As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the commercial Internet, it seems that we are living in the golden age of innovation. When you read the newspapers and listen to global companies, as I do on a daily basis, innovation is back - a badge of honour that companies display proudly.
Everybody seems to be talking about it. But, the true innovators are the companies actually doing it. It`s a rare gem of a company that is able to bridge innovation, execution and results. But it is happening - just look around at Apple`s iPod, Rim`s Blackberry, TIVO, automotive GPS systems, MRI scans in hospitals, miracle drugs and medical devices from global pharmaceutical and medical manufacturers. These are innovations that are changing the way we live - simplifying our lives and making the world a better place.
To be innovative, first and foremost you have to be a "breakthrough business" - you have to change the accepted and the ordinary to deliver something unique and extraordinary. It`s definitely not easy. But companies like yours and mine are working really hard - day in and day out - to invent, produce, market and sell in innovative ways that differentiate us. You`ll find us working to stay ahead of the competition by better serving customers, giving them what they want, when they want it. We are also working to streamline and continuously improve our own operations, trimming inefficiencies and waste. And, we have to better collaborate with our business partners and suppliers to eliminate delays and improve communication.
The challenge of innovation resides in execution. It is hard enough to discover a new planet and chart a course to the stars; but it can be even more difficult to then build a rocket ship that defies gravity and gets you to an unexplored galaxy. Nonetheless, it can - and must - be done. To succeed in the new world of innovation, you have to get off the launching pad with force, velocity and speed. And in the end, success is determined by the results that are achieved.
An innovation that fails to produce results is not very innovative at all! So what does this all mean for global manufacturers like you? Globalisation, competitive pressures and the continuous requirement to reduce costs have many global manufacturers examining their businesses to determine how to better compete in the marketplace. Whether you are innovating production with new advanced manufacturing techniques, innovating how new products are brought to market or innovating customer service to foster better relationships, the most successful companies are not only re-thinking their businesses but also executing their ideas to achieve results in the marketplace, with their customers and at bottom line.
At QAD, we remain committed to spurring and stimulating customer innovation throughout the world-in whatever ways we can. We believe that our unique solutions enable and enhance operational innovation, which in turn delivers top-line growth and bottom line efficiencies for customers. We still rally around the battle cry of manufacturing innovation: "Six Weeks to Six Hours" that symbolises our belief that there is still a tremendous amount of waste in most supply chains that must be removed. If manufacturers around the world adopt a pull-based manufacturing model whereby supply is aligned with demand, the results will be tremendous for everyone involved. By adopting technologies in support of the pull-based model, QAD believes that the demand information that currently takes six weeks to flow through a typical supply chain can now be communicated in a matter of hours. And the result can be felt through the entire supply chain, and by customers alike.
So what can global manufacturers do today to launch into the process of innovation? Start with what you have. Innovations are best executed in small, bite-sized pieces that we call "incremental visions". The days of starting from scratch, ripping out and replacing existing business systems is over - the cost and complexity left many who tried this approach disappointed. QAD believes that it is possible to augment existing systems, and offers a wide range of rapid-to-implement modules that enable customers to deploy small innovations and achieve impactful results quickly. To get started, QAD Global Services` Q-Scan service offers site assessment of your current implementation. With Q-Scan, QAD can help you derive more value from your existing investments in QAD solutions, and identify areas where improvements are possible.
Adopt advanced manufacturing capabilities. With globalisation and continued pressure to reduce costs, adding state-of-the-art capabilities to your enterprise can help you stay ahead of the pack. Whether you adopt lean manufacturing principles within your own enterprise using QAD Lean Manufacturing, or implement a sequenced production model that enables you to deliver your customers customised products with a large number of options using QAD JIT/S, adding the advanced functionality to your existing systems brings innovative capabilities to the table that manufacturers can further leverage for competitive advantage.
Improve your customer relationships. Fostering stronger relationships with customers has far-reaching impact on their loyalty to you, and to your bottom line. Simplification is key. By streamlining customer-facing processes, not only can you improve your customer relationships, but you can also achieve cost-savings within your enterprise. Solutions such as QAD Customer Self Service can help by empowering customers to place and track their orders 24x7, while also delivering cost-savings and better inventory management within your own enterprise.
Improve collaboration with partners and suppliers. When contemplating cost-reductions, many manufacturers look to the supply chain for answers. Despite everyone`s best efforts, there is still a tremendous amount of waste in most supply chains - which explains why it takes six weeks for information to flow. Just as many companies are applying lean manufacturing principles to their own enterprises, leaning the supply chain is also possible. Advances in EDI and other communications, and visualisation tools such as QAD Supply Visualisation can help manufacturers quickly augment their systems to achieve new efficiencies and cost-reductions throughout the supply chain.
Stay ahead of the pack with education. To kick-start the innovation process, manufacturers must be educated on the latest manufacturing concepts, techniques and solutions. By staying current on the latest product features and enhancements, and learning new concepts, manufacturers can work smarter - getting the most from their investment in software and gaining knowledge that can help them identify and drive future innovations.
After 25 years of working with global manufacturers, I`ve discovered that most breakthrough businesses also have a corporate culture - managers and executives - who embrace and focus on the innovation ethic every single day. When you connect innovation and execution you get results that drive both your corporate reputation and your financials. And that usually leads to sustained success, a cherished metric for all companies.
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