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Modern, just-in-time and �lean� manufacturing principles place great stress on manufacturing managers. Previously, those managers were able to maintain large quantities of raw materials that they could use in manufacturing processes to create equally large inventories from regular production runs. These practices allowed businesses to fill product orders as they came in, but they also tied up significant amounts of cash and assets and reduced manufacturing company profitability.

Rather than creating large inventories of finished products that then sit in warehouses until orders come in, new manufacturing principles call for managers to create a regular trickle of finished products that go immediately to customers with little or no intermediate warehouse time. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) for manufacturing gives manufacturing managers the tools and information they need to track, measure, and monitor every step of a manufacturing cycle, from raw material order and delivery to shipment of a final product. In addition, managers can use ERP for manufacturing to:

• approve purchase orders electronically
• match supplier invoices with accepted purchase order receipts
• connect and coordinate the efforts of multiple manufacturing facilities
• forecast demand, and match production to anticipated demand from those forecasts
• track order status and fulfillment at all stages of a manufacturing cycle

Gamma Vacuum, a small Minnesota-based manufacturer of ion pumps, realized all of these benefits and more through the adoption of its own manufacturing ERP software. Gamma is a small business, yet it has captured more than one-third of the marketplace for its products through intelligent management of its manufacturing processes. Gamma specifically uses ERP for manufacturing to manage supply and distribution channels and to feed information back into its manufacturing facilities to allow the company to quickly respond to customer orders and changes in those orders.

Likewise, H&R Manufacturing, a Texas tool producer, uses ERP for manufacturing to stay competitive with international tool manufacturers. H&R collects data from its manufacturing floor in real-time to measure production time, and it then uses that data to set costs and pricing for its products. Its ERP manufacturing system gives managers a clear picture of order processing time and identifies manufacturing processes where time is used inefficiently or ineffectively.

Depending on its needs and the specifics of its manufacturing operations, a manufacturing company can adopt and install a number of different modules, all of which address different aspects of ERP for manufacturing, including:

• sales and distribution management
• purchasing management
• manufacturing planning and control
• quality assurance
• supply and inventory control
• machine and equipment maintenance
• human resources and manufacturing operator management

Effective use of any of these modules is a function of management�s ability to harness the information that a manufacturing ERP system will collect and generate. The auto parts supplier, Tribar Manufacturing, discovered this after the initial installation and implementation of an ERP system generated so much data both within and outside of the system that its personnel were unable to fully grasp and use all of the data that had been generated. Tribar rebooted its ERP installation and within a short time, realized cost savings of more than $350,000 from better control over its inventory.

Regardless of size, a manufacturing company can squeeze substantial profits out of its operations through better use and understanding of all of the data and information that manufacturing cycles routinely generate. ERP for manufacturing company can improve the operations of a manufacturing company by providing the tools and pathway that the company needs to gain that understanding.

Nobody has any doubt that London is arguably one of the best places in the UK to run a small business. With so many people living in the capital city it is only a matter of time before a business fully takes off and spreads its wings.

Having your business located in London has many benefits, not only when it comes to the number of people living there but also due to many other factors such as being able to access various facilities that are usually connected to bigger businesses. Having a good location in proximity to a well-known business can mean the world of opportunities for you as well such as getting to know the people behind those businesses and making valuable connections with them that might turn into something more valuable in the future.

If you are a start up you will be certainly looking for office space for start ups. You are definitely in luck here because London is full of such places and offers a very wide range of co-working spaces, served offices, hot desks, etc, the list here goes on and on. In other words, there is always something to choose from depending on what your business needs are.

When it comes to the location you choose it all boils down close to what sort of amenities and landmarks you will want to be. Usually, the more reputable office spaces are located closer to the city centre while more affordable options are located further away. Ad a start up you might want to start slowly and the gradually build up to bigger and netter offices while moving closer and closer to the city centre. You might want to start straight away in a good location if you are absolutely sure that your business is guaranteed to succeed. If this is not the case, being somewhere on the outskirts, at least for now, might be a good idea for you you will want to implement.

Ultimately, the choice where to have your office is yours. There are many attractive locations in London and I strongly recommend that you visit them before making up your mind what you really want. Very often, visiting a few locations should give you an idea what your real needs are and how to accommodate them.

Moving into a new house can bring a wave of mixed feelings. Maybe you�re leaving behind your beloved apartment or condo in the city. Or perhaps a job brought you across the country and you�re now focused on crafting a new life for yourself and your family. Owning a home is a huge accomplishment, and you should be proud to enjoy the fruits of your labors. After the initial rush of signing the papers, closing on a home, and making moving arrangements, you�ll cross the threshold and start to create new memories that center around your new space.

You may go through a period where you�re excited and grateful to work with a blank canvas that is your new dwelling, but also have the nagging feeling that it�s not quite home�yet. Here are five ways to make your new house feel like a proper home right off the bat:

Keep the Old, but Freshen Up

Some people fiercely hold onto old furnishings, appliances, and traditions like old friends. Others are overly eager to distinguish their new life from their old life and update everything at once. The Guardian suggests the healthiest way to make your home feel familiar yet novel is to mix old possessions with new ones. If possible, keep your investment sofa that has that perfect groove for napping. Bring along art, knickknacks, and furniture from your old home instead of rushing to the nearest home d�cor store and adopting a totally new look. The act of mixing will keep you grounded while still allowing you room to experiment and grow into your new digs.

Change Locks and Codes

In both a symbolic act of ownership and a savvy measure of safety, you should change locks and codes that allow entrance to your house. It�s practical, as realtors, previous owners, and others might still hold keys to your place. But it also puts you in charge. Whether you call a locksmith straight away or decide to handle the installation yourself, it will provide a positive sense of control. If the garage has a keypad, don�t forget to reprogram it to a code that�s unique to your family.

Take Full Ownership

Part of achieving a sense of possession is taking care of the legal and financial details to a T. Moving from one place to another is a highly transitional time, and it�s the best opportunity to check homeowners insurance rates and the level of coverage you actually need in your new area. Finding the right policy and speaking candidly with your carrier helps you rest assured that if something unexpected occurs, you�re covered. It will also help you get into a groove with paying bills on your new residence.

Stock Up on the Essentials

Nothing screams �I just moved in� like an empty refrigerator, bare-bones cabinets, and vacant closets. One Buzzfeed contributor reminds everyone to pick up the staples that you need to establish your routine, like milk, peanut butter, condiments, and more. The same goes for basic toiletries, cleaning supplies, and tools. If you brought them along from your previous place, make sure to unpack them as soon as possible to restore some normalcy and give you easy access. If you are starting fresh, then a trip to your favorite store with a checklist in hand might be in order.

Give It a Deep Clean

This one is self-explanatory. You can�t be sure how in-depth the previous residents went in cleaning, and it�s doubtful that your space will feel comforting until you�re confident it�s neat and orderly. Be prepared to conduct a deep clean before unpacking all your belongings. You can hire a cleaning service for a professional-grade scrub down, or round up your trusty supplies and spend a few hours going over surfaces, paying special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms.

You look forward to the day when your new house becomes your true home. Taking these five measures before, during, and right after your move can help expedite that process.

If your online business isn�t accepting credit cards and mobile payments just yet, you are missing out on thousands of potential transactions and customers already. Credit card payments are the most frequently used method of payment online. There was over $800 billion of revolving credit from the use of credit cards in 2015. That is a big market share to tap into, especially with studies by the Business Administration degree program of Rutgers Online revealing that customers are spending an average of $5,000 on their credit cards every month.

Accepting credit card and mobile payments is not as difficult as you think, even when you are running a relatively small business. PayPal, for example, now allows merchants to accept on-site mobile payments using a smartphone as a payment terminal. Other services are just as easy to integrate.

To find out more on how to get started with mobile payments, Credit Cards and Mobile Payments: What Your Business Needs to Know for Now and the Near Future, the infographic by http://online.rutgers.edu/ is the page to read.

Rutgers Online

Ecommerce plays by a different set of rules compared to brick-and-mortar businesses. While customer service is not new or in any way unique to ecommerce businesses, doing business online does call for updated rules and practices.

Many ecommerce businesses skimp on customer service or try to automate it away using software or bots. Other online ecommerce stores are making customer service an integral part of their brand and user experience. Great customer service can actually create more fans and buyers of your products online.

The best website builders for ecommerce such as Shopify have a lot of customer service elements built in or at least available to integrate. How you choose to use these tools to interact with your customers can either help your business or hurt it.

Here are some do�s and don�t�s to keep in mind when providing customer service for your ecommerce business:

Don�t: Have an invasive, annoying, pop-up chat box

Do: Make yourself available to help your customers

One of the latest trends in online customer service is to include a pop-up live chat box on your website. It�s popular because it provides a way for customers to contact you easily and resolve issues quickly over live chat.

However, as they�ve grown in popularity across the internet, many users have grown to find these chat boxes annoying and invasive. They often make noise and require a click to disable. For these reasons, chat boxes can often have the opposite intended effect.

If you are considering adding this feature to your website, please be considerate to your visitors and make it as discrete as possible. It should be there when your customers need it, but silent and out of the way when they don�t.

Don�t: Automate your customer service with bots

Do: Systematize your customer service to create efficiency

There are customer service tools and software on the market that essentially automate the entire process. While this may save you time and possibly staffing costs, it�s probably not the best way to serve your customers.

Have you ever experienced the frustration of trying to get a human on the phone when calling a customer service helpline? Using an automated service bot is the modern day online equivalent. While some questions or issues come up again and again, others are more unique and complex and require human attention.

Your customers deserve the best service you can provide. Always have real people respond to customer service inquiries. Use tools like Help Scout or other management systems for efficiency, but always have real people behind the wheel.

Don�t: Sound like a customer service robot

Do: Be human and have a voice

Since you�re not leaving your customer service to an actual robot, you shouldn�t sound like a robot when interacting with customers either. Many companies use pre-written responses and rigid, boring language when interacting with customers online. It�s not the worst business practice, but it certainly doesn�t lead to memorable experiences.

The best companies online have a unique voice and memorable brand. Not only is this great for customer service, but it�s also great for marketing. Customers will talk about brands they�ve had a good experience with. It�s OK to follow a template for customer service emails, but just make sure you fill it with content that shows some personality and caters the interaction to the individual.

The most important things to keep in mind for providing customer service online is to be timely and friendly. Customers expect quick responses to their questions. If you don�t get back to them, they will find a business that will. Make sure you are responding quickly to your customer inquiries and treating them like a friend. If you do, they�ll recommend you to their friends too.

Cranes and hoists can be critical pieces of material handling equipment in industries where the nature of the operation requires heavy items to be moved from one surface to another. Sometimes, the area into which the material must be moved is not accessible by forklifts. In other cases, the use of cranes simply makes for more efficient operations. At any rate, cranes are necessary pieces of equipment.

Using a crane is not as simple as installing it and forgetting about it. There are several things that must be done to ensure the safety of those working with or around them. There are also regulatory requirements that must be met.

Places like McDal Corporation can conduct crane installation nj in such a way that meets the initial requirements. They can also help with the periodic activities that must take place to remain compliant.

Cranes must be labeled with the lifting capacity. These labels must be clearly visible to all who will be using the crane. In addition, the crane must periodically load tested by a qualified person to ensure that it can safely handle the weight for which it is rated. After the crane passes the load test, it is labeled with the date on which the test was conducted. This makes it easier to tell when the next test is due. Typically, load tests are conducted annually.

There are also periodic inspections that must take place in order for the crane to be legally used. There must be a weekly check to ensure the controls are all working correctly and that there are no obvious operational issues. These checks should be documented on a checklist that is posted at the site of the crane.

Chains, slings and hooks are to be examined with each use. If there are signs of deterioration, the item must be taken out of service. Ideally, it should be destroyed to prevent an inadvertent use in the future. Likewise, hooks that are bent beyond their original shape are not to be used.

Operators who use cranes as part of their jobs must be properly trained. Many companies have certified trainers on their payroll. Others outsource the training to other companies. Which method is best depends on what works best for the company. If you have responsibility for operations in which cranes are used, you might want to have an audit conducted to make sure your cranes are in compliance.

Monica Y. Dee is an award winning African film producer. She is also a business woman and under the guise of rKive Productions which she set up, she is also the founder of the first touring web series film festival ‘UK Web Fest’ in the UK, a popular film club ‘Six Sixty’ and is also the creator and producer of the highly anticipated LGBT/BAME drama web series ‘Spectrum London.’ Her work encompasses smaller narrative projects as well as bigger ones producing film for corporate companies.

A former lawyer who was also a partner in the firm she set up, Monica is a true entrepreneur in every sense of the word. She has advised company heads, global business figures as well as the every day person in Immigration and property matters.

Monica has recently been invited to a well known film festival in America to screen her latest project, Spectrum London. A festival that does not normally screen web series works but who asked specifically to do so of Monica’s project which she sees as an honor.

Monica is the founder of another start up in online digital content streaming, when it is launched in 2017 she promises to come to back to us and tell us all about it.

Monica holds three degrees, an LLB (hons) and Pg Dip Law from the University of West London and an MA in Film from Staffordshire University.

http://www.rkiveproductions.co.uk

Online conferencing has done much more than simply providing a new way for businesses to hold meetings, it has played a huge part in transforming those businesses completely. Almost all industries and sectors have been affected by this trend by allowing employees to work from home, opening up connections with remote colleagues, and significantly cutting down on transport and equipment costs. If you are still unsure of whether it can work for your company, have a look at these four industries which have been revolutionized thanks to video meetings and how it could work for you too:

1. Healthcare

Pulone has reported how teleconferencing has greatly aided the healthcare field and made affordable healthcare more accessible in areas where it wasn�t before, and even allowed doctors to conference each other and share ideas. People in remote areas in particular can benefit from a video conference and diagnosis from their doctor. This is especially important for mental health therapy, as people living in isolated communities are much more likely to develop mental health issues with little to no support available to them. Many people with mental health disorders also find it difficult to leave their homes or feel too uncomfortable to visit a health centre. It can be particularly helpful for urgent treatment, such as suicide prevention. Physical illnesses can also benefit from this tele-diagnosis technique, cutting down on the amount of home visits a doctor has to make and freeing up their time a lot more. While physical diagnosis and treatment will always be essential, remote communication has aided both doctors and their patients immensely.

2. Government

ZDNet predicted that the government would be one of the areas which would be revolutionized by the IT revolution, and in many ways that prediction is already coming true. Video conferencing is an ideal way for government employees and departments to communicate and share sensitive information, perhaps even public safety information, as it is much more secure than a phone call or e-mail. Many recent news reports of major government officials, and even presidential candidates and major world leaders, having their private conversations hacked and leaked to the public have been cropping up over the past few years, making the need for secure communication all the more important. The wrong conversation leaked at the wrong time can ruin a politician�s career, and even their personal relationships. Not only that, but the day-to-day improvements that video conferencing brings helps regular civil servants do their jobs better too, and cuts down expenses (and taxes) for departments who have already felt their budgets becoming stretched.

3. Creative Industries

Artists and creative people have a reputation for working in isolation, becoming withdrawn, socially outcast, and strange as a result. It is true that while creative people are more likely to be introverted or prefer to work alone without distraction, online chats have opened up their channels of communication with other creatives a lot more, with numerous benefits. They can network with other creatives, attend or teach classes on their discipline, seek feedback on their work, collaborate on projects, or run a business to make a living out of their art. Hosting an online seminar, class, or launch event, for example, is a unique way to build an audience and spread a message. Even just keeping in touch with friends and colleagues during long, lonely hours of isolation can greatly boost the creative�s mood, allowing them to produce better quality work and improving their mental health. Video conferencing solutions for business such as BlueJeans have been a great tool for not only fostering creativity and bringing the creative community closer together but also allowing creatives to share their work with the world and generating an income from it.

4. Education

Every level of education from kindergarten to postgraduate has benefitted from video broadcasts in the classroom. It has also opened up new opportunities in adult education and hobbyist learning as well. Some classrooms, for instance, have held online chats with professionals in order to answer student�s questions and create a memorable lesson. Language students have connected with native speakers of the language they are learning in order to practise their skills on each other. Many people who didn�t have access to education before have found tutors online to help broaden their skills. This is especially important in remote communities, countries which still put some restrictions on access to education, or for people who can�t wouldn�t otherwise be able to afford classes.

These are just a few examples of sectors which have been aided by video conferencing in some way. There are many more who have felt the benefits, transformed their daily work operations, and reached more customers than was possible before. If you haven�t already, try it out for yourself and you will most likely feel the benefits in your office too, and you will never want to turn back.

In the global economy, enterprises are continually striving to innovate their business processes to not only keep up with but also move ahead in their market sector. Corporations need to ensure technology and talent thrive together, says Claudia Saran of KPMG. Today�s technology can help CEOs find and retain great global talent.

HR and Analytics

Data analysis can be helpful for recruiting, but it also can help the human resources department make better decisions about its current workforce.

Retention can be a major concern for corporations in competitive job markets such as information technology. The HR team can drill down into the data and find out what factors are affecting turnover rate, says Audrey Roth of HR Today. The numbers can show a clear picture of why a particular role is a problem or whether millennials really are hard to please.

By analyzing employee and position data, HR can determine who is stagnating and figure out why that is occurring. HR often seems to exist in a vacuum because the representatives hardly ever see the employees or managers except for exit interviews. Data may be the best tool available for HR to make asset allocation decisions.

Innovative Environment

Today�s corporate workforce wants to collaborate and innovate. Companies that foster a culture that drives and rewards disruptive innovation have a better than average chance of retaining talent.

If companies can speed up the decision-making process and implement consumer insights faster, employees will be able to see and measure results. Otherwise, they�ll be without waiting so long for a project to go live that they forget about it.

To better collaborate with global contingent workforce, firms should work to improve their video meeting solutions. The BlueJeans Network offers many opportunities to harness the power of the internet of things through interoperability and scalability.

Happy employees know what is expected up them and have regular feedback from their supervisor. An employee who has been given goals to innovate will be motivated. Feedback can increase motivation and keep the employee on track.

Outsourcing and Contracting

One of the biggest advantages of video conferencing is the ability to access talent offshore and remotely. Companies can save time, money and office space with remote workers.

Contracting talent instead of hiring full-time employees with benefits can help companies on many levels. Not only is there less commitment for the employer, the contractors don�t have to spend time on extraneous training. A six-month contract gives both parties a chance to get a measure of the situation and either continue or look for something else.

Keeping payroll cost low is important for large corporations but also for startups. The tendency is for startups to scale too quickly. Just because a small business raises a lot of cash to start operations does not mean the CEO should spend it all.

Milestone accomplishment should drive spending decisions. After a startup hits a milestone, it has leverage to acquire more funding. It�s idealistic to think the startup will make a profit in the first year.

Another great thing about video conferencing is the equipment can be inexpensive. All a startup needs is an internet connection, a computer and projector in a meeting space. The remote workers can use their laptops or cellphones to connect.

Avoid Recruiting Mistakes

Data mining to find candidates is a great start, but connecting with those people and keeping them interested is all about marketing.

The online application form should not be a two-hour gauntlet. There certainly should not be any redundant questions. After the candidate completes the form, he should receive something better than an automated response. Within 24 hours, he should definitely either receive a rejection or an invite for a phone interview.

Pre-employment tests for most positions are a waste of time. They do not improve hire quality, and they kind of insulting to the candidate. Asking a candidate to endure more than three interviews is ridiculous and makes the company look incompetent.

Instead of trying to find out what a candidate made at his last job and offering a slight increase, companies should know the correct market value of a position. Great candidates are not going to settle for a below-market salary just because the headquarters building has nap pods.

Perks are good for keeping up morale among current employees. Instead of trying to sound hip by using a buzzword such as �corporate culture,� introduce the candidate to a couple of people he will be working with if hired. Don�t do a team interview. Those can scare off candidates depending on their personality.

Stepping Up

As a company grows, should its employees. Regular training inside the organization that can help employees improve their performance and advance is an inexpensive way to help with retention and improve workforce quality. Companies have to commit to improving, if they want to attract and retain the best employees.

Scammers have a full-time job looking for more sophisticated ways to defraud you of your money or personal information. If it was not enough for them to troll social media sites and hacking zones, now some are pretending to be UKPC. Whether it is being scammed out of parking tickets or something else, these clever schemes manage to defraud millions of people each year. By combining new technology with old tactics, some people are falling victim to these attacks. However, you can protect yourself by becoming alert to these tricks. The following tips can help prevent you from becoming their next victim.Accept the Fact That Scammers ExistWhenever an uninvited contact is made with you, whether from a business or person, always consider it is possible that it is an attempt to scam you in some way. The connection could be made by mail, email, on a social media site or over the phone.Anything that sounds too good to be true is usually not true. Always know who you are dealing with in different situations. Research the business to determine its legitimacy, for example.Never Open Suspicious Emails or TextsDo not open any emails or texts that look suspicious. Never believe that an official government agency will contact you via email about money owed to you. If you are unsure of the source or origin of the message, verify the identity through a different independent source. A quick online search will either confirm it is real or confirm that others were victims of a scam.Keep Personal Information and Devices SecureAlways keep your personal information secure. Shred paper bills and other important documents that have some type of information about your finances. Be careful about the details you share on social media. Any person trolling sites know exactly what to pick up on when they are hunting for victims.Sometimes what seems innocuous to you is all a thief needs to hack into your life and create fake identities. Likewise, keep computers and mobile devices secure. Keep password protection on at all times and keep security software updated. Never use public Wi-Fi to access online banking.Additionally, choose passwords that are too difficult for others to guess, but not too hard for you to remember. Change passwords regularly. Stronger ones should have a mix of upper and lower case letter as well as symbols and numbers.Keeping your information secure may seem like a hassle. However, not letting your personal life into the hands of thieves is worth the effort.