COMPUTERIZED PARTS TRACEABILITY - AN IMPLEMENTATION CASE-STUDY

This case study examines the planning and implementation of a computer ised parts traceability system at Nippondenso (Australia), a large aut omotive parts manufacturer located in Melbourne, Australia. The paper discusses the associated planning and training, hardware and software selection, implementation problems and benefits achieved from the impl ementation. Factors critical to successful implementation are also ide ntified. In early 1990 the Australian car manufacturers demanded that Nippondenso fully identify and trace every component to assure product quality A five-year plan for computer integrated manufacture (CIM) wa s developed by Nippondenso (Australia), with an initial emphasis on ga ining full traceability of products. The computerised system put in pl ace enables the identification of all incoming goods, direct requisiti on of those goods from computer terminals at the shop floor and record ing of all work and processes used in manufacture. The manufacturing h istory of every finished product is then stored and is both precise an d complete. In addition to a higher level of quality assurance through traceability of faulty parts, Nippondenso (Australia) has gained sign ificant savings from better stock handling and production management. Accurate information regarding work-in-progress and inventory levels g reatly aids decision making and has reduced lead times. (C) 1997 Elsev ier Science Ltd.