Information location can be a time-consuming task. Without a central information library, the quality of information is difficult to determine. This article focusses on resolving information location problems using product standardisation and a central information library.
Finding the most current and comprehensive product information is essential to Sales, Engineering and Production. It is typical for the storage of information to be in numerous locations across many departments. Individuals are known to hold valuable data and information exists in several different types of media. Knowing that information is current and reliable is a challenge when there is no central depository or responsibility.
By working differently, companies can resolve information location problems. Quality information can be available to anyone authorised to access it with the certainty that the information is the most current.
Problems:
Searching for information can consume a great deal of time and can yield unreliable results. For new personnel, this is particularly difficult and can result in unnecessary errors. Maintaining information that is distributed widely across the company is difficult and is often inefficient. Losing valuable information can occur, and security is challenging to control. Searching for information provides a continuous drain on resources.
Solution:
Create a product standard information library. Ensuring that the standards are complete, accurate and contain all the data required by all stakeholders. Standard information can be maintained and easily secured. Therefore the information must be stored without duplication and in one place. Security ensures that documents and files can not be deleted or changed by unauthorised people or systems. Everyone who is authorised to receive the information gets easy access.
Information located in the standard information library is continuously improved. Information referenced from the library is current and reflects best practice. Be wary of standards becoming ‘this is the way we always do things’. The standard represents the ‘current best practice’ and continuously improved.
Advantages from different perspectives
Achieve shorter delivery times
Receive products and information faster with fewer errors.
Quality product information on demand
Maintain product information easily
Reduce sales support and product fulfilment costs
Reduce risk as fewer processes and transfers of information required
Fewer bottlenecks requiring management attention
Greater customer satisfaction as customers receives products faster with fewer errors.
Increased productivity as more work is possible
More profitability with the reduction of cost and risk, while improving productivity
Better cash-flow as delivery times shorter and final payments made on time
Reduce sales support and product fulfilment costs
Fewer bottlenecks requiring management attention
Increased productivity as more work is possible
More profitability with the reduction of cost and risk, while improving productivity
Increased customer satisfaction as customers receives products faster with fewer errors.
Quality product information on demand
Reduce sales support and product fulfilment costs
Achieve shorter delivery times
Reduce risk as fewer processes and transfers of information required
Fewer bottlenecks requiring management attention
Increased productivity as more work is possible
Less risk, fewer processes and transfers of information required
Fewer bottlenecks requiring management attention
Increased customer satisfaction as customers receives products faster with fewer errors.
Product design planned and managed without production requirements driving deadlines
Quality product information on demand
Less risk, fewer processes and transfers of information required
Fewer bottlenecks requiring management attention
Further help and assistance
Gatehouse Design are specialists in product standardisation, product configuration and design automation. We can help companies develop highly effective product strategies, maximising profitability, productivity and customer satisfaction. We can help provide a product information library and improve the efficiency of your business. Please contact us to discuss any product design related issues that you may have.
Peter Slee-Smith founded Gatehouse Design in 2012, a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with more than 30 years experience in industrial design. Peter qualified with a Masters Degree and has held senior positions in many leading engineering and product manufacturing companies. He is passionate about product design efficiency and has written many articles on the subject. Based in Littleport just outside Ely in Cambridgeshire, Gatehouse Design specialises in product standardisation, configuration and design automation.
