through:
▪A monthly magazine always featuring a new technology
▪A central database available online to members
▪A variety of technical seminars given by industry experts, are offered frequently throughout the country
▪The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) that attracts the world’s leading manufacturers who use this show as an opportunity to introduce new technology
Distance Learning
The growth of distance learning as an employee-training tool in manufacturing has been remarkable. Distance learning is defined by the Distance Learning Network, a nationwide organization committed to advancing distance education, as the ability to teach or communicate with large or small groups of people, spread across a wide geographical area, through the use of single or multiple telecommunications services.
Distance-learning programs are becoming common in manufacturing. These programs are serving smaller companies as well as the needs of educational institutions. More traditional models, such as the use of video links between students and instructors, are expanding to include learning activities, including conferences, specific credit courses and more formal certification and degree programs using multiple institutions.
On-line training and distance learning reflect the creativity of American industry. But one of the most striking developments in the field of training has less to do with a particular kind of training than with the underlying philosophy. Increasingly, the norm is not merely a one-time refresher course but a process of lifelong learning. No longer can a worker learn a basic skill and use it all of his or her working life. Due to the increasingly fast pace of technological change, employees need training on a regular basis to stay current with the latest developments in their fields and to help their companies remain strong in the competitive international marketplace.
To continue growing, it is important to help employees develop new technological skills. It is also important to reduce the time employees spend away from work and ensure that our business grows. A Virtual Learning Center may help meet these goals.
Everyone has great creative potential, and possibly many have been frustrated in the past. The team approach creates an environment for great creativity. Everyone can come up with improvement suggestions.
For more information on MANAGING HUMAN RESOURCES see the Acknowledgement section for the Websites of an industry/organization listed.
INTERNET SOURCING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
(Steve Krar, Consultant – Kelmar Associates)
The world of manufacturing has undergone tremendous changes since the introduction of numerical control (NC) for machine tools in the late 1950s. In the past 40 years we have seen the introduction of CNC (computer numerical control) machining and turning centers, EDM (electro discharge machining), lasers, robots, and countless of other developments. These modern machines and processes increase productivity, produce high-quality goods, and lower manufacturing costs.
During the last two decades, manufacturing technology and especially advances in machine tools restored the competitive power of the United States as a world-class producer of durable goods.
MANUFACTURING COSTS
Every company must constantly work to improve product quality, increase productivity, and reduce manufacturing costs. This is a never-ending process and the manufacturing professional must apply the lessons learned through experience to develop practical solutions to keep ahead of the competition. To compete successfully, it is important to look at all phases of a manufacturing operation in order to reduce waste and lower costs. This involves departments such as product design and development, engineering, accounting, purchasing, manufacturing, and marketing.
SOURCING FOR GOODS AND SERVICES
One of the functions of a purchasing department is to provide the manufacturing operation with the raw materials, tools, and equipment required to produce a product. The critical elements in Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing has introduced many changes to the way purchasing departments operate. With JIT they are responsible for finding suppliers of the best quality goods and services, at the lowest price, and the reliable delivery of these as required.
High technology has brought tremendous changes to manufacturing operations, but until recently seemed to have bypassed the purchasing department. There are now a few companies that have developed computer-based technology that help a purchasing department quickly source its requirements with a wide variety of suppliers nationally and globally.
Those who recognize the tools of tomorrow and learn to use them today, assure themselves of a share in tomorrow’s prosperity.
The suppliers pay an annual fee for being listed while there is no cost for accessing this site for the purchasing department (buyer).
ManufacturingQuote, Inc.
ManufacturingQuote.com, the Web-based marketplace, is one of the leaders in the field that connects job shops with companies purchasing custom services. This easy-to-use, secure service is a Win/Win for both buyers and sellers looking to improve their bottom line, grow their business, and reduce the total bidding process to days. They are able to put the buyer in touch with a suitable supplier within the country or throughout the world. They provide web marketplaces for buying and selling custom, made-to-order, and engineered-to-order manufacturing goods and services.
Services Required
Customers at mfgquote.com do not need any special equipment or software other than a personal computer with Internet access and a modem. Even the smallest manufacturer or job shop usually has at least one computer, meaning that the initial setup to access the Web site is often very low or at no cost. Those who have used this service have found that it is fast and reduces the bidding process to days while saving money.
Two distinct business processes are addressed with the toolsets offered by ManufacturingQuote.com.
▪Buyers of manufacturing products and services receive value from the time they start their search to outsource goods and services to the point at which they decide to do business with the best supplier.
▪Suppliers optimize their sales and marketing efforts by automating traditional strategies in an online marketplace.
APPLICATION OF THE TECHNOLOGY
Both participants (buyer and supplier) in the marketplaces are in a Win/Win situation. The buyer has access to a much wider selection of suppliers in order to comparison shop for products and services. The supplier has the opportunity to expand their customer base for its products and services.
Buyer – The marketplace participant that desires to source and/or purchase manufacturing goods and services. A buyer posts Requests for Quotes (RFQs).
Buyer Advantage
ManufacturingQuote.com provides a solution to Buyers of custom manufacturing services
