Press Release Body: The entire feature article, The Ever Changing Supply Chain Dynamic, appeared in the May 2008 issue of The Machinist, and was authored by manufacturing journalist, Thomas R. Cutler; it can be read on the Datacraft Solutions' website.
Datacraft Solutions (www.datacraftsolutions.com) delivers a revolutionary digital kanban process of automation solutions to lean manufacturers through a secure Internet gateway, eliminating the need to install and maintain a complex IT infrastructure. The company has experienced significant growth in the past two years by eliminating complicated, expensive, time-intensive software implementations as well as extensive training regimens and the need for internal support. Datacraft Solutions' replenishment supply chain digital kanban system (Signum) allows customers to access and utilize powerful lean benefits immediately for a low, predictable monthly fee. Services are scalable so manufacturers can design an appropriate digital kanban solution.
Fixed costs in an ever-changing supply chain are critical according to Cutler. The SaaS model establishes a demand driven supply chain with fixed monthly costs, paying only for what is needed and used. Cost of ownership in this environment is easily calculated and contained. The reluctance for this modality just a few years ago was security since security issues with the data is hosted outside the enterprise walls. Demand driven supply chain SaaS solution providers, like North Carolina-based Datacraft Solutions, have overcome this former obstacle; the company provides a server farm with 100% redundancy and three OC3 lines. Data is 99.999% secure, and users have never experienced down time, thanks to a multiple UPS power backup system and 900 KW diesel Caterpillar generator. There are also biometric scanners for data center security for the physical access security to the server farm.
Additional supply chain savings are derived in a DDSC environment by freeing up man-hours typically wasted in communication follow-up and manually managing the kanban cards on the floor. There are other savings realized in reduced telephone calls and faxes, but more importantly, clients see improved supplier response time and delivery performance that translates into fewer stock-outs and lost production time in the plant.
A tier 1 automotive supplier materials manager noted, "We scan over 5000 cards a day, have just added 1500 parts from our tool crib, and have had zero part shortages since going live with the leading DDSC solution in just 3 months. Our inventory has reduced by approximately $2,000,000."
According to Stephen Parker, CEO of Datacraft Solutions, "A DDCS technology provider must become a lean manufacturer's indispensable partner for building dependable and cost effective digital supply chain replenishment networks. Such providers are delivering a revolutionary process of automation solutions to lean manufacturers through a secure Internet gateway, while eliminating complicated, expensive, time-intensive software implementations, extensive training regiments and internal support nightmares."
2025
