Easing Into E-Kanban

摘要

Traditional kanban systems give simple signals to suppliers that materials required to keep production lines running at optimum speeds have to be restocked. This usually means a pull approach to inventory control. The signal (i.e., posting a card, hoisting a flag, moving a bin) that supplies are needed at a production position triggers a delivery. At first, kanban did not involve computers, but as plants have become more dependent on electronically exchanged information both internally and externally, some have sought to integrate kanban into their e-business infrastructures. Despite the discomfort switching to e-kanban can cause at first, the move has the potential to increase visibility and decrease costs.