Blog
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Advanced Cybersecurity: How NIST 800-171 Compliance Raises the Bar for Data Protection
Cyberattacks are growing in frequency and sophistication, targeting organizations of every size and in every industry. For manufacturers that rely on digital systems to deliver products, support customers, and safeguard intellectual property, a single breach can trigger financial losses, downtime, and lasting damage to brand trust. As a result, cybersecurity has shifted from a back-office concern to a board-level priority. Choosing systems that
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Strategic Prioritization: The Manufacturing Leader’s Guide to Operational Excellence
Manufacturing organizations face an uncomfortable truth: having the capacity to produce something doesn’t mean you should. Every resource allocation decision—from accepting sales orders to scheduling production runs—directly impacts your bottom line. Without strategic prioritization driving these decisions, even the most sophisticated manufacturing operations can spiral into inefficiency, missed deadlines, and diminished profitability. Strategic prioritization extends far beyond simple task management or
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Efficiency vs. Productivity: Metrics that Matter…Until They Don’t
Measure efficiency and productivity against your REAL goal I keep seeing the word efficiency in manufacturing media. As someone who specializes in Constraints Management, this term is particularly vexing. It’s one of those words that I believe should be used with extreme caution. When we look at the organizations of today, words like efficiency and
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The Devastating Impact of Too Much WIP: How Excess Inventory Kills Manufacturing Flow
In manufacturing, WIP (Work in Progress or Work in Process) refers to partially finished goods that are at various stages of production but not yet completed. In accounting terms, WIP represents the value of raw materials, labor, and overhead that has been invested in unfinished product. Reducing WIP is a frequently cited goal for many
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Solving Wood Products Planning and Scheduling Challenges with Master Item Planner
Table of Contents Manufacturing wood products is not for the faint of heart. As if seasonal and economy-based demand variability weren’t enough, working with organic raw materials such as wood inherently leads to manufacturing process variability. Skilled workers and robust processes are needed to ensure sustainable operations despite thin margins in this highly competitive market.
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How APS Software Enhances ERP Systems
Table of Contents Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are often praised as all-in-one solutions for managing business processes. They digitize and automate workflows across an organization, offering a wide range of functionalities under one roof. However, when it comes to addressing the specific complexities of manufacturing—like finite capacity planning or managing labor resources—ERP systems can