Electronic kanban
Electronic Kanban (sometimes referred to as eKanban[1]) is a signaling system that uses a mix of technology to trigger the movement of materials within a manufacturing or production facility. Electronic Kanban differs from traditional Kanban in that it uses technology to replace traditional elements such as Kanban cards with barcodes and electronic messages.
A typical electronic Kanban system will see inventory marked with barcodes which are scanned at various stages of the manufacturing process to signal usage, messages are then relayed to internal/external stores to ensure restocking of products.
Electronic Kanban often uses the internet as a method of routing messages to external suppliers [2] and as a means to allow a real time view of inventory, via a portal, throughout the supply chain.
Organizations such as the Ford Motor Company [3] have used Electronic Kanban systems to improve processes.
Systems are now widespread from single solutions or bolt on modules to ERP systems.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Momentum, the midsize business center newsletter: Taking control of costs
- ^ International Manufacturing Strategies: Context, Content and Change By Christopher A. Voss, Kathryn L. Blackmon, Per Lindberg ISBN 0792380614
- ^ Visual Tools: Collected Practices and Cases By Productivity Press ISBN 1563273314
