Datacraft Solutions Shares e-Kanban with IndustryWeek Editors
IndustryWeek, one of the nation's more important manufacturing
publications, examined how e-kanban solutions are core to an
effective lean manufacturing initiative and provides a detailed
report on the industry leader Datacraft Solutions. According to
Matthew Marotta, founder of Datacraft Solutions, "We do not
charge for upgrades to the system as we learn about new best
practices that clients ask us to incorporate. Before Datacraft
incorporates the request, it is reviewed buy a lean advisory
board to validate the value of the best practices and the value
added impact upon our partner community. Once it is passed, they
develop, test, and implement."
The hosted solution provides the customer with their own set of
servers which are maintained offsite by and outsourced set of
administrators. All of the administration fees, equipment,
support teams and software updates are all included in the
monthly service fee which is less then the cost of hiring an
internal system administrator.
The value of an ASP is that manufacturers can buy "by the
drink", low risk, and a see a rapid ROI. Only internet access is
required.
The non-ASP option leaves manufacturers investing a large sum
into the communication network, IT personnel, IT training,
application servers, consulting for system modification, along
with all the hidden costs that come with it. The only
disadvantage of using an ASP is the client never owns the system
(application), only their own data. This concern tends to be the
issue of IT since they want to control all phases of the
e-kanban operation. The cost of the control is wasteful and
completely antithetical to a Lean Initiative.
While some ERP systems QAD, Factory Logic, and Supply Works
have some e-kanban functionality is not their core focus, so
manufacturers are purchasing the ERP system at a significant
price tag including all the prices increases (and upgrade
charges). From the perspective of Lean functionality and
immediate ROI the cost cannot be justified, unless there is a
plan for a manufacturer to replace the ERP system.
Datacraft Solutions www.datacraftsolutions.com Kelly Pryor
800-819-5326
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