IT is at the heart of successful enterprises worldwide, and manufacturing enterprises are no exception. It is evolving to become a catalyst for process and product change. Today’s manufacturing enterprise, whether it produces consumer goods or weapons systems, must often juggle a range of conflicting demands. Smaller lot sizes, increased product flexibility, higher product quality, decreased delivery time, and smaller profit margins are typical of the ambitious goals in many such organizations. Through it all, the enterprise must consistently aim for the five R’s– produce the right product, with the right quality, in the right quantity, at the right price, and at the right time– and it must do more than satisfy its customers; it must delight them.
