ERP Consultant Blog

16 Ways Barcode Software Helps Small Manufacturing Companies Get Lean

Written by Shaun Boros | Fri, Aug 30, 2013

Anyone working in the manufacturing industry knows that the overall goal is to achieve lean manufacturing. This is typically accomplished by implementing a lean manufacturing strategy. Lean manufacturing is essentially producing more with less through the reduction of waste. The main objective of lean manufacturing is to specify your company’s value, identify a value stream, make products flow at the rate of customer demand, and to constantly make improvements. Manufacturers around the world are brainstorming ways to become more lean in an effort to boost productivity, reduce overhead costs, and increase profitability. However, many small manufacturing businesses have a hard time achieving lean manufacturing status. Implementing lean strategies often requires a significant amount of time and money that small businesses do not have.

Barcoding software helps small manufacturing companies achieve lean status. Manufacturers rely on a well-coordinated chain of events to make their operations work effectively. Companies that cannot provide real-time information about their products lag behind their competitors. Today’s business software applications (such as ERP systems, warehouse management systems, and supply chain visibility applications) rely on real-time data collection to provide the information needed to optimize processes, productivity, and profitability. These systems support lean strategies by eliminating wasteful processes and achieving maximum efficiency.

While many small businesses cannot implement every lean manufacturing strategy, they can implement a barcoding system to support lean principles. Consider the following benefits of adding a barcoding system to the warehouse.

16 Ways Barcode Software Helps Small Manufacturing Companies Get Lean

  1. Promotes known inventory and item location at all times
  2. Improves inventory stocks
  3. Reduces product search time
  4. Enhances manufacturing process control
  5. Promotes compliance
  6. Improves productivity
  7. Reduces finished goods cost
  8. Real-time monitoring of production, order fulfillment, and the distribution process
  9. Improves efficiency
  10. Helps move products profitability and quickly to meet demand
  11. Reduces inventory costs
  12. Reduces labor costs by eliminating manual processes
  13. Increases order accuracy
  14. Ensures complete and error-free shipments
  15. Improves customer satisfaction
  16. Promotes real-time data capture via ERP and warehouse management systems

As seen in the benefits above, barcoding software solutions support lean manufacturing principles. If your small business has given up on achieving lean status, consider implementing a barcoding software solution. It will not only eliminate unnecessary processes (waste), but it will also improve your company’s efficiency and accuracy. These improvements support lean principles and help your company achieve full customer satisfaction.

Title: Sage100 ERP Physical Counts to the cloud on iOS, Android, and Windows with Scanco Counts

Date: Thursday, October 10, 2013

Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PDT