Questions and Answers
- What sizes of boards are available?
- How much does it cost?
- I’d like the Flashboard to be in a walk way. Do I have to have the scanner cabled to the computer?
- I would like to know how long it would take to print and put back the changes?
- How hard is it to train someone else to use the system if I am sick?
- What happens to my factory if someone makes mistakes?
- What happens to my factory if the computer breaks down?
- Can you send me a sample planning strip with a bar code so I can get the idea?
- We already use a whiteboard for planning. Can we use the barcode concept with an existing white board?
- What is the advantage of your Flashboard over a normal whiteboard?
- After a planning session at the board, I may not be able to remember which strips have been moved, what do you suggest?
- Our company already has planning software. Can we use the FlashBoard concept with existing systems?
Q. What sizes of boards are available?
A. There are several sizes, all 1200mm deep approx, allowing for up to 30 resource tracks. (and we can make to order)
|
Width, mm |
Resource Column |
Date/Time Columns |
No. of horizontal tracks |
|
1200 |
Yes |
32 |
30 |
|
900 |
Yes |
24 |
30 |
760 |
No |
24 |
30 |
|
100 |
Yes |
None |
30 |
The 760 and 100 mm wide boards can be arranged in groups to allow for multi day planning, for example:
In this example there are separate 24hr boards for Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Each board hangs from a track and can be slid along the track. A board can be lifted off, for example for preparation on a bench.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. Price depends on size and complexity. As an example of pricing, we offer a "starter kit" for approx. $2,700 (incl GST). The kit includes:
Flashboard: 30 Resources, 32 Time Columns (1200 mm x 1200mm.) One off
Scanner: Hand held barcode scanner, USB (fits most modern PCs)
Software: Flash software, basic; makes and scans strips
(Interfaces with Microsoft Excel)
Training: Basic course: Scheduling and Using a Loading Board.
Support: Telephone and Internet support for one year.
Q. I’d like the Board to be in a walk way. Do I have to have the scanner cabled to the computer?
A. We recommend ASP’s "PennyScan" for the maximum freedom while walking around. It looks like a car’s remote lock, and will fit on a key ring.
With this little scanner you can scan the strips on the board, then walk back to your PC and drain out the changes from the scanner. The new strips are then printed by a printer attached to the PC.
Q. I would like to know how long it would take to print and put back the changes?
A. No more time than any normal report printing. If you use pre-perforated stationery the actual finishing of the strips will take only moments.
Q. How hard is it to train someone else to use the system if I am sick?
A. We believe that the whole process is about as intuitive as short term planning could ever be. If the person is interested in planning, properly motivated and has the right priorities they should only need to be shown once. If they have any problems they can call Assured Systems for help.
Q. Do you have a free video CD or a DVD with this so I can put my legs up in my office and drink a coffee while I more easily learn how the FlashBoard works?( I don't read books)
A. We think the best way to get to know the system is to try it. We are happy to provide a FlashBoard and software on some sort of rental "try and buy" plan. Just call.
Q. What happens to my factory if someone makes mistakes?
A. Mistakes happen. But, a basic advantage of the FlashBoard approach is that mistakes show up, are easily found by the Group and are easy to fix.
Q. What happens to my factory if the computer breaks down?
A. You can continue planning with hand made strips. When the computer is finally fixed, new strips can be printed to replace the hand made strips. The software allows for keyboarding of codes if there are scanning problems.
Q. Can you send me a sample planning strip with a bar code so I can get the idea?
A. Gladly. Just give us a call and we will send back a set of sample strips.
Q. We already use a White Board for planning. Can we use the barcode concept with an existing white board?
A. Most white boards can take magnetic strips. The Flash Strips can be printed onto sticky label stationery and the Barcoded labels peeled off and stuck onto the magnetic strips. (this means that the magnetic strips can be re-used). Assured Systems is happy to provide the Flash software as a separate item if you want to use an alternative to our own FlashBoard™.
Q. What is the advantage of your Flashboard over a normal whiteboard?
A. The FlashBoard™ has been specifically designed for resource planning and to assist the barcode scanning process. The overlay of a vertical grid helps you accurately position the strips in time. This can be difficult with a fully loaded whiteboard. The strips are positively gripped in the resource channels but can be easily slid forwards and backwards in time. Getting strips ready by tearing off strips from pre-perforated sheets is much quicker than peeling and sticking labels to magnetic strips. The clear plastic resource channel protects the individual barcodes and is designed for scanning.
Q. After a planning session at the board, I may not be able to remember which strips have been moved, what do you suggest?
A. The FlashBoard™ patent includes a special colour or symbol coding system for the strips which makes moved strips stand out from the background. It is better seen in practice than described. Please call for details.
Q. Our company already has planning software. Can we use the FlashBoard concept with existing systems?
A. Yes, our patented FlashBoard™ bar code planning concept can be easily interfaced to almost any other software.