Manufacturing TipsProduction planning Bill of Materials (BOM) – An Essential Guide with Examples Regardless of the size of the manufacturing operation, a Bill of Materials (BOM) is vital for production. Companies across the globe utilize them as the guide and shopping list for their final product and as such, they are tied into manufacturing, maintenance, scheduling, purchasing, and other areas of the organization. By Karl H Lauri 19 min read
Manufacturing TipsProduction planning What Is a Master Production Schedule (MPS)? With Examples The master production schedule (MPS) is a production planning tool that helps to figure out how much of a product needs to be manufactured at different periods. This simple schedule can be used as a basis for further planning and scheduling throughout the manufacturing business. By Madis Kuuse 17 min read
Supply Chain What Is Distributed Manufacturing? In distributed manufacturing, production facilities are scattered throughout an extended geographical area, each one serving their local market, with their work coordinated with the help of cloud-based software. Distributed manufacturing is gradually gaining ground thanks to providing benefits such as shorter lead times and lower distribution costs. By Madis Kuuse 7 min read
Manufacturing Tips How to Communicate Effectively in a Manufacturing Company? An exchange of information is necessary to trigger any kind of action and as such, communication is an essential part of any manufacturing business. Improving your communication process and practices can therefore have a significant effect on the efficiency of your business. By Madis Kuuse 9 min read
InventoryManufacturing TipsSupply Chain Materials Management – Definition, Benefits, Best Practices Implementing proper materials management practices allows businesses to make sure the correct materials with the best price and quality reach the shop floor at the right time and in the correct quantity. Follow these best practices to get more control over this essential segment of the supply chain. By Madis Kuuse 12 min read
InventoryManufacturing TipsSupply Chain What is Traceability and How to Achieve It? Traceability is the ability to track a product or item throughout its entire supply chain, from its origin to the end consumer. Traceability enhances product safety and consumer trust by enabling companies to identify contamination or defect sources, perform targeted interventions and efficient product recalls, and increase transparency regarding the origins and handling of products. By Madis Kuuse 12 min read
ERPManufacturing Tips Paperless Manufacturing – How to Build a Paperless Factory? Paperless manufacturing means managing, coordinating, and reporting production activities purely with digital solutions. A paperless factory typically sees benefits such as the elimination of non-value-added tasks, better traceability, optimized production scheduling, shorter lead times, etc. By Madis Kuuse 9 min read
Production planning Discrete vs. Process Manufacturing – How Do They Differ? Discrete manufacturing implies producing distinct items that require assembly along a production line. Process manufacturing, on the other hand, produces goods by mixing or combining raw materials in a manufacturing process. In this article, we will explore key differences between the two manufacturing types and look at examples of each. By Mattias Turovski 8 min read
Choosing a SoftwareImplementationManufacturing Tips Advantages and Disadvantages of Using an MRP System Even though MRP systems are quickly becoming the norm even among SMEs, manufacturers need to be aware of their advantages and disadvantages before deciding to implement new software. Apart from the general benefits and downsides that can be applied to most MRP systems, there are also aspects that can drastically vary from provider to provider. By Madis Kuuse 12 min read
Choosing a SoftwareManufacturing TipsProduction planning Production Planning with Excel – Opportunities and Limitations Excel and other spreadsheet applications have been used in production planning for decades. Even though they are a viable first-step solution for micro-companies, a growing business should already look for something more scalable. By Madis Kuuse 9 min read
AccountingManufacturing TipsProduction planning Total Manufacturing Cost – What is it and How to Calculate it? Total manufacturing cost is an essential metric for understanding the profitability of a business. It can be used to adjust the selling price of your products, identify and cut expenses, and calculate other key metrics like the Cost of Goods Manufactured. In this post, we explore total manufacturing cost and its utility to manufacturers. By Madis Kuuse 10 min read
AccountingChoosing a SoftwareManufacturing Tips How to Use QuickBooks in Manufacturing? QuickBooks is one of the most popular accounting systems among growing businesses today. But when it comes to production management, the software needs a substantial amount of extra power. Here is how to make QuickBooks Online work in a manufacturing company. By Madis Kuuse 7 min read
