Visual Job

According to North America’s leading manufacturing journalist, Thomas R. Cutler (www.trcutlerinc.com), “Recent estimates suggest that more than a third of all metalworking and fabricating manufacturers engage in some type of lean-manufacturing initiative. There are many variables that drive the goal of waste elimination, none as keen as the need to be competitive in a global economy. As manufacturers implement these lean programs, they are bringing a key element of lean–kanban–into the fray in a seamless way: online.”

The February issue of Fabricating and Metalworking Magazine (www.fandmmag.com) in the “online exclusives” section includes a feature article regarding digital kanban featuring Datacraft Solutions. Cutler provided a detailed understanding of how digital kanban solutions are critical to an effective lean manufacturing initiative and provided a case study that featured Datacraft Solutions (www.datacraftsolutions.com). According to Matthew Marotta, Founder of Datacraft Solutions, “We do not charge for upgrades to the system as we learn about new best practices that clients ask us to incorporate. Before Datacraft incorporates the request, it is reviewed buy a lean advisory board to validate the value of the best practices and the value added impact upon our partner community. Once it is passed, they develop, test, and implement.”

With digital kanban, all production is now initiated based on the immediate needs of customers. Inventory turns for digital kanban parts are now at 62 turns per year. Time spent by customer service communicating on expedited parts issues has practically been eliminated. They estimated that customer-service staff was spending 40 percent of their time on just expediting part orders, as well as the chaos that this created on the shop floor. Sales have increased because the company no longer uses capacity to build parts without an order to buy now. One-hundred percent of production capacity is used to build parts that are already sold as soon as they hit the shipping dock.

The hosted solution provides the customer with their own set of servers which are maintained offsite by and outsourced set of administrators. All of the administration fees, equipment, support teams and software updates are all included in the monthly service fee which is less then the cost of hiring an internal system administrator. The value of an ASP is that manufacturers can buy “by the drink”, low risk, and a see a rapid ROI. Only internet access is required.

Datacraft Solutions www.datacraftsolutions.com Kelly Pryor 800-819-5326

Pro Form XP 542s Treadmill – A Good Value At Sears

The Pro Form xp 542s treadmill, like its partner the xp 542e, is part of the xp Series made exclusively for Sears.

There are two other models in the series, the xp800vf and the 590s, a larger model that might be a better choice for sports trainers.

All Proform models are in the economy class and sell for $1000, give-or-take a couple hundred, and Pro Form xp 542s treadmills are no exception at less than $800.

Icon Health and Fitness produces the Proform brand along with Weslo, Nordic Track, Image, Gold’s Gym and Healthrider.

Often criticized in treadmill reviews for using less-reliable overseas parts, they are also praised for offering full-featured fitness equipment at good value.

In the Pro -form brand they have produced treadmills of good value commonly rated Best Buys in a lower price range.

Pick Up The Pace. . . And The Treadmill

The Proform xp 542s and 542e are nearly identical. Both use a 2.75HP motor to push speeds of up to 10 MPH and have running surfaces of 18×55″ cushioned by Proform’s adjustable Pro Shox system.

The deck features powered incline.

Speed, distance, calories, and time are displayed, and workouts include both preset and optional iFit® interactive workouts designed by professional trainers.

Both models feature the Space Saver design found in nearly all Proform models allowing easier storage between uses, and for a more convenient session, a bottle holder and cooling fan are standard.

Icon warranties are something to be aware of going in. Motors are covered for 10 years, but everything else is covered for only 90 days, well below the industry standard.

Sears’ ‘Protective Agreements’, extended warranties, effectively, might be a good accessory on the xp 542s.

Sears also offers online purchase of its treadmill models, but to eliminate the two to three weeks delivery time, you can pick up your purchase at the local Sears store, depending on the model and local availability.

More information and reviews on leading treadmills can be found at Best Treadmill Guide