Lean Manufacturing, Toyota Production System, Just-in-Time, and Demand Pull are manufacturing techniques that reduce work in process inventory. All of these techniques implement a method to reduce inventory with an outcome of reduced labor and machine utilization. When inventory is lowered, something must take its place or utilization will decrease. Flexible labor and machines are a substitute for inventory. MAST-SAIL Software provides a proven and unique approach to the management of flexible capacity.

MAST software provides the tool to target and maintain OEE in low inventory operation. It does this by: 

1. develop a flexibility plan using MAST  modeling software, 

2. allocate flexible capacity using ERP order for a daily schedule and download to controls,  

3. monitor the planned OEE vs. the actual OEE, 

4. track all material paths according to the quality plan.

 Modeling and simulation are essential to manage flexible capacity and MAST contain one of the most accurate and proven models of manufacturing.

The benefit of software is that it remains active in the factory operation continuously. Manual systems, Kanban signals, mentoring, Kaizen events, and training are occasional events. Between these events, the daily operation can vary depending on the priorities, skills, and objectives of the supervisors and operators. MAST software remains on the job continuously. It is constantly monitoring, tracking, and scheduling using algorithms and rules imbedded in the operation plan. The benefit of software is that it is always implementing and accessing the plan.

MAST  software applies to any operation where multiple part numbers share the same labor and machine capacity. The can range from fully automated machine cells, U-lines, to flexible labor assembly lines. MAST Software is suitable for any production volume: High volume, low volume and any volume in-between. MAST software works for a production mix with as few as 2 part numbers. The greater the number of part numbers, the more benefits MAST software provides. There is no limit to the number of part numbers sharing common capacity.

CMS Software has developed a software package, MAST, which is intended to forecast future factory operations and establish manufacturing cost per part that is used in return-on-investment project justification.

 Once the project is justified, CMS and its partner, Blackmaple Software,  offer software for the day-to-day operation including scheduling, order tracking, material serial numbering and tracking, OEE monitor, and quality audits.  See www.Seedtactics.com for more details