Electronic kanban

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Electronic kanban (sometimes referred to as eKanban[1]) is a signaling system that uses a mix of technology to trigger the movement of materials within a manufacturing or production facility. Electronic kanban differs from traditional kanban in that it uses technology to replace traditional elements such as kanban cards with barcodes and electronic messages.

A typical electronic kanban system will see inventory marked with barcodes which are scanned at various stages of the manufacturing process to signal usage, messages are then relayed to internal/external stores to ensure restocking of products.

Electronic kanban often uses the internet as a method of routing messages to external suppliers[2] and as a means to allow a real time view of inventory, via a portal, throughout the supply chain.

Organizations such as the Ford Motor Company[3] have used electronic kanban systems to improve processes.

Systems are now widespread from single solutions or bolt on modules to ERP systems.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Momentum, the midsize business center newsletter: Taking control of costs
  2. ↑ International Manufacturing Strategies: Context, Content and Change By Christopher A. Voss, Kathryn L. Blackmon, Per Lindberg ISBN 0-7923-8061-4
  3. ↑ Visual Tools: Collected Practices and Cases By Productivity Press ISBN 1-56327-331-4

Further reading

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