Mike on Manufacturing

Manufacturing Software Packages for Small Business

By Mike Hart

Here is a link to the latest iteration of my manufacturing software directory, which provides links to websites for all the software packages I know of that are potential candidates for use by small businesses. 

Manufacturing Software Directory

All these software packages are advanced manufacturing systems, meaning that they include work centers and routings instead of just the bills of material offered by light manufacturing systems such as QuickBooks or Peachtree.  Light manufacturing systems emphasize inventory, but ignore job scheduling and shop floor control and therefore limit your efficiency potential. 

Beware of the Technology Freak!

By Mike Hart 

Anyone who runs a small manufacturing business is wise to learn how to recognize a technology freak and avoid any involvement with that person.
 
What is a technology freak?  It’s a person who falls in love with technology for its own sake.  It’s a person of mediocre ability who knows just enough about technology to impress non-technical people with his supposed expertise. 

The Employee’s Self Interest Is Not Always in Your Best Interest

By Mike Hart 

If you have a small manufacturing business and you are considering the implementation of a manufacturing software package, be aware that the new software can be a source of anxiety for veteran employees because it threatens their job security. 

The shop foreman who knows your products inside and out, but holds all that knowledge in his head, doesn’t want to transfer that knowledge into a database so that anyone who can read a job traveler can function without him. 

Manufacturing Software Efficiency Requires a “No-Slop” Culture

 

By Mike Hart

 

If you have a small manufacturing business and you wish to boost your efficiency using a manufacturing software package, you have no chance of success unless you adopt a “no-slop” culture among your users. 

 

My company, DBA Software Inc., has been a developer of manufacturing software for small businesses since 1992.  Over the years we have seen many companies achieve dramatic efficiency gains, while others fail to get results or give up on the software altogether.