Manufacturing Tips: Boosting Efficiency and Productivity

Make to Order and Assemble to Order Manufacturing Workflows

Make-to-order (MTO) and assemble-to-order (ATO) are manufacturing workflows that use the pull system, meaning that production starts when an order comes in. As such, they are mostly used by companies that manufacture customizable products. In this post, we go over their differences, pros and cons, and production management considerations.

By Mattias Turovski 7 min read

InventoryManufacturing TipsSupply Chain

What Is Pipeline Inventory?

Pipeline inventory consists of goods that a company has ordered but which have not yet arrived in the facility. Managing this type of inventory can help schedule production or shipments in advance, reduce standing inventory levels, and avoid stock-outs.

By Mattias Turovski 8 min read

Manufacturing Tips

Quality Control in Manufacturing – An Introduction

Quality control is the process of fulfilling and checking the conformance to quality standards. There are many different approaches to quality control, but an important part of every one of these is regular inspection of the goods. Besides dedicated QMS software, some ERP/MRP systems offer the required functionality to small businesses.

By Madis Kuuse 7 min read

AccountingInventoryManufacturing Tips

Inventory Valuation Methods – Finding the Right Approach

For the financial departments of manufacturing companies, few things are as important as inventory valuation. Due to the effect on the gross profit of a company, choosing the right inventory valuation method is a crucial step in ensuring the financial health of your company.

By Mattias Turovski 10 min read

InventoryManufacturing Tips

Inventory Optimization Methods and Techniques

Inventory optimization is the act of balancing inventory costs, service levels, and the complexity of inventory management. While there is no single magical solution for keeping your stock optimized, different methods and techniques are brought together in ERP/MRP systems.

By Madis Kuuse 7 min read

InventoryManufacturing TipsSupply Chain

What Is Decoupling Inventory?

Decoupling inventory is the strategic buffer stock of subassemblies and WIP that could be used when suppliers are unavailable, when there are internal disruptions like machinery breakdown, or when demand is greater than expected. It allows companies to prevent all-around stoppages and mitigate the bullwhip effect.

By Madis Kuuse 7 min read

Choosing a SoftwareInventoryManufacturing Tips

WooCommerce Inventory Management Basics for SMEs

While e-commerce is growing at a break-neck pace, companies are looking for better inventory management solutions than what e-commerce platforms are offering in their basic packages. WooCommerce is one platform that is continuously expanding its selection of third-party extensions.

By Madis Kuuse 8 min read

Choosing a SoftwareInventoryManufacturing TipsNews

QuickBooks Commerce (TradeGecko) Sunset and What You Can Do

Intuit has announced that they will be retiring their inventory management system QuickBooks Commerce (previously known as TradeGecko) in June 2022. Here is what will happen and what the options are for their current user base.

By Madis Kuuse 5 min read

InventoryManufacturing TipsSupply Chain

How to Keep Perfect Batch Records?

Batch records are documents that detail the journey of raw materials becoming batches of finished goods. Even though the term is mostly associated with process manufacturing, especially the pharma industry, every company that manufactures its products in batches or series can benefit from keeping batch records. Here is how to do it.

By Madis Kuuse 7 min read