What Is Order Fulfillment? Process, Challenges, & Strategies to Improve It
Imagine a world where every order arrives perfectly packaged at your customer’s doorstep exactly when expected. This isn’t just a sign of good luck; it results from a finely-tuned process known as order fulfillment. Essential for businesses large and small, order fulfillment is the backbone of distribution operations, ensuring that customers receive their goods promptly […]
CAI Software and Print ePS, a division of eProductivity Software (ePS), Announce Strategic Merger to Drive Innovation in Manufacturing Software Solutions
LINCOLN, RI, OCTOBER 8, 2025 – CAI Software, a leading provider of manufacturing ERP and production software solutions for more than fifteen vertical markets, and Print ePS, a leading provider of manufacturing ERP and production software for the graphic communications industry, today announced that they have combined in a merger of equals. The merger brings […]
What Is a Gemba Walk? Purpose, Process, Examples, & How to Do It
Have you ever taken a Gemba walk? It is not the latest health trend, physically speaking. Rather, it is part of the lean management philosophy and is used across many industries to help businesses identify areas for continuous improvement. It doesn’t matter if you apply the Gemba walk to a shop floor, a warehouse, or […]
MES Upgrade: 10 Signs You Need to Replace Your Legacy MES System
In today’s fast-paced manufacturing environment, efficiency, accuracy, and agility are critical. A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) acts as the bridge between your enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and the shop floor, helping you monitor, control, and optimize production processes in real time. But MES technology doesn’t remain static. As your production needs evolve, the capabilities […]
What Is Material Requirements Planning (MRP)
In today’s competitive manufacturing world, delivering the right products on time and at the right cost is more challenging than ever. Customers expect fast turnaround, while supply chains face constant pressure from fluctuating raw material prices, global sourcing complexities, and shifting consumer demand. Without the right tools, manufacturers risk late deliveries, rising inventory costs, and […]
ERP & MES Integration: A Complete Guide
Manufacturers know that success depends on efficiency, accuracy, and agility. ERP systems manage business planning, while MES drives shop floor execution. On their own, they’re powerful—but together, they’re transformative. In this guide, we’ll explore what these systems do, why integration matters, and how to get the most out of connecting them. Understanding ERP and MES […]
Understanding Kaizen & Continuous Improvement in Lean Manufacturing
The history of Kaizen, or Kaizen Blitz, is well-documented. The inventor of Kaizen, Masaaki Imai, was a managerial theorist and consultant on the Toyota production system. In 1986, he wrote a book titled “Kaizen: The Key to Japan’s Competitive Success.” His book outlined his examination of manufacturing processes over a decades-long career. The word Kaizen […]
The Benefits of a Steel Tracking System: From Shop to Site
Why should you use a steel tracking system? Steel fabrications can consist of hundreds of assemblies and machined components. Steel manufacturers face field and in-house administrative challenges keeping track of these items. Along the production line, blind spots along can lead to quality issues or material waste. Also, lack of visibility can increase production time […]
What Is a Smart Factory? The Future of Manufacturing
These days, everything’s smart: smartphones, smart cars, smart homes, smartwatches, smart cat litter trays. The smart craze is justified by the results, as connecting key devices to the internet provides users with safer, more powerful, and easier-to-use tools. However, smart technology doesn’t merely apply to standalone devices. Through the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing, enterprises can […]
Operational Availability (OA): What It Is & How to Improve It
Keeping equipment running smoothly is at the heart of every successful operation. When downtime strikes, productivity and profits take a hit. That’s where operational availability (OA) comes in—a key metric that shows how reliably your systems are performing. By understanding OA, how it’s calculated, and the factors that influence it, you can take actionable steps […]