Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing both focus on quality in a process, but there are differences between these two disciplines. In this episode of Ask the Experts, Director of Operations Tim Lackey explained what both concepts are and how they contribute to quality. “The difference between Six Sigma and Lean is that [...]
In transactional print and mail, accuracy is the most critical component of production. Ensuring every letter inserts into the correct envelope ensures compliance and prevents mis-mailings. To be accurate, you need a robust process, and PCI Group has strengthened its workflows with Lean Manufacturing. In this episode of Ask the Experts, Tim [...]
In Lean Manufacturing, standard works are a crucial component to ensuring repeatable quality. Every process has a series of steps, and standard works are the documentation of tasks in the correct sequence. This standardization ensures that deviation and errors occur less frequently. So, how do standard works contribute to quality? Tim Lackey, [...]
In the world of transactional print and mail, maintaining accuracy and quality is crucial. While errors can occur, they present an opportunity for improvement. This is where Corrective Action Reports (CARs) come into play for PCI Group. By investigating deviations or mistakes, CARs help identify the root cause and implement necessary corrective [...]
Running an in-plant was once the most efficient way to manage transactional print and mail. However, many organizations now find this model no longer tenable as print communications decline and costs rise for materials, technology, equipment, postage, and labor. Since print and mail aren’t your core competency, it becomes difficult to manage and curtail costs. [...]
For those industries that produce transactional print and mail products, you know it’s a complex process. There are many components to get right—quality, accuracy, and compliance. If you’ve begun to reconsider your operations and move toward outsourcing, you’ll want to evaluate prospective partners in many ways. One thing you should look for is a print [...]
Lean Manufacturing creates efficiency by eliminating waste and optimizing processes. Its practices and principles have become a mainstay for manufacturers across the industry. While you may be aware of Lean, you might wonder why it’s important in transactional print and mail. We’ll explain what it is and why it’s critical for these communication types. [...]
How much does quality and the elimination of waste matter in producing transactional mail? The answer—a lot. Transactional print and mail focuses on mission-critical communications, typically bound by compliance regulations. To live inside such a rigid framework, print and mail providers need to employ numerous methods and procedures. Six Sigma is a quality management [...]
When quality and accuracy matter, companies turn to methodologies to improve on both these goals. As a transactional print and mail company, we are process-oriented, and each process must be consistent. Otherwise, we couldn’t deliver services that meet compliance regulations. We’ve adopted both Six Sigma printing and Lean printing principles. While they are similar, they [...]
Ensuring the quality of any product requires rigorous processes that are repeatable to maintain consistency and accuracy. That’s especially true for transactional print and mail. So, how do you operationalize this kind of quality? Lean Manufacturing plays a crucial role in the induction of standard works. So, what are they and how do they contribute [...]
