| Introduction - key technologies | | | | Scanning and Digitization: Scanning and Digitization of |
| The Internet as a tool has helped in process | | | | documents that come in for processing is one |
| improvement efforts, the Lean way. Lean techniques | | | | technological development that has assisted in faster |
| rely on process cycle efficiency (PCE) as a measure | | | | processing of critical information. |
| of process execution speed. PCE is calculated as | | | | These scanned documents can traverse geographical |
| amount of value added time from total elapsed time. | | | | boundaries, enabling employees at varied locations to |
| A Lean process will have a PCE of 25 or more. | | | | process and turn them around in the minimum possible |
| Improving PCE means a reduction in non-value added | | | | time. It also helps reduce the wasteful movement of |
| activities and their removal from the process. | | | | paper around the company. |
| PCE=Value Added Time/Total Elapsed Time | | | | Service Oriented Architectures (SOA): Some |
| Technologies like the Internet help bring in Lean | | | | up-to-date shipping companies are using technology in |
| process improvements. Some key technologies are | | | | coordination with their customers. They are allowing |
| listed below. | | | | their back- end software to be accessed by the |
| The Internet: Web-based applications are being | | | | software of other organizations, who have tied in with |
| developed by organizations to make Leaner | | | | them for their shipping activities. The SOA technology |
| processes. These portals are commonly used in order | | | | allows software systems from varied organizations to |
| processes, from placing orders to logistics. | | | | exchange information automatically without any human |
| Many organizations, such as banks, even have portals | | | | intervention - saving both time and money. |
| for their end users. For example, a customer can apply | | | | SOA enables reducing the time consuming exchange |
| for a credit card online and know their application | | | | of paper among organizations and eliminates |
| status in just a few seconds. | | | | redundant data. |
| Wireless Connectivity: Wireless technology has | | | | Online CRM systems and FAQ systems: Many |
| enabled many people such as Insurance industry claim | | | | organizations have online Customer Relationship |
| adjusters to enter information directly into a software | | | | Management (CRM) systems in place to allow end |
| program from any remote location, thanks to wi-fi | | | | users to get quick trouble shooting of their problems. |
| connectivity. | | | | There are also FAQ sections and online complaint |
| This decreases the amount of time wasted in the | | | | centers, which ensure that the customers get an |
| movement of documentation to processing | | | | immediate response and a solution to the problem that |
| destinations. | | | | they are facing. |
| Automated workflow systems: In production process, | | | | These systems are available 24 hours for people with |
| there is a relatively long cycle time as the components | | | | Internet connectivity - and they also respond quicker |
| like paper work tend to be stuck in queues at | | | | than telephonic complaints and queries. |
| workstations. Automated workflow systems have | | | | These key technologies have enabled Lean process |
| enabled the easy movement of critical items. | | | | improvement efforts to be successful to a large |
| Certain items that need immediate attention have | | | | extent. It has helped reduce paperwork and |
| alerts programmed in to cut down on long waiting | | | | unnecessary movements of components and thus |
| periods. This easily enables Lean process | | | | eliminated waste from the process. PCE is seen to |
| improvement. | | | | have improved manifold for organizations. |