Super smart: in-line measurement of product quality. Instead of off-line product quality tests.
Why? Because you can immediately notice if the production process is not performing optimally: it allows you to timely adjust your production process, in order to prevent rejected batches and ensure product quality consistency.
So, is the introduction of in-line measurement always a no-brainer? I’d say yes, provided you take the right approach.
“Data – I mean the right data – is hard to find”. This observation comes from a Lean 6Sigma Manager in the Food Industry. He understands the value of CORRECT data. Indeed, it appears that food manufacturers often seem not to have the right data in place to solve production and quality issues.
However, a professional plant information system enables fact-based decision-making. Decisions about: What are the reasons for a Rejected batch? Can we improve quality? Can we increase output?
It’s easier to check the current temperature in Tokyo than the temperature trend of a production batch last week. An app notifies rain showers in ten minutes, but which app notifies that the production process needs adjustment to prevent off-spec? About the business case for smart use of data in factories.