Thin client computing is one of the options businesses have when upgrading their desktop computers. If you are unfamiliar with the term, thin client computing is where basic computer terminals rely mostly on another computer – a server – to perform their tasks. Thin clients are connected through a network to a server where most of the processing occurs. Because it has no hard drive, a thin client terminal can’t operate without being connected to the server, unlike a thick client where the computer does the processing. (more…)
Processes
Our Top 10 Cash Flow Tips
1. Know your business’ balance sheet thoroughly. This may sound obvious, but, as your accountant can confirm, many business people don’t know how cash flow works and its significance to keeping their operation afloat. (more…)
For The Record – The Importance Of Record Keeping To Your Business
Behind every successful small business story there’s a lot of hard work and, yes, administrative effort. To really make your business prosper, brilliant ideas are only half the answer – you also need to ensure that your company is solid from the ground up. One way of establishing a solid business base is through good record keeping. While this may not be entrepreneurship’s most glamorous aspect it is nonetheless a prerequisite to consistently good results. (more…)
Underlying Causes of Productivity Problems
Productivity problems often creep into the business over a period of time and often businesses don’t realize just how extensive they have become. Here are six common causes for productivity problems. (more…)
Activity-Based Analysis, A Case Study
Activity-based costing (ABC), or activity-based management (ABM), can be a powerful business tool for manufacturers. Activity-based analysis can help determine which products or operations are profitable, identify overlooked pricing opportunities, or explain why certain products can’t be priced competitively in the marketplace. (more…)
Bar Coding for Manufacturers
Although bar coding has been around for a number of years, it has been used with only mixed success in the manufacturing industry. However, a number of recent trends have caused many manufacturers to give bar coding serious consideration. (more…)
Bench Marking for Manufacturers
Many manufacturers think benchmarking is for big or troubled companies. But no manufacturer, regardless of size and performance, can afford to ignore it. In today’s rapidly changing business environment, it’s hard to keep up with your competitors-and benchmarking allows manufacturers to compare their productivity and efficiency to other businesses. (more…)
Cellular Layout-Focused Factory, Planning is Critical to Success
“Cellular manufacturing” can be defined as the formation of independent groups of functionally dissimilar machines or workstation types, located together on the shop floor, dedicated to the manufacture of a family of similar parts or products. This approach is in direct contrast to the traditional “functional” layout of a shop floor, where machines are grouped together by type and parts are moved by the pallet-load from one type of machine to the next. In a cellular layout, machines are grouped according to the parts they produce. (more…)
Controlling the System Selection Process
When acquiring a new computer system, many organizations fail to control the process, from definition of requirements through negotiation and implementation. There is a psychology to dealing with systems vendors that buyers should observe to obtain the best system for their needs at the lowest cost. (more…)
Driving Change Through Performance Measurement
Former Hewlett Packard chief executive John Young once said, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure” Indeed, how can you know whether you’ve reached your business goals if you don’t measure your criteria for success? (more…)
