Providing the opportunity to re-introduce reality into computer scheduling

Why use a FlashBoard?

On the factory floor, change is a way of life. Communication is essential. Many decisions have to be made with several people involved. The best plans are made by the group when all information is taken into account. If the group prepares and/or modifies the plan, it becomes "our plan" not "their plan".

These "meetings" are happening now in your plant! It might only be a setter, a fitter and the supervisor talking together. They will make decisions that affect the plan and other people need to know.

With Flash! the changes can be quickly, accurately and economically scanned from the FlashBoard into the computer.

Stand Up Meetings

University studies in the USA show that stand-up meetings reach a conclusion in one-third the time of a normal "sit-down" meetings. US Military Logistics uses meeting rooms with no furniture. The FlashBoard supports and encourages stand up meetings.

What is Flash!

1. The FlashBoard

• a simple visual plan of resources and time available. Real and tactile.
• support for team planning.
• a quick stand up gathering at the FlashBoard instead of sitting around in endless meetings.

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3. The changes are scanned off the flashboard back onto the computer. (Photo)

Shift by shift factory floor operations in the real world are "below the radar" of high powered MRP and ERP computer systems.

There is just too much happening too quickly in the plant.. there is too much change.. people are called into meetings... tools break... trucks are late... the team has to keep the place running in any case.

Even if the software could handle every possible event, who is going to put in the data and wait for the result?

Real world short term plant operations are a team activity. The key players have to be involved in resolving the plan changes needed to cope with real world events.

This has to be done quickly- a group standing together. Computer displays big enough for group use are fragile and very expensive. The FlashBoard is economic and practical. It can be put up on the wall in a walkway... near a crib... in any convenient place where 2 or 3 people can stand together and discuss the plan.

The best of all worlds

The FlashBoard links the commitment of the group to the power of the computer.

An Australian Innovation

Flash! and the FlashBoard are included in Patent and Trademark Applications by Assured Systems.

Assured Systems

FlashBoards:

1.2m x 1.2m with 30 resource channels standard. Other sizes to order.