leading manufacturers, announced that it has been granted a patent on its latest

manufacturing software innovation, the Throughput Analyzer.  Since its release in 2007, the Throughput Analyzer has been

deployed in many of the world’s largest manufacturing facilities.  This patent confirms Throughput Analyzer’s cutting edge

innovation in the performance management space, which enhances and extends the capabilities required by manufacturers in

today’s competitive market place.  The patented Throughput Capability Metric is a technology that supersedes all previous

measurement metrics, including OEE and downtime, in its ability to identify the key chronic disruptors to overall product Activplant Corporation, the standard in performance management software solutions from

china.com/news/ for the world’s leading manufacturers, announced that it has been granted a patent on its latest

manufacturing software innovation, the Throughput Analyzer.  Since its release in 2007, the Throughput Analyzer has been

deployed in many of the world’s largest manufacturing facilities.  This patent confirms Throughput Analyzer’s cutting edge

innovation in the performance management space, which enhances and extends the capabilities required by manufacturers in

today’s competitive market place.  The patented Throughput Capability Metric is a technology that supersedes all previous

measurement metrics, including OEE and downtime, in its ability to identify the key chronic disruptors to overall product

flow.

The Throughput Capability Metric determines how each line impacts from  the overall

performance of end of line production.  It provides a Balance Map simply coded to allow continuous improvement teams to see

specifically where they need to focus their efforts.  This innovative approach has been deployed at numerous large

manufacturing organizations within several industrial verticals, including Automotive, Industrial Equipment, Food & Beverage,

Bottling, and Packaging resulting in sustained operational gains of 8 percent to 18 percent overall.  The application has

been deployed in as little as 6 weeks and reportedly delivers ROI typically within 6 months.

Greg Gorbach, ARC Advisory Group, commented, “High-volume, high-automation manufacturers need to be able to quickly spot

bottlenecks in order to remove constraints and improve performance.  Activplant’s Throughput Analyzer provides this

information graphically, in real-time, and in context of the entire production process, allowing managers to make the best

decisions to improve manufacturing productivity performance, and to focus their continuous improvement activities.”

Activplant Corporation, the standard in performance management software solutions from

china.com/news/ for the world’s leading manufacturers, announced that it has been granted a patent on its latest

manufacturing software innovation, the Throughput Analyzer.  Since its release in 2007, the Throughput Analyzer has been

deployed in many of the world’s largest manufacturing facilities.  This patent confirms Throughput Analyzer’s cutting edge

innovation in the performance management space, which enhances and extends the capabilities required by manufacturers in

today’s competitive market place.  The patented Throughput Capability Metric is a technology that supersedes all previous

measurement metrics, including OEE and downtime, in its ability to identify the key chronic disruptors to overall product

flow.

The Throughput Capability Metric determines how each line impacts from  the overall

performance of end of line production.  It provides a Balance Map simply coded to allow continuous improvement teams to see

specifically where they need to focus their efforts.  This innovative approach has been deployed at numerous large

manufacturing organizations within several industrial verticals, including Automotive, Industrial Equipment, Food & Beverage,

Bottling, and Packaging resulting in sustained operational gains of 8 percent to 18 percent overall.  The application has

been deployed in as little as 6 weeks and reportedly delivers ROI typically within 6 months.

Greg Gorbach, ARC Advisory Group, commented, “High-volume, high-automation manufacturers need to be able to quickly spot

bottlenecks in order to remove constraints and improve performance.  Activplant’s Throughput Analyzer provides this

information graphically, in real-time, and in context of the entire production process, allowing managers to make the best

decisions to improve manufacturing productivity performance, and to focus their continuous improvement activities.”

Activplant Corporation, the standard in performance management software solutions from

china.com/news/ for the world’s leading manufacturers, announced that it has been granted a patent on its latest

manufacturing software innovation, the Throughput Analyzer.  Since its release in 2007, the Throughput Analyzer has been

deployed in many of the world’s largest manufacturing facilities.  This patent confirms Throughput Analyzer’s cutting edge

innovation in the performance management space, which enhances and extends the capabilities required by manufacturers in

today’s competitive market place.  The patented Throughput Capability Metric is a technology that supersedes all previous

measurement metrics, including OEE and downtime, in its ability to identify the key chronic disruptors to overall product

flow.

The Throughput Capability Metric determines how each line impacts from  the overall

performance of end of line production.  It provides a Balance Map simply coded to allow continuous improvement teams to see

specifically where they need to focus their efforts.  This innovative approach has been deployed at numerous large

manufacturing organizations within several industrial verticals, including Automotive, Industrial Equipment, Food & Beverage,

]]>

Bottling, and Packaging resulting in sustained operational gains of 8 percent to 18 percent overall.  The application has

been deployed in as little as 6 weeks and reportedly delivers ROI typically within 6 months.

Greg Gorbach, ARC Advisory Group, commented, “High-volume, high-automation manufacturers need to be able to quickly spot

bottlenecks in order to remove constraints and improve performance.  Activplant’s Throughput Analyzer provides this

information graphically, in real-time, and in context of the entire production process, allowing managers to make the best

decisions to improve manufacturing productivity performance, and to focus their continuous improvement activities.”

Activplant Corporation, the standard in performance management software solutions from

china.com/news/ for the world’s leading manufacturers, announced that it has been granted a patent on its latest

manufacturing software innovation, the Throughput Analyzer.  Since its release in 2007, the Throughput Analyzer has been

deployed in many of the world’s largest manufacturing facilities.  This patent confirms Throughput Analyzer’s cutting edge

innovation in the performance management space, which enhances and extends the capabilities required by manufacturers in

today’s competitive market place.  The patented Throughput Capability Metric is a technology that supersedes all previous

measurement metrics, including OEE and downtime, in its ability to identify the key chronic disruptors to overall product

flow.

The Throughput Capability Metric determines how each line impacts from  the overall

performance of end of line production.  It provides a Balance Map simply coded to allow continuous improvement teams to see

specifically where they need to focus their efforts.  This innovative approach has been deployed at numerous large

manufacturing organizations within several industrial verticals, including Automotive, Industrial Equipment, Food & Beverage,

Bottling, and Packaging resulting in sustained operational gains of 8 percent to 18 percent overall.  The application has

been deployed in as little as 6 weeks and reportedly delivers ROI typically within 6 months.

Greg Gorbach, ARC Advisory Group, commented, “High-volume, high-automation manufacturers need to be able to quickly spot

bottlenecks in order to remove constraints and improve performance.  Activplant’s Throughput Analyzer provides this

information graphically, in real-time, and in context of the entire production process, allowing managers to make the best

decisions to improve manufacturing productivity performance, and to focus their continuous improvement activities.”

Activplant Corporation, the standard in performance management software solutions from

china.com/news/ for the world’s leading manufacturers, announced that it has been granted a patent on its latest

manufacturing software innovation, the Throughput Analyzer.  Since its release in 2007, the Throughput Analyzer has been

deployed in many of the world’s largest manufacturing facilities.  This patent confirms Throughput Analyzer’s cutting edge

innovation in the performance management space, which enhances and extends the capabilities required by manufacturers in

today’s competitive market place.  The patented Throughput Capability Metric is a technology that supersedes all previous

measurement metrics, including OEE and downtime, in its ability to identify the key chronic disruptors to overall product

flow.

The Throughput Capability Metric determines how each line impacts from  the overall

performance of end of line production.  It provides a Balance Map simply coded to allow continuous improvement teams to see

specifically where they need to focus their efforts.  This innovative approach has been deployed at numerous large

manufacturing organizations within several industrial verticals, including Automotive, Industrial Equipment, Food & Beverage,

Bottling, and Packaging resulting in sustained operational gains of 8 percent to 18 percent overall.  The application has

been deployed in as little as 6 weeks and reportedly delivers ROI typically within 6 months.

Greg Gorbach, ARC Advisory Group, commented, “High-volume, high-automation manufacturers need to be able to quickly spot

bottlenecks in order to remove constraints and improve performance.  Activplant’s Throughput Analyzer provides this

information graphically, in real-time, and in context of the entire production process, allowing managers to make the best

decisions to improve manufacturing productivity performance, and to focus their continuous improvement activities.”

Activplant Corporation, the standard in performance management software solutions from

china.com/news/ for the world’s leading manufacturers, announced that it has been granted a patent on its latest

manufacturing software innovation, the Throughput Analyzer.  Since its release in 2007, the Throughput Analyzer has been

deployed in many of the world’s largest manufacturing facilities.  This patent confirms Throughput Analyzer’s cutting edge

innovation in the performance management space, which enhances and extends the capabilities required by manufacturers in

today’s competitive market place.  The patented Throughput Capability Metric is a technology that supersedes all previous

measurement metrics, including OEE and downtime, in its ability to identify the key chronic disruptors to overall product

flow.

The Throughput Capability Metric determines how each line impacts from  the overall

performance of end of line production.  It provides a Balance Map simply coded to allow continuous improvement teams to see

specifically where they need to focus their efforts.  This innovative approach has been deployed at numerous large

manufacturing organizations within several industrial verticals, including Automotive, Industrial Equipment, Food & Beverage,

Bottling, and Packaging resulting in sustained operational gains of 8 percent to 18 percent overall.  The application has

been deployed in as little as 6 weeks and reportedly delivers ROI typically within 6 months.

Greg Gorbach, ARC Advisory Group, commented, “High-volume, high-automation manufacturers need to be able to quickly spot

bottlenecks in order to remove constraints and improve performance.  Activplant’s Throughput Analyzer provides this

information graphically, in real-time, and in context of the entire production process, allowing managers to make the best

decisions to improve manufacturing productivity performance, and to focus their continuous improvement activities.”

Activplant Corporation, the standard in performance management software solutions from

china.com/news/ for the world’s leading manufacturers, announced that it has been granted a patent on its latest

manufacturing software innovation, the Throughput Analyzer.  Since its release in 2007, the Throughput Analyzer has been

deployed in many of the world’s largest manufacturing facilities.  This patent confirms Throughput Analyzer’s cutting edge

innovation in the performance management space, which enhances and extends the capabilities required by manufacturers in

today’s competitive market place.  The patented Throughput Capability Metric is a technology that supersedes all previous

measurement metrics, including OEE and downtime, in its ability to identify the key chronic disruptors to overall product

flow.

The Throughput Capability Metric determines how each line impacts from  the overall

performance of end of line production.  It provides a Balance Map simply coded to allow continuous improvement teams to see

specifically where they need to focus their efforts.  This innovative approach has been deployed at numerous large

manufacturing organizations within several industrial verticals, including Automotive, Industrial Equipment, Food & Beverage,

Bottling, and Packaging resulting in sustained operational gains of 8 percent to 18 percent overall.  The application has

been deployed in as little as 6 weeks and reportedly delivers ROI typically within 6 months.

Greg Gorbach, ARC Advisory Group, commented, “High-volume, high-automation manufacturers need to be able to quickly spot

bottlenecks in order to remove constraints and improve performance.  Activplant’s Throughput Analyzer provides this

information graphically, in real-time, and in context of the entire production process, allowing managers to make the best

decisions to improve manufacturing productivity performance, and to focus their continuous improvement activities.”

Activplant Corporation, the standard in performance management software solutions from

china.com/news/ for the world’s leading manufacturers, announced that it has been granted a patent on its latest

manufacturing software innovation, the Throughput Analyzer.  Since its release in 2007, the Throughput Analyzer has been

deployed in many of the world’s largest manufacturing facilities.  This patent confirms Throughput Analyzer’s cutting edge

innovation in the performance management space, which enhances and extends the capabilities required by manufacturers in

today’s competitive market place.  The patented Throughput Capability Metric is a technology that supersedes all previous

measurement metrics, including OEE and downtime, in its ability to identify the key chronic disruptors to overall product

flow.

The Throughput Capability Metric determines how each line impacts from  the overall

performance of end of line production.  It provides a Balance Map simply coded to allow continuous improvement teams to see

specifically where they need to focus their efforts.  This innovative approach has been deployed at numerous large

manufacturing organizations within several industrial verticals, including Automotive, Industrial Equipment, Food & Beverage,

Bottling, and Packaging resulting in sustained operational gains of 8 percent to 18 percent overall.  The application has

been deployed in as little as 6 weeks and reportedly delivers ROI typically within 6 months.

Greg Gorbach, ARC Advisory Group, commented, “High-volume, high-automation manufacturers need to be able to quickly spot

bottlenecks in order to remove constraints and improve performance.  Activplant’s Throughput Analyzer provides this

information graphically, in real-time, and in context of the entire production process, allowing managers to make the best

decisions to improve manufacturing productivity performance, and to focus their continuous improvement activities.”

flow.

The Throughput Capability Metric determines how each line impacts from  the overall

performance of end of line production.  It provides a Balance Map simply coded to allow continuous improvement teams to see

specifically where they need to focus their efforts.  This innovative approach has been deployed at numerous large

manufacturing organizations within several industrial verticals, including Automotive, Industrial Equipment, Food & Beverage,

Bottling, and Packaging resulting in sustained operational gains of 8 percent to 18 percent overall.  The application has

been deployed in as little as 6 weeks and reportedly delivers ROI typically within 6 months.

Greg Gorbach, ARC Advisory Group, commented, “High-volume, high-automation manufacturers need to be able to quickly spot

bottlenecks in order to remove constraints and improve performance.  Activplant’s Throughput Analyzer provides this

information graphically, in real-time, and in context of the entire production process, allowing managers to make the best

decisions to improve manufacturing productivity performance, and to focus their continuous improvement activities.”

Related Manufacturing Software Articles

Kaizen ? Lean Manufacturing Continuous Improvement

Kaizen – Lean Manufacturing Continuous Improvement

One of the most popular buzzwords in business today is the word “kaizen”. It is a Japanese word meaning “incremental improvement”.

Kaizen was formalized by the Toyota Production System, which is now utilized throughout the US as lean manufacturing.

The term kaizen is often coupled with another word to create the phrase “kaizen events”. The kaizen event is the term given to a highly focused continuous improvement event consisting of a team working together for a brief time period to solve a business problem.

The kaizen event could focus on any business opportunity. It could be a line re-design, SMED (single minute exchange of die) setup reduction event, speed improvement, cycle time reduction, waste reduction, or any other issue. Kaizen events are also conducted in service industries such as hospitals, banks, and other non-manufacturing businesses.

A kaizen event is similar to a brainstorming exercise, at least in the beginning stages.

Kaizen teams normally consist of 4-7 individuals. The team normally spends 100% of their time for a few days until the business problem or issue is solved for improved. The team often consists of a cross functional group of individuals with either knowledge in the area of focus or working in a department which is impacted by the issue. For example, a kaizen event to improve lead time 50% might include individuals from sales, manufacturing, scheduling, and shipping. The idea is for the team to be able to consider all views of the problem. A cross functional team will be able to understand the impact of every decision on all other areas.

]]>

Kaizen events are normally conducted for significant improvement. The mission statement clearly states the expected results. For example, the mission statement might be to “reduce waste on line 4 from 8% to 4%”.

There is generally one piece of paper containing all pertinent information concerning the events, including:

Mission Statement with Objective

Team Members, Leader, and Management Sponsor

Current Problem Statement

Resources Required

Expected Completion Date

Results

Signoffs

The kaizen team generally meets first for instructions, brainstorming of ideas, and development of action plans. Kaizen’s usually follow the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) methodology. As the PDCA model suggests, once the actions are planned, they are carried out, checked, and actions taken based on the results. The PDCA cycle is continued until the problem is sufficiently solved.

Kaizen teams should gather their own facts by observing the issues or problems for themselves. Observations show many issues that cannot be detected viewing reports and data.

Once the kaizen team has obtained improvement, most groups will give a presentation to management.

Kaizen’s often result in new ways of doing job tasks or conducting business. Procedures, tasks, duties, and sequences may be changed. It is usually necessary for the team to work with the affected positions until all jobs become standardized (another lean term). If the new process is not standardized, it is common for people to revert back to the old comfortable procedures. It often takes some time to obtain maximum improvement through practicing the new procedures.

Some kaizen events result in more work being done with less people. It is important in any lean manufacturing implementation to not put people out of work. Most successful lean manufacturing implementations move people to the “5S” or other work team until the company grows and needs them in other areas. As this process continues, a company will eventually produce much more product will the same amount of employees.

If a company reduces their headcount as a result of Lean manufacturing and Kaizen events, the improvement process will not be sustained. People simply will not work themselves out of a job, and certainly will not help a company eliminate their job.

It is important to celebrate and share success from kaizen events. Don’t forget to involve the people whose jobs have changed. They helped make the company better, and deserve to share in the celebration.

More Lean Manufacture Articles

The fast expanding digital world has made all business houses and corporate sectors data dependent. With this increasing importance of data, the requirement of data centers and its importance is also on the rise. A data center is a facility that houses the infrastructure on which the data rests. The data center houses the servers its associated components, storage systems, networking systems, backup power supplies, data communication connections, security devices and environmental controls.

The global business world has made it quite challenging to manage data across geographical boundaries while maintaining the required industry standard compliances. But with efficient data center management solutions such complexities and challenges should not hinder the growth of business. Keeping in line with the present competitive business scenario, today’s data centers need to be proactive in monitoring and managing data center consolidation, migration and automation, provide virtualization and cloud based hosting services. The ability to reduce energy consumption and be environment friendly gives data centers a green tag.

The data center management services suite should be able to provide customized solutions and options for to organisation such as, an innovative good IT infrastructure, co-location services aligned to customer’s business objectives. Further managing the migration to advanced technologies and upgrading and optimizing the operational efficiencies need to done dexterously. With proven and robust transition and deployment methodology, the data centre should provide a good business value to the client. The client looks for benefit through the consolidation and virtualization process, streamlining of incident and event handling, low operational costs, scalability and offshore leverage.

Irrespective of the industry verticals and organizational size, whether it is a small business financial management company or a large conglomerate involved in manufacturing software solution for the industry, data centre is the central powerhouse. Efficient Data center management will have a secure, automated, real-time tracking and control of all the servers, embedded technologies and network equipment and power devices. This will ensure manageability from any location irrespective of the hardware, operating system or network. With a centralized management system, methods to monitor energy consumption in the data centre and remote locations and efficient rack managements would be a powerful platform. The inbuilt solution such as asset management and infrastructure management paves way for quick decision-making and effective and efficient execution on critical activity reports.

JPines Media filters, evaluates, and determines the efficacy of industrial technology applications and solutions on behalf of TR Cutler, Inc. (www.trcutlerinc.com.)

Thomas R. Cutler is the most published freelance industrial journalist, authoring more than five hundred feature articles annually.  TR Cutler has been published in more than a thousand Business-to-Business industrial journals and trade publications as well as numerous textbooks.

JPines Media recently entered a strategic partnership with TR Cutler, Inc. and will be developing the research elements, case studies, white papers, and product profiles for the Florida-based journalist. Pines noted, “My goal is to serve as a liaison for TR Cutler sharing the best manufacturing software, technology, and people.  The companies JPines Media will share with TR Cutler, Inc. are involved in all phases of industry including manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, and industrial technology applications.  Industry sectors and technology solutions include food and beverage, medical device, plant floor operations, and dozens of other sectors.  These companies are best-in-class and practice lean and Six Sigma methodologies.”

]]>

JPines Media (www.JPinesMedia.com) specializes in media consulting.  From development to integration, from strategic planning to global media outreach, the firm focuses on three primary target segments: industrial technology applications, sports management/products, and musicians.  Industrial technology applications run the gamut from manufacturing, warehousing to distribution and enterprise-wide integration.

JPines Media devised a comprehensive media outreach program which allows clients in these market sectors to capture massive media presence at a fraction of the usual costs.  Through proprietary global media technologies, exclusively developed with JPines Media, participants are able to both quantitatively and qualitatively assess the impact of this marketing campaign.

JPines Media provides comprehensive metrics to demonstrate the efficacy and value in each and every program utilized.  According to President, Jarrod I. Pines, “We offer complete solutions for progressive, inventive, and dynamic organizations.   Through our extensive worldwide network of strategic alliance partners, clients capture maximized presence and branding.”

Unlike other media outreach organizations, JPines Media utilizes extraordinary and voluminous messaging techniques to spotlight the very best of clients’ unique features, advantages, and benefits.

Pines insists, “Even industrial leaders are reluctant to tell their story to the media.  Too often they consider such promotion to be boastful or bragging.  We believe that clients must tell their story every day throughout the year to create a strong, recognizable, and valuable brand.”

Find More Manufacturing Software Articles

Life Sciences Consulting to Create a Lean Culture in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing

Life sciences consulting is beginning to catch on in the technologically complex and highly regulated area of biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The reason is that many previous attempts at implementing lean manufacturing techniques in this industry have generally been “superficial” and have, consequently, produced “only limited benefits.” With qualified consultants, however, the story can have a different ending.

In an October 2009 article, “Harvesting the Benefits of LEAN in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing” (BioPharm International 22.10), Thibaud S. Stoll and Jean-Francois Guilland explain: “LEAN has . . . been implemented in many manufacturing industries, where it has triggered major transformations. However, LEAN has often brought only limited benefits. The first reason is that LEAN often has been implemented in a superficial manner, with a focus on ‘just-in-time’ objectives only, without being understood as an entire system that must permeate an organization’s culture.” And there’s the key: an organization-wide buy-in and subsequent cultural shift.

Pharmaceutical consultants have the job, then, of fostering a “process-oriented organization . . . to ensure optimal support of LEAN and the development of a culture of continuous improvement.” Stoll and Guilland propose a unique way for consultants to go about this during the preliminary assessment and analysis stages of a Lean implementation.

They propose, after the quantitative objectives have been set, the use of what they call a “blue sky vision.” What this involves is getting the team to envision the how the process would look freed of any limitations or constraints, that is, “the ideal efficiency level.” To arrive at this blue-sky vision, all “regulatory, technological, organizational, economic,” and “safety-related” constraints are simply set aside. And, then, “only the constraints which cannot be realistically eliminated within the timeframe of the project are carefully added back.” The result is what Stoll and Guilland call the “practical vision”—the vision that consultants and management together use to determine the situation-specific Lean objectives and precise steps to be taken.

]]>

Stoll and Guilland maintain that this approach usually results in more “ambitious” Lean target objectives and a more robust implementation, often with “dramatic improvements.” “This approach,” according to Stoll and Guilland, “has two main advantages over a traditional stepwise optimization process, where incremental improvements are made sequentially in different areas (e.g., technical, operational, organizational) or activities (e.g., manufacturing steps).” The first advantage is that improvements generally come about sooner and are more marked because everyone is operating from a “clear vision of the end-stage.” Second, this approach often provides a way around the resistance of team members. They are involved from the very beginning and have already made “the mental journey of going first to the ideal and theoretical situation.”

Further, with respect to life sciences consulting in Lean implementation efforts, Stoll and Guilland are firm in insisting that it is “not just about manufacturing,” that the same consulting approach can be applied to, for example, the supply chain and technical development as well. They explain that Lean’s “philosophy and principles can, and should, be applied to other business areas, to improve processes and teamwork by eliminating bureaucracy and silo thinking.” Still, they caution that a successful Lean implementation “should not be a one-time project” and should be “executed in several steps” in order to develop a sustainable “culture of continuous improvement.”

Engendering and sustaining that “culture of continuous improvement” is where qualified pharmaceutical consultants, steeped in all aspects life sciences consulting, can prove to be a great boon, especially in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

If you found this article interesting or informative, feel free to use it on your blog or website. Just don’t forget to credit the source and link to www.smartconsultinggroup.com. Thank you!

Related Lean Manufacturing Articles

Jarrod I. Pines insists, “Even industrial leaders are reluctant to tell their story to the media.  Too often they consider such promotion to be boastful or bragging.  We believe that clients must tell their story every day throughout the year to create a strong, recognizable, and valuable brand.”

For this reason JPines Media recently entered into a strategic alliance with prolific manufacturing journalist Thomas R. Cutler.  Cutler is the most published freelance industrial journalist, authoring more than five hundred feature articles annually.  TR Cutler has been published in more than a thousand Business-to-Business industrial journals and trade publications as well as numerous textbooks.

JPines Media recently entered a strategic partnership with TR Cutler, Inc. and will be developing the research elements, case studies, white papers, and product profiles for the Florida-based journalist. Pines noted, “My goal is to serve as a liaison for TR Cutler sharing the best manufacturing software, technology, and people.  The companies JPines Media will share with TR Cutler, Inc. are involved in all phases of industry including manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, and industrial technology applications.  Industry sectors and technology solutions include food and beverage, medical device, plant floor operations, and dozens of other sectors.  These companies are best-in-class and practice lean and Six Sigma methodologies.”

]]>

JPines Media filters, evaluates, and determines the efficacy of industrial technology applications and solutions on behalf of TR Cutler, Inc. (www.trcutlerinc.com.)

Cutler said, “JPines Media is a new organization with extensive research and analysis background.  The ability to identify forward thinking organizations with exception technology solutions for the manufacturing sector is vital to writing about cutting edge companies, products, and fresh concepts.”

JPines Media (www.JPinesMedia.com) specializes in media consulting.  From development to integration, from strategic planning to global media outreach, the firm focuses on three primary target segments: industrial technology applications, sports management/products, and musicians.  Industrial technology applications run the gamut from manufacturing, warehousing to distribution and enterprise-wide integration.

www.dbamanufacturing.com – DBA Manufacturing MRP Software provides the planning tools that help you deliver on time while keeping inventory and WIP to a minimum.

Video Rating: 5 / 5

Lean Strategies Adopted Across Industries

Consumers Interstate Corporation has revolutionized the lean procurement process, leading to a number of success stories from manufacturing companies all listed in the “Case Studies” portion of the website. However, lean strategies aren’t just applicable to manufacturing plants; recently, lean strategies have been utilized across industries, from major companies like Johnson & Johnson, to smaller hospitals like Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio. These companies join a growing number of businesses in a myriad of industries that have revamped their operations to be leaner and more efficient, all to a variety of benefits.

            Toyota, the original developer of the lean manufacturing method with their Toyota Production System (TPS) was able to not only become a model for other companies looking to cut out waste and become their most efficient, but in the process was able to become among the ten most powerful companies in the world. Through TPS’s key goals of eliminating overburden, inconsistency, and waste, Toyota was able to decrease the amount of time necessary for the entire completion of a vehicle as well as overall cost.

            Indicating that lean methods can be applied to all aspects of a company is the shift from Toyota’s makeover of their assembly line manufacturing to that of Nike’s human resources department. Nike implemented lean procurement techniques with a total overhaul of their method of employee management. The company found itself leaner after a shift from a predominantly supervisory management style to one of self-management. Nike president and CEO Mark Parker hopes to implement lean management techniques into further portions of the company, quoted as saying such on the blog leanblog.org: “We will continue to be very aggressive in pursuing lean manufacturing practices, materials consolidation, focusing on style and SKU productivity, and gaining supply chain efficiencies.”

]]>

            GE’s lean manufacturing refurbish was one of the green variety. In an attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the company implemented the lean method of engine balancing to their process of jet engine tests at their testing compound facility in Peebles, Ohio. When testing airline jets, the engines were originally started three times over, however, under the new lean process, the engines are now only started once. The fuel-saving measure indeed proved to be both green environmentally and monetarily, reducing fuel intake from 20,000 gallons to 10,000 gallons and saving over a million dollars annually.

            Another company that has utilized the lean procurement methodology successfully is Johnson and Johnson, which used the Six Sigma approach, a specific lean approach. The process proved so beneficial to the corporation, they now not only have six Six Sigma experts (referred to as “belts”) on staff, but have also developed a prototype called “Sally Sigma” to instruct employees on lean procurement methods, policies, and procedures. Sigma Sally is able to further impact leanness by communicating such tools, principles, and practices to employees in all sectors of the business. Johnson and Johnson reports that other companies have since adopted similar “Sigma Sally” initiatives.

            The healthcare world is a final arena where lean manufacturing techniques have been effectively implemented, specifically, at Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio. Here a team consisting of six members, similar to that of Johnson and Johnson’s, operate the hospital’s Center for Operations Excellence, which has instituted such changes as refining the way surgical instruments are cleaned and reducing the number of patient relocations. These seemingly small modifications have resulted in an increase in the number of surgeries performed annually and decreased the amount of time each patient spends at the hospital per visit.

            Lean procurement and manufacturing systems have come a long way since Toyota’s initial creation of TPS, evolving into concepts such Six Sigma methodologies and allowing companies worldwide to maximize profits and productivity while minimizing waste. Through the implementation of lean methods companies have increased employee productivity and satisfaction, cut costs and saved money, and helped make the world a greener, more pleasant place to live. Imagine the benefits lean procurement could have for your company! Please don’t hesitate to contact us for your free consultation.

More Lean Manufacturing Articles

Embrace A POS Software Program To Make Business Highly Efficient

The retail industry is witnessing a remarkable growth these days. Therefore, it is now a challenge for retail businesses to maintain the momentum they have gained through enhanced customer service, streamlined business operations and optimum utilization of resources. Different from a conventional cash register, a point of sale or POS software program promotes diverse good things about your retail or restaurant business that includes improved efficiency.

Similarly, the textile industry has undergone a constant transformation in the last few years. It focuses on carrying out their business in an organized manner. That’s why garment manufacturing software in the form of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) can be employed and it certainly plays a vital part. Hence, the most important goal is to plan out the resources utilized and record suitable data in software.

Proactive entrepreneurs are continuously looking for new means to enhance efficiency of their business, from investing in state-of-the-art computer systems to releasing attractive employee incentive plans. However, what is your say if there is a technique to increase efficiency by getting yourself one product? If you’re owner of a retail business, one of the greatest techniques to accomplish just that is to buy a point of sale system which is the best retail business management software application. Here is a quick analysis of how you can increase productivity of operations with POS software.

]]>

Accelerate flow of work: With the proper retail management system software customized to your business needs, your POS system can help staff focus on essential functions, information and activities. For instance, the Microsoft Retail Management System (RMS) software developed for the retail point of sale system can provide staff with relevant information that is applicable to their particular position. So, employees land up having spare time to concentrate on customers.

Boost communication: With the precise mix of communications custom-made to fulfill your requirement such as instant messaging and Voice over IP facilities, your staff will gain access to vital information all the time. Enhancing communication also boosts teamwork, no matter whether your employees are currently in the same place.

User-friendly interface: Once you buy a POS solution from a reputed company, you will obtain an easy-to-use software program like Microsoft’s Retail Management System Software. Such a software program incorporates a trouble-free interface that is identical to other Microsoft offerings like Excel and Outlook. Employees will get a chance to work with recognizable tools and expend less amount of time on learning the POS system.

WELCOME TO USER SOLUTIONS, INC. MANUFACTURING SOFTWARE MADE EASY We help you solve your manufacturing and operations management challenges: Simply, Quickly and Affordably. From a simple Excel Template for Project Management to a fully integrated solution that works just right for your planning and scheduling challenges, we offer you a risk free, fast track approach to address your most critical needs. If you want a simple, quick, and affordable solution for your problem, give US a try. For more information, including no-risk evaluation software and custom demos using your data, contact US Today! User Solutions offerings are created from our users own wish lists. Customers just like you, facing incredible challenges to stay competitive. Being forced by their market to do more for less, they turned to User Solutions for help. You can too. Visit www.UserSolutions.com

Video Rating: 0 / 5