Most leading manufacturing organizations utilize an MES (manufacturing execution system) of some kind. With an MES in place, manufacturers ultimately gain more control over the production process – from the initial purchasing of raw materials through the disbursement of finished goods. These software solutions allow for greater accuracy and timeliness of data reporting. Access to accurate, real-time information means leaders within the organization can make the most-informed critical decisions surrounding the production process.
Implementation of an MES has proved time and time again to have positive effects on both production efficiency and profitability. First, an MES reduces downtime by streamlining the scheduling process and accounting for variables like parts inventory. Less downtime means more revenue generation and greater profitability.
An MES can also help to reduce surplus inventory. Storage costs, inventory perishability, and the increased chance of damage all drive manufacturers’ desire to gain better control over inventory. Manufacturing execution systems record all inventory and its movement, both produced goods and the raw materials required to build them.
MES solutions significantly reduce waste and rework as well. Machine issues that go unnoticed lead to defective products and wasted raw materials. Identifying any problems early and proactively addressing them before they escalate means fewer impacted runs and far fewer products that either need to be reworked or scrapped completely. An MES constantly analyzes machine performance on production lines and can detect inconsistencies quickly. Doing so allows for less maintenance downtime and less waste.
Issues with Traditional MES Solutions for Small Manufacturers
Software creators often look for opportunities to make the most impact with the programs they put out. Because of this, many MES solutions are designed with larger manufacturing operations in mind. While these solutions work well for some companies, they often aren’t a fit for small to mid-sized manufacturers. The biggest reason why is because of their cost. These solutions are often designed to be implemented on shop floors with hundreds of machines, and their cost reflects that.
Another struggle smaller manufacturers face with traditional MES solutions is operational issues during implementation and as the organization begins to use the software. Many issues that do arise happen because of improper implementation processes – including incompatible hardware, installation errors, or lack of personnel training.
Jiff-Kit MES Solution: Designed for Small Scale Manufacturing
In contrast to most other MES software on the market, the Jiff-Kit MES Solution was designed specifically for small to mid-scale manufacturing operations. Implementation of the system is quick and simple. The software comes preloaded onto a mini-desktop, with all the hardware and software needed for implementation already in place. Thus, gaining shop floor control comes soon after.
Jiff-Kit can be implemented on up to 16 machines, with packages for 4 and 8 machines as well. This makes scaling up as an organization easy and that shop floor control isn’t lost by simply adding more machines to the production process. Manufacturers love the turn-key aspect of the software and its quick installation process and the included training for staff on the use of the system.
Features of the Jiff-Kit MES
Think of Jiff-Kit as an MES solution in a box. It may be small in size but it is powerful in its capabilities and functionality. It was created with small manufacturers in mind – to be installed and set up on-site by the manufacturers themselves. This saves smaller organizations the (often high) installation fees associated with other MES options. IMCO’s tiered pricing structure also allows manufacturers to choose a package that best fits their needs as of now, easily scalable in the future if more machines are added.
Jiff-Kit also offers all of the inventory and bookkeeping Integrations that CIMAG-MES does. It fully integrates with Fishbowl Inventory Management as well as Quickbooks. The combination of Jiff-Kit with these powerful integrations essentially provides manufacturers with the equivalent of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system without the large investment that a traditional ERP requires.
IMCO also offers two different hosting options for manufacturers looking to implement Jiff-Kit on their shop floor. Depending on the IT infrastructure within the organization, either local or cloud hosting might work best.
Jiff-Kit is incredibly easy to implement. In fact, “assembly” is as easy as three quick steps:
- Connect your machine(s) to Jiff-Kit
- Plug Jiff-Kit in
- Power on and gain full control of your shop floor
So, what exactly does full control mean? There are many aspects and steps involved in the production process. Jiff-Kit, like the original CIMAG-MES, provides small manufacturers with control over most of those aspects, including:
- Scheduling: planning production runs accurately based on demand, machine performance, and personnel availability.
- Quality Control: ensuring that finished products meet quality standards.
- Maintenance Management: effectively planning scheduled downtime for machine maintenance.
- Inventory Management: ensuring that inventory of both raw materials and finished goods remains at a cost-effective level.
- Traceability: easily identifying where, when, and how issues occur for a quick resolution.
- Reporting: providing accurate and timely reporting to all business units.
The more manufacturers know and understand about occurrences on the production floor, the better-informed their decisions affecting operations can be. Greater visibility and traceability means production issues are identified sooner and solved quicker – sometimes prevented entirely. Jiff-KIt brings the shop floor control that manufacturers strive for to even the smallest of operations. Its robust capabilities, easy installation, and affordability make it a great option for small to midsize organizations that might not need a full MES solution. If you are curious to learn more or see a demo of Jiff-Kit in action, we encourage you to reach out!