One of the methods the plant uses to help it become so efficient involves the deployment of FactoryWidgets, a software package developed by Apex Software Development, a division of Apex Manufacturing Solutions in Boise, Idaho. The application is sold and supported by Software Toolbox in Charlotte, N.C. “Widgets” are simple, no-hassle and affordable mini-applications that display user-defined key performance indicators (KPIs) on desktop personal computers (PCs) without the need for thick client software or even an Internet browser.
Digging Through Data to find Manufacturing Intelligence
The right software can make all the difference. Just ask Chris Bacon, production manager at the Nampa, Idaho plant of Pepsi Bottling Ventures: “This new capability frees up at least an hour a day per person, which is equivalent to adding another person to the staff, free of charge—and that’s a wonderful initial return on investment,” he notes.
Sep 1st, 2011