The Kinnosa Solution. First Trace has
developed Task and Process Management, powered by
Kinnosa Workflow, to specifically address the process management issues faced by
organizations. When most engineers hear "workflow" many will simply infer "approve and release"
where documents just float around the office circle. However,
Kinnosa Workflow is a
complete task and
process management solution that does so much more. The business activity engine automates
business processes, data management and employee tasks. This solution is much more flexible and far
less intrusive than other workflow systems on the market.
The
Kinnosa Workflow engine allows you to manage the entire design process. Workflows can
bundle part documents so that changes to one part can automatically be updated across all
related documents. Workflows can also be used to recycle information, allowing engineers to
reuse their designs and templates in future manufacturing plans. Task and Process Management, powered by
Kinnosa Workflow, can help companies
capitalize on their past experiences – and their mistakes, to help them achieve Lean Design
and Design for Six Sigma (DFSS).
Task and Process Management, like all
Kinnosa solutions, is an open application that is not limited
to one data repository. This is where most workflow, process management, and task and
activity management solutions fall short. Their lack of integration is restrictive to
compatibility with other programs.
Kinnosa solutions have built-in connectors that allow
them to access data in different repositories, even with competitive document management and
workflow solutions.
Concurrent engineering is a comprehensive and systematic approach to the design of products
and their related manufacturing processes and includes quality, cost, schedules, and
requirements. Task collaboration is an essential element of concurrent engineering,
involving teams of individuals and in many instances, multiple organizations. Task and Process
Management addresses both aspects required for effective concurrent engineering –
management of content and coordination of work.
Kinnosa Workflow supports content management
in files systems and proprietary vaults like PDMWorks and coordinates tasks among
workflow teams. Unlike other workflow solutions,
Kinnosa Workflow uses a unique anticipating
event model, allowing workflow participants to see upcoming tasks and start working
on their tasks before the workflow advances the work to them.
Kinnosa Workflow includes a powerful process design tool that enables you to create,
test, and deploy automated business processes without writing any program code.
Create activities that represent both actions and tasks. Actions can be automated
using task services, or simply describe the task to be performed and assign it to
a user or group.
Why Is It Important? Kinnosa Workflow
allows users to access different data repositories effortlessly. Users can move from active
repositories to archive repositories to re-use existing templates or designs. This saves
considerable time as process efficiencies and replication can be identified and capitalized
on.
Many CAD vendors bundle workflow solutions with their flagship products. However these
workflow solutions are often built on proprietary data repositories that are not compatible
with other programs. This creates a major disadvantage for the organization. Even though
users are capable of storing non-engineering documents in these data repositories, users
must use the same application´s interface to access the data. Non-engineers that are not
familiar with the CAD software are unable to access the data in an efficient manner.
Kinnosa Workflow´s task activity engine provides employees with a "bigger picture" view
of a project. Every team member knows what to do and when to do it. Workers are notified
of impending work and documents. Suddenly employees are able to manage upcoming tasks and
even complete work on them before they arrive to them. Workflows can then automatically
route the information to appropriate team members for review or collaboration with data management
completely automated. This helps eliminate recurring process bottlenecks.
Task and Process Management can also assist in achieving Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) goals. Most engineers
probably do not operate from a standard workflow process; however the idea of using best
practices can be transferred from manufacturing to the early design phases of a product´s
lifecycle. The Workflow engine measures the engineering design process so efficiencies can
be recognized. Because this solution is also an open application, the information
collected can be analyzed to correct inefficiencies and create a consistent design process.
The
Kinnosa Workflow engine is WFMC (Work Flow Management Center) Compliant.
What Is The Value To Your Business? Task and Process Management
facilitates collaboration and manages the development process providing continuing value to your business.
There are both easily recognizable tangible cost savings as well as intangible benefits. Direct cost
savings result from a more productive use of professional staff, reduction of support staff and reduction
of staff training.
Kinnosa Workflow provides companies with choices. Task and processes can be configured to
standardize and automate many recurring processes to their ultimate optimization.
A number of ways that
Kinnosa Workflow can add measurable value:
- Production costs savings from improved product quality and mistake elimination
- Increased process efficiency that saves labor, manufacturing and overhead costs
- The improved ability to meet customer requirements and generate more revenue
- Employees improved understanding of their roles which reduces meeting time and training costs
- Reduced time-to-market that creates the opportunity for quicker capture of market share
- Efficient management of CAD and CAM designs for quick access and re-use
- Reduction of labor-intensive tasks that require resource supervision and resource intervention
- Improved productivity through the reduction of forms and processing overhead
Benefits of Kinnosa Workflow. Task and Process Management was
created to be a complete solution to your workflow and business process needs. This innovative
solution will provide continuing benefits to your engineering department, manufacturing
department and overall business operations. By standardizing processes and optimizing them to
their ultimate efficiency,
Kinnosa Workflow will provide numerous benefits to your team, including:
- Improved product quality
- Elimination of mistakes
- Increased process efficiency by eliminating unnecessary steps
- Met customer requirements
- Managed CAD and CAM designs
- Improved communication between employees, departments and outside vendors
- Reduced time-to-market and production costs
- Re-use of existing designs and work
- Concurrent engineering
- Task collaboration
- Assistance with implementing and achieving Design for Six Sigma (DFSS)
- Faster ECR and ECO/ECN approvals
- Standardized work methods and the availability of audit trails
- Improved customer service from greater consistency and predictability in levels of response to customers
- Increased flexibility to adjust the software to your business needs
Task and Process Management can also provide a number of intangible benefits to your organization that may not have
easily quantifiable results, but can definitely improve your specific and overall operations. Some of
these intangible include:
- Improved services by recognizing and adopting best practices
- Improved conditions for employees as the adoption of a structured workflow keeps focus and tasks in perspective
- Enhanced change management by utilizing analytics gathered in Workflow to refine and streamline tasks and processes with simple configuration modifications
- Higher product quality from constant improvements
- Better communication among employees and external contacts as the Workflow engine gets the right information, to the right people, at the right time
- Improved decision making abilities from greater understanding of the workflow tasks and activities
- Reduction of process bottlenecks from analysis of business processes
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