Manufacturers increasingly take the ‘soft’ option

Manufacturing companies are looking towards 'soft' technologies, or best practices implementation, rather than 'hard' technologies such as machinery or software, to improve performance.

QMI Solutions Consulting Services Manager Glenn Seaby said manufacturers traditionally looked towards investing in 'hard' technologies such as new machines or software upgrades to improve performance, however many companies now realise that it is vital to get the 'soft' things right first.

"Shiny new machines have always received more attention for capital investment than improved practices - perhaps it's because of the tangibility, the fact you can have your photo taken beside it," Seaby said.

"A great analogy to explain the benefits of 'hard' and 'soft' technologies is a yacht race. The latest high-tech, lightweight yacht made of space age composite materials may be state-of-the-art, but if it lacks a competent crew working together, it cannot hope to win. However, a yacht with a world class crew has a great chance of being competitive, even without the latest technologies, and will certainly sail at its optimum capacity."

"It is the same in manufacturing. Everyone from the 'captain' to the 'deckhands' needs to clearly know which practices will drive their performance, ultimately contributing to the overall success of the organisation."

Seaby said in order to understand how well a company is doing at the 'soft' technologies, there are two key questions: Which practices are vital to success? and, How well are we doing at those things.

"The answers to these questions identify which practices will drive the company's performance. It also highlights which practices need to be improved in order to enhance performance. These are vital steps that a company needs to take on the path to becoming a world class manufacturer."