JBA Engineering Change speeds the change management process in the electronics industry

JBA announced today its first @ctive Process for the global Electronics industry - `JBA Engineering Change`. The @ctive Process is part of JBA`s @ctive Enterprise Series.

Rapidly changing technology means electronic products have much shorter lifecycles. The effect of failing to implement an engineering change efficiently, effectively and comprehensively has serious repercussions throughout the supply chain - resulting in a delayed time to market and/or unfulfilled orders.

JBA Engineering Change is designed to speed up the requesting, decision-making, authorisation and notification of changes by automating the entire process. In turn, giving the supply chain earlier and more accurate notice of component changes.

The current change management process in most companies is paper and meeting based, a drawn-out process that eats-up executive time and is open to misinterpretation and erroneous implementation. Through JBA`s @ctive Process - proactive software that pushes tasks through an organisation - JBA Engineering Change offers sequential and immediate decision-making through a company`s IT system.

For example, an electronics company such as a PC manufacturer - which is constantly bringing new machines to market - can specify the exact components for a machine through Engineering Change. Using email and `to-do` lists, all those that need to input to the procedure of selecting and confirming component pieces can submit their contribution electronically.

Approval or referral is automatically engaged as `to-do` lists are updated according to pre-defined routes of authorisation. Automatic work processing is continued until the new product is signed-off by the final point of authorisation.

"The Electronics industry is one of the most demanding industries in the world. The pace of innovation, the demand for upgraded products, the incredibly short lead times and the constant downward pressure on retail prices puts huge pressure on suppliers - pressure increased through intense competition", says Bruckner de Villiers, Managing Director of JBA South Africa.

"By helping companies speed their own procedures, JBA is aiming to help enhance its customers` performance. That`s why JBA has turned its ERP system into a proactive system, and that is why JBA specialises in the mid-market and in certain industries - such as Electronics."