Released on: May 15, 2008, 6:29 am

Press Release Author: Thomas R. Cutler

Industry: Software

Press Release Summary: Hertzler's CEO Discusses Eliminating Apathy in Six Sigma in
May Quality Digest

Press Release Body: According to Evan Miller, president of Goshen, Indiana-based
Hertzler Systems Inc., "The key to success in the lean environment is discipline.
Initially, many companies just don't know how to manage projects. It's important to
learn to set formal expectations, make promises, and set boundaries around how much
you're going to try to accomplish." In the May issue of Quality Digest,
manufacturing journalist, Thomas R. Cutler, profiles Hertzler Systems' SPC
technology solution. Cutler asserts, "Whether using a lean Six Sigma quantification
methodology or other lean-principled effort, it's always exciting when a program
launches. The buy-in from members of the lean team is at its peak. Although arduous,
kaizen events, developing measurable results, and defining metrics of improvement
create a dynamic for change, improvement, participation, and purpose."

Hertzler Systems has been a leader in Statistical Process Control and Six Sigma for
over twenty years, and includes a diverse customer base in service, transactional
and manufacturing environments; clients include BAE Systems, Crown Audio, IDEX
Corporation, McCormick & Company, Inc., Hormel Foods Corporation, Titleist &
Footjoy, and TaylorMade-Adidas Golf Worldwide. The company\'s software and services
enable clients to collect and analyze data; building a robust data infrastructure
for making data-driven decisions. These capabilities help clients to reduce costs,
cycle time and errors, and increase profitability.


In the Quality Digest feature, Cutler notes there is a way to eliminate lean apathy.
Six months into a new lean initiative, people get tired. They're reacting the same
way they do to their New Year's resolution to get to the gym every morning at 5
a.m.: By June it's become 6 a.m. twice a week. When this happens, it's time for some
coaching-a fresh pair of eyes.

"One important discipline is a formal change-control process," Miller notes. "We
need flexibility in our rapid-pace business world. Change control provides a process
for prioritizing and managing the impact of those changes. It is one of the most
important tools that control 'scope creep.'"

Indeed. When a project's metrics drag along with little result, apathy sets in and
team members feel discouraged. Change control is an important tool to re-empower the
team. In a data-driven culture, there are cost-effective ways to simultaneously
collect and visualize critical data that allows members of a lean team to commit and
recommit to continued process improvement.

In a Six Sigma environment, the ability to anticipate these quantifiable
measurements allows the project to continue in a consistent manner, as follows:
. Reduce costs and cycle times of Six Sigma projects by automatically collecting
critical outcome data (critical Y) and the inputs that drive those outcomes
(critical X).
. Focus attention on improvement goals through innovative defect-improvement charts
in service and manufacturing businesses.
. Uncover hidden sources of variation using automated statistical tools.
. Drill down into data to identify significant opportunities for improvement.



Hertzler Systems (www.hertzler.com) provides seamless, accurate data acquisition
solutions that drive business transformation. The company provides the leading
real-time data acquisition and analytics software, the GainSeeker Suite. This
powerful and flexible system is best used by lean and progressive companies.
Gainseeker Suite allows companies to connect with devices and other information
systems, collecting data and alarming key personnel when problems arise; this
technology allows organizations to analyze data for root cause problems, converting
data into knowledge.



Hertzler Systems Inc.
www.hertzler.com
Adrienne DePew
Communications Manager
info@hertzler.com
800.958.2709



Web Site: http://www.hertzler.com

Contact Details: Hertzler Systems
2312 Eisenhower Dr. N.
Goshen, IN 46526
800-958-2709