Here are eight ways EWIs are improving shop-floor operations and making manufacturers more effective:
Reduced downtime. Because communication is easier with an electronic routing and delivery system, less time is required to take maintenance actions or make engineering change orders (ECOs).
Stronger communication. A centralized document management system enables greater ability to share documents within the manufacturing environment, across facilities and between functional units. Stronger communication creates fewer errors.
Closed-loop manufacturing and quality processes. With a centralized platform, EWI/ECO content and data can be more easily shared with corrective and preventive action management and audit management processes.
Closed-loop manufacturing and engineering processes. With a centralized platform, EWI/ECO content and data can be more easily shared with the failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) processes.
Reduced waste/scrap. The ability to communicate and collaborate with engineering more effectively helps to improve first-time quality and reduce waste in the manufacturing environment.
Easier communication of regulatory changes. Because many industries face dynamic regulatory environments, EWIs help to quickly communicate changes required for shop-floor processes and validate that personnel have been made aware of the changes and are following them.
Faster new product introduction process. Streamlining communication and collaboration between manufacturing and engineering reduces the time required to develop, test and build new products.
Reduced risk and improved efficiency: With automatic notifications triggered for both shop-floor and engineering workers, the likelihood of a non-conformance or compliance issue is much lower.
For more information on EWIs and how they fit into the MOM platform, read LNS Research’s Manufacturing Operations Management Best Practices Guide. The comprehensive guide provides an overview of manufacturing operations software and technology, and how you can leverage it in your organization.
>> Mike Roberts is a Research Associate for LNS Research (www.lnsresearch.com) in the areas of EQMS, MOM, asset performance management, sustainability, and Industrial Automation 2.0.
