methods

An actual study about the implementation of holistic production systems in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) illustrates the desire of most SMEs to realize a clearly structured and high performance production. The study shows up great difficulties due to lack of methodological expertise in the context of a production system implementation [1]. For this reason, the University of Applied Sciences Landshut developed a framework for methods which is part of the “Landshuter Produktionssystem (LPS): CLean Production - Lean & Clean”. The ‘methods-wheel’ concept enables the comprehensible, systematic and complete presentation of all necessary methods and tools for the LPS. Thus, the situational correct selection of methods is facilitated as well as the desired clarity and transparence is given. By integrating the methods-wheel in the overall context of the LPS interactions between goals, principles, methods and operational processes will be illustrated. As a consequence, the ...

Collaboration in dynamic networks enables in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to combine own resources and competences with complementary services of partners in order to improve competitiveness and to distribute risks. However, for the organization of setting up, efficiently operating and eventually also dissolving such networks, SMEs often lack necessary capabilities and human resources. Within this article, a methodology for network management is presented which comprises SME-suitable and easily applicable methods that significantly support efficient network management. The success of the methodology is illustrated with an example from the networked development of an innovative motorcycle helmet.

The Virtual Production is a key element to the mastering of current challenges in the producing industry. Nevertheless in practice in many cases there exist deficits in the field of defining contents and of implementing a strategy regarding the Virtual Production. Therefore this article addresses - starting from a representation of the definition and the structure - the core areas of the Virtual Production. Subsequently the essential steps are illustrated that are necessary to realize the overall Virtual Production and to avoid isolated applications as well.

In recent years, services increasingly became a subject in research as well as in practice. In comparison with product development new service development often is dominated by intuitive action. Therefore there is a huge potential for optimizing the development procedure in terms of a determination, quality and customer focus. This article introduces an approach for service development that is based on a methodical approach. It is shown, how the complex task of service development can be simplified.