Automating Lean: Creating the Business Case and Choosing a Vendor Strategy

Table of Contents

• Table of Contents
• In This Study
• Situation Overview
  • Lean in Transition
    • From Manual to Automated Control Systems
    • From Manufacturing to Fulfillment
    • Specifying the Value Loops
    • Figure: A Lean Value Loop
    • Table: Key Elements of the Lean Value Loop
  • Creating the Business Case
    • The Impact of Variability
    • Table: Range of Benefits Resulting from Lean
    • Estimating the Benefits of Lean Automation
    • Figure: Lean Investment Payback Time Frame by Plant Revenue
    • Timing the Investment
    • Figure: Timing of Lean Automation Investment
  • Understanding the Solution Providers
  • Figure: Lean Automation Software Providers
    • Single-Factor Complexity Solutions Come from Established Markets
    • Dual-Factor Complexity Is the Domain of Lean Specialists
    • Table: Lean Specialist Vendors at a Glance
    • Traditional Enterprise Applications Cover a Broad Spectrum
• Essential Guidance
  • Synopsis