Managing agility and productivity in the electronics industry Available to Purchase

Managing the production and operations of a contemporary electronics manufacturing is challenging. Companies need to be proactive for uncertainties of the market in a productive way. This paper analyses the electronics manufacturing context and proposes the data system implementations based on context requirements. The general trends in electronics manufacturing are time‐based competition, increasing product variety and new technologies. Cost structure changes are driving productivity. Price erosion is forcing flexible operations and fast inventory turn rates. The uncertainties in electronics manufacturing that need especial management are: volume – the change in demand and its effect on lead‐time of order‐fulfilment; product mix – managing product variety and lot sizing issues and product life cycles – changing products and production technologies. Managing and measuring these dimensions require wide implementation of ERP packages. In some cases, more advance planning tools such as product configurators and advanced planning systems are required.