LAFAYETTE, COJune 24, 2002Demand-driven manufacturing is a big issue these days, and Pelion Systems, Inc, a company specializing in automating lean flow manufacturing, stands to capitalize on it. Recently, the company announced the introduction of Collaborative Flow ManufacturingÔ 2.0 (CFMÔ), a modular software suite designed to optimize demand-driven manufacturing processes.
Pelion's CFM automates all of the core functions that make up lean flow manufacturing. It's new software includes:
- Facility Optimization CFM analyzes current factory floor configurations and plant designs. It then utilizes algorithms to provide customers with an interactive graphical design that will accommodate mixed-model, lean flow manufacturing practices.
- Supply Chain Modeling and Analysis CFM helps manufacturers achieve true lean flow practices by analyzing current supplier performance dynamics and the efficiency of the overall supply chain. Once the performance of each supplier is analyzed, modeling capabilities allow customers to quickly test the success likelihood of various lean flow scenarios and the viability of supplier support based on actual, historic performance. The system also links suppliers and customers directly to the manufacturer's current MRP system to create a unified communications platform for rapid demand-driven production.
- Demand Management CFM allows manufacturers to react quickly to changes in customer demand and manage the day-to-day functions of lean flow manufacturing. The software tracks incoming orders and formulates detailed resource requirements and production plans that are required to meet shifting manufacturing goals.
Pelion CFM software was designed to provide manufacturing professionals with powerful tools to successfully drive and sustain their lean initiatives, said Tom Plunkett, president and CEO of Pelion. A significant number of manufacturers have lean initiatives underway, yet few have achieved their desired goals. Now, we have demonstrable results from customers that show that our software enables fast time-to-benefit and provides manufacturers with an extremely attractive return on investment by providing a visual factory design modeler, automating material replenishment signals both internally and to the supplier base and ultimately, enabling the demand-driven manufacturing operation.
Pelion's CFM software provides the foundation for our lean flow initiative. We previously managed it through a long, tedious manual process that was difficult to maintain over time, said Dick Bredehoft, Vice President of Operations at Detector Electronics, a subsidiary of Kidde plc. Now, we have the flexibility to modify and enhance our manufacturing process on an ongoing basis. The software is extremely intuitive, easy to use and fast to implement.
