The next step in digital transformation: delivering just-in-time information

From isolated systems to information systems that support decision making

In the second half of the 20th century, Toyota developed the "Toyota Production System" (TPS), which helped the company improve efficiency and quickly produce high-quality cars. The value of TPS has been widely recognized and popularized around the world. One of the core concepts of the system is "Just in Time", that is, each process link only produces the products needed for the next process link, and forms a complete set of continuous processes. Just in Time does not focus on the current state of the process, but on the ideal future state and how to achieve this state. At present, this concept focuses on improving and optimizing the tangible processes in real production.

Just in time information

Mendix has helped many companies accelerate their digital transformation, and many of the successful companies recognize just-in-time information (JITI). These customers recognize that providing the right information to the right people at the right time can play a key role and greatly improve customer satisfaction and process efficiency. It has been proven that companies that have used JITI have gained more customers and increased productivity by up to 45%. JITI is the ideal future state for companies to manage information within their organizations. Although the concept of "just-in-time" was born in the 1960s, most companies today are still far from mastering this concept.

Mendix believes that in order to successfully implement JITI within an organization, four conditions must be met: integration, openness, intelligence, and personalization. These four conditions are the "four pillars" that drive digital strategy to achieve JITI, and they are built on a solid foundation of information technology best practices. Each pillar is equally important, so companies can implement them one by one. Every member of the process should think about whether the information meets these four conditions, so that the value of the information can be maximized in the corresponding process links.

Pillar 1: Integration

Information should always serve the decisions required in each process link. The process should transcend the system, and the system should not limit the information that can be seen. For example, when a mechanic repairs equipment, he needs to replace parts. According to the company's process, the mechanic must update the information in the company's product lifecycle management (PLM) system, warehouse management system (WMS), and work order system. Now, mechanics do not need to switch between various systems. Instead, they can synchronize information to these systems with just a few clicks on one interface and quickly complete their work. In an integrated environment, companies can combine and coordinate business processes and use all available information in the organization to make real-time adjustments to processes when necessary.

Pillar 2: Openness

Information in an enterprise is one of the core elements of maintaining a competitive advantage, so you must be careful when sharing information. But in today's ever-changing, open, globalized world, if you only focus on the inside, you will miss external opportunities. Diverse information can provide services to customers and even create new business models to generate new sources of revenue. For example, Mendix's customer Mitsubishi has realized a new licensing business model using performance insights provided by Siemens low-code applications. Sharing information and collaborating with the entire value chain of the enterprise (including suppliers, regulators, logistics companies, and customers) will bring huge benefits.

Pillar 3: Intelligence

Enterprises should be able to provide real-time, online and offline information on any device through an intuitive, modern front end. Intelligent information means that data and technology are used to show workers only the valuable information they need at a certain time and place. Advanced technologies such as machine learning can identify patterns and create proactive warnings. For example, an enterprise can know in advance that a certain device will overheat in a few weeks and prepare maintenance work in advance. With these technologies, enterprises can do more with less and create greater value for their customers.

Pillar 4: Personalization

End users want specific information that is valuable at the moment in the process, and this information should be provided at the process stage according to different roles. The information provided will be more valuable if it can support multiple languages ​​and adjust the amount of information displayed according to the experience level of each employee. Providing personalized information based on the immediate needs of individuals in each process stage can optimize productivity and increase value.

Summarize

Information is the core of today's business operations. Making full use of information can significantly improve work processes, productivity, and communication efficiency between different personnel, and even generate new business models. Mendix has found that different companies have very different ways of processing information, but companies that can achieve the "four pillars" of just-in-time information often gain more market share. If JITI can be successfully implemented, companies can provide personalized, integrated, open and intelligent information to all internal and external stakeholders at the time and place they need.

When business processes transcend systems, enterprises need to get rid of information silos and raw data thinking patterns, and create digital strategies through JITI to support business processes. The key to achieving JITI is to break away from the current IT environment, be business-oriented, and clearly understand the information needed to achieve the goals and how to implement the goals through this information.

Optimizing Field Service Management through JITI

To learn more about how to apply JITI to field service management, download the e-book "Moving Forward Together: Applying Just-in-Time Information to Improve Field Service Management"