Improve Efficiency and Reduce Costs with Continuous Improvement

In this challenging economic climate increasing pressure is being put on manufacturers in all sectors to improve efficiency so as to remain competitive. The food processing industries are not exempt from these demands and in a bid to further develop systems to boost the bottom line, 'Innovation Software Consultants' is offering advice on how 'Continuous Improvement' can benefit businesses. In its latest white paper, Director, Stephen Mumby discusses the merits of this methodology and how introducing technology will reduce waste, save time and therefore cut costs to increase profits.

Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire (PRWeb UK) 2 July 2009 -- In this challenging economic climate increasing pressure is being put on manufacturers in all sectors to improve efficiency so as to remain competitive.

The food processing industries are not exempt from these demands and in a bid to further develop systems to boost the bottom line, 'Innovation Software Consultants' is offering advice on how 'Continuous Improvement' can benefit businesses.

In its latest white paper, Director, Stephen Mumby discusses the merits of this methodology and how introducing technology will reduce waste, save time and therefore cut costs to increase profits.

"Continuous Improvement (CI) is the process of continually evaluating processes and making improvements to their efficiency and effectiveness, particularly processes related to quality and productivity," explained Stephen. "For smaller businesses this means adopting a systematic approach - taking small incremental steps towards improving quality, productivity and the reduction of waste. It's an all encompassing project that requires the commitment and support of management, as well as the active participation of the entire workforce."

Stephen went on to explain that the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as well as the British Retail Consortium both support businesses working towards CI. In a recent report Defra stated …'Developing and spreading a best practice approach to continuous improvement for the industry, given its own peculiar environment, would probably be the most fruitful course of action that can be taken.'

"Core to building an environment of continuous improvement, is the adoption of efficient reviewing processes and then making improvements based on hard facts," added Stephen. "This starts with the collection of accurate processing data from the shop floor. Traditionally, this has been a manual task with details being recorded using a clipboard and pen - a system fraught with potential errors. Electronic data collection can overcome these inaccuracies, as information can then be stored in the system and makes analysis far simpler. Easy to install, fixed-point touch screens or rugged mobile computers offer flexibility and at an affordable cost."

One organisation who have seen the benefits of electronic data collection is Weetabix who adopted the use of the Tracesoft data capture system from Innovation Software in 2008 and have found it to be ''an excellent tool for continuous improvement, enabling us to fine tune our data capture requirements'' stated Jon Parry, Continuous Improvement Manager for, Weetabix .

To learn more about how electronic data capture can improve productivity, the white paper: 'Continuous Improvement - are you up to speed?' is available now.

For more information call 01472 500345 or visit www.tracesoft.co.uk

Notes to Editors
Innovation Software Consultants are an international software development company based in Grimsby, UK, specialising in 'business process analysis', software development and innovative hardware solutions. Innovation Software specialise in meeting the data capture and processing needs of local, national and international companies.

Tracesoft from Innovation Software is a highly configurable quality management solution that provides an unparalleled level of operational control. Designed with flexibility in mind it meets the requirements of forward thinking food manufacturing.

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