Accidents in the Industrial Environment (Infographic)

The Beauty of Automated Material Handling Equipment

Wouldn't it be awesome if automated equipment looked like R2-D2? 

Most people know that assembly lines are a manufacturing process that involves an unfinished product moving through a series of stations, and that at each station new parts are added until the product has been completed. This is generally known because assembly lines have been in use — in one form or another — for over 200 years. But there is a key aspect of modern assembly line production that many people never really think about: material handling.

Modern assembly lines require an intricate dance of coordination and precision to ensure that the right materials are in the right place at the right time so that production can be completed quickly and efficiently. Without proper material handling, production slows or even comes to a standstill, and that’s bad for business. That’s why facilities invest in a wide range of Material Handling Equipment: to make sure that the workers in each station have the raw materials or kitted parts they need to do their job.

Lineside material handling is at least as important as the conveyance of in-progress products from station to station, so let’s take a quick look at some of the material handling equipment that is used in assembly lines today.

Manually Operated Carts

More and more often, the material handling sector is moving toward automation, but there are still many operations that choose to utilize manual solutions in various aspects of their production. One reason for this is because manually operated material handling carts can help create a lean production operation. They are cheaper than their automated counterparts, and provide simpler solutions.

Because every production operation is different, there are hundreds of standard material handling carts available, including carts with pop-up shelves, rotating shelves, and rollers. But the real strength of these manually operated carts is their flexibility and the ability to customize your system for a relatively low cost.

Image via FlexQube

Tugger Cart Systems

The easiest way to understand a tugger cart system is to think of it as a small train designed to move materials within a production environment. Tuggers, like train engines, provide the power to move a series of carts that have been hooked together. Depending on your needs, a tugger can be manned or unmanned, and work with either powered or non-powered carts. They are typically used in place of single load deliveries that had previously been made using forklifts, helping to create forklift-free environments.

Automatic Guided Carts (AGCs)

Unmanned tugger systems fall under the heading of Automatic Guided Carts (AGCs). AGCs are very popular for assembly line use because they can help automate the material handling process without sacrificing flexibility. Their paths are usually determined by the placement of magnetic tape on the floor, and can be easily changed when the need arises. These systems are easy to implement and can be scaled to meet many different material handling needs.

Image via Prezi.com

Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

Automated Guided Vehicles are more expensive than AGCs, but they frequently have more sophisticated guidance systems — including inertially guided, laser guided, and vision guided — and they tend to have higher carrying capacities as well. AGVs are typically used in more advanced production settings and can help lower labor costs when compared to traditional forklift systems.

Autonomous Mobile Robots

AGCs and AGVs are great for repetitive assembly line applications, as they are generally designed and programmed to travel from point A to point B along a fixed path. Autonomous Mobile Robots, on the other hand, are more versatile because they can independently navigate and maneuver around both moving and stationary objects as they move from one designated position to another. These robots have the ability to move through large, fast-moving production facilities. While expensive, this type of material handling solution allows a facility to take advantage of the benefits of a dynamic layout like optimized productivity and space efficiency.

By increasing performance, modern material handling systems are designed to help improve assembly line workflow and production time. This results in leaner, more efficient production facilities that can produce more products in the same amount of time. As time marches onward, it’s interesting to think that assembly lines will continue to evolve to meet new and interesting production demands. What do you think the future of production looks like?

Microsoft Dynamics SL Training is Key to ERP Implementation

via SoftwareAdvice.com

 Microsoft Dynamics SL training is the key to implementing a successful ERP system. The benefits of Dynamics SL include better sales performance, inventory accuracy and on-time delivery. Having a commitment to training has been proven to lead to success with ERP system and selecting the best ERP software. How can your organization be successful with Dynamics SL training? Below are four ways to train for success:

1. Choose an experienced trainer within your company and limit training groups to no more than 5 people. Training should not be done to far in advance and users should keep training a few days after going live. Make sure to help workers who feel uneasy around computers.

2. The trainer should understand their audience. Have they had experience with ERP software before and can they help with other employees learning the new system. Start the training sessions with terminology and show them how to navigate the system. The system has helpful user icons to help with the learning.

3. If no trainer is available, use the Dynamics SL training manuals. Every module has a training manual, just click on the help icon and it can be printed out. There are also recorded learning sessions available from Microsoft.

4. Having a Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner is the key to getting the most effective training. With the experience and reputation of a GP Partner, your ERP implementation will be a success. Knowing all about the system and the new upgrades will ensure your company gets the best return on investment. The partner will make sure the implementation goes smooth and you won't have to rely on a trainer without much experience 

The Benefits of Dynamics 365 on Azure for Businesses

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Dynamics 365 is a product designed for multi-tenant public cloud service on Microsoft Azure. The term “multi-tenancy” refers to a software that runs on a server and serves multiple tenants (or groups of users who share access with privileges to the software). This makes it much easier for small and medium sized businesses to get off the ground while they manage cost.

The major benefits of Dynamics 365 on Azure are access to all of your information in one place utilizing a browser or mobile app, full integration with office 365 so that accessing emails, word processing and spreadsheets smooths out operations in order to stay as efficient as possible, keep all of your expenses under control by scaling your business, built-in intelligence/metrics tools that are readily available.

What really stands out about Dynamics 365, is that it allows small, medium and large companies to utilize business software that assists them with customer relations and administration. It comes with a multitude of management tools, making it simple to purchase what apps you need depending on your business.

Dynamics 365 makes it possible for you to have loads of technology stored within the cloud, providing your business with the perfect tools for growth and success.

If you’re curious about utilizing this software, make sure that you contact a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for any support services or questions.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 will include Power BI and Cortana Intelligence

One of the many reasons SMBs invest in ERP and CRM software is to increase their productivity and create more opportunity for customer engagement. In short, owners are looking for a ROI from these business process tools. Read More...

Someone Tried to Break Into My Home… And I chased Him Down

Image via Howtolucid

Have you ever had one of those moments where in hindsight, you realize you made a very, very stupid decision? That happened not too long ago for my husband and I after we chased the guy down who had broken into our apartment before. How would we know? We have a home security system, and very sensitive security cameras that pick up on just about everything.

Let me do a little rewinding. One day, my husband and I left the home to grab a bite to eat, and he forgot to lock the door (which is very much him). Our dog, a 120 pound Rottweiler, stayed home and waited for us by the door. Fast forward 30 minutes, and a short man with a gray hoodie pulled up and over his head walked up to our door and looked around. He waited several minutes, standing there awkwardly, and then started to open the door.

Our dog met him at the door immediately, barking, and the perpetrator ran away. We came home and were immediately alarmed that our door was open, but there was our dog, happy and excited that we were home. After closing the door and looking over our footage, we watched the entire scene unfold. A wave of nausea and fear filled me. This guy had brazenly attempted to break into our apartment- and during the day!

You’d think that the run-in with our dog would have scared him enough, but guess what? He came back. Two. More. Times. The second time, he entered the apartment building and checked our neighbor’s apartments. He then lit several cigarettes and stood near the trash can at the end of the hall. After checking whether doors were locked or not (that’s at least what he appeared to be doing), he skulked around to the back of the building.

When we returned to the apartments, we opened the hallway door and the smell of cigarettes filled the air. Just then, he rushed forward and past us, running down the sidewalk until he disappeared from site. His eyes were large and wild, his dark skin looked thin and tight on his bones, and his clothes appeared worn out, possibly handmedowns.

“What the hell?” We both were shocked by the encounter, and even more so that he’d returned. We were sure it was him, as he was wearing the same backpack and the same hoodie. Our apartment building only housed 5 apartments, and we knew each of our neighbors. He wasn’t one of them. When we showed the footage to our neighbors, they didn’t know him either. Reports of items and cars being stolen from our neighborhood had already started before we’d seen him. We were all spooked.  We called our property management who then called police dispatch, but unfortunately there wasn’t much they could do other than take our account of what happened.

One month later, we caught the same man attempting to break in. This time the building security system was ready for him, and we had a new electric lock on the door that opened up to our hallway. As soon as he saw us, he took off. Truthfully, I was so ticked that this guy had been doing this, that I ran upstairs, grabbed my dog and we gave chase. The guy hid in someone’s backyard near the alley, but we cornered him and demanded to know why he kept breaking into our building (please don’t ever do what we did- it was completely stupid and dangerous).

The guy was shaking and spoke extremely broken English. He stuttered that he’d wanted to “use our laundry”. Yeaaaah… Laundry, huh?

I pulled out my phone and dialed the police. He jumped at the opportunity and ran into a building. Eventually, when we showed the police the building he’d gone into, he was nowhere to be found (in all likelihood, he probably left out of the backdoor).

We never did see him again. They always say third time’s the charm.

That situation really opened our eyes to the reality of crime and how easy it can be for a criminal to prey on everyday citizens.

Here are 8 benefits of a security system.  

 

5 Reasons Your Business Needs a Security System

One of the biggest misconceptions business owners have about security systems is that they are only useful for protecting property. The truth is, there are many was having security for your business ranging from your property to your employees. A comprehensive security system can give you all the elements you need to completely protect your business.

Track People In Your Building

A card access system is going to help you to keep non-employees out of your building, while an intrusion detection system will let you know if anyone is trying to bypass your card access process by breaking your windows. With these two systems in place, your employees can feel safe and comfortable while doing their jobs.

Many intrusion systems can alert you of a break-in or other issue by sending you an urgent text to your smartphone. This means that you will always be in touch with your business, even when you and your employees have gone home for the night.

Get Accurate Video Footage Of Incidents On Your Property

A video surveillance system is not only going to help you to catch criminals who try to break into your facility, but it can also protect your company from liability in the event something happens on your property. For example, if a customer tries to say that they slipped and fell in your parking lot on ice you were responsible for getting rid of, your surveillance could show how the customer staged the whole thing.

Video surveillance systems are also good for helping your employees feel safer when they have to go into the parking lot at night. A good video system can keep track of delivery trucks as they visit your office, and they can also help you to reduce employee theft by allowing you to monitor areas where your employees frequently go.

Increase Employee Productivity

A good security system can have a significant positive effect on your employees. When employees see your company security system in action, they will feel more secure while they are in the building. That added feeling of security will enhance productivity and strengthen morale, enhancing the emotional bond with employees by demonstrating the company cares about their well-being. That positive feeling translates into stronger employee dedication.

Enhance Your Professional Reputation

When clients and vendors see that your company has invested in a comprehensive security system, it will enhance the professional presence of an organization that covers all of its bases. For vendors, that means that deliveries are secure and that your company takes its responsibilities seriously. For clients, a security system shows that your company invests in the kinds of systems and processes necessary to get the job done.

Lower The Cost Of Doing Business

A good security system is an investment in the safety and security of your entire company. It is also an investment that can pay for itself over time. Many insurance companies offer discounts in insurance premiums to companies that put the necessary resources into protecting their property. Before you have your security system installed, you should discuss your idea with your insurance carrier and see what kinds of discounts your company can get in its business insurance.

An essential part of any successful business, a good security system can help to maintain employee loyalty, impress potential clients, and protect your business.