What’s Project View all about?
Project View lets you take those long Gantt charts and shrink them down to a single-page view. Perfect for when you need to share updates in a PowerPoint presentation. Just go to the settings, pick the WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) title, and select the activities or milestones you want to showcase.

Customize and Make It Yours
Want to make your Gantt chart really pop? You can customize rows, shapes, background colors, borders, and text placement. It’s all about making sure your project info looks clean, sharp, and easy to follow.

Visualize with Ease via Gantt Chart
Once you’ve set it up, your Gantt chart becomes much easier to digest. You can adjust the layout, connect tasks, add comments, and even change the time scale (Year/Quarter/Month/Week/Day) to suit your needs. It’s flexible and ensures you can present your project clearly.

Why Should You Use It?
If your Gantt chart feels a little too overwhelming, Project View is the perfect solution to simplify things. It’s great for summarizing your project’s key details, making them easy to share with your team or stakeholders. You can even grab a screenshot and drop it right into your PowerPoint!

Pro tip: Set up Project View ahead of time in your project templates, so when a new project kicks off, all the settings are copied over and ready to go.

Give Project View a try for your next update and experience how much smoother it makes sharing your progress!

If you have any questions or want a personalized demo, feel free to reach out to our DTM support team at dtm_support@zionex.com.

The post Streamline Project Updates with DTM Project View appeared first on Zionex Inc..

Fits Corporation Case Study Interview

We spoke with Mr. Kazunori Suzuki from the SCM team and Ms. Akiko Kitazawa from the Administration team at Fits Corporation about the background, purpose, and changes after implementing the SaaS-based SCM service “PlanNEL.”

– Can you start by telling us about your company’s business?

Mr. Suzuki: Our company operates with the philosophy of “creating products that exude richness,” and we aim to deliver “new cultures” around the world, primarily through our cosmetics business. We function both as a manufacturer and distributor, importing overseas products for domestic sales and exporting our own products globally.

–What are the roles and structure of different departments in achieving SCM?

Mr. Suzuki: Our organization is unique in that it has a flat structure, with no departments or hierarchical positions. To achieve SCM, we have three main teams: the Logistics & Shipping Team, the Production & Manufacturing Team, and the MD & Accounting Team, which manages order and production requests based on sales plans and profit goals. I oversee both the Production & Manufacturing Team and the MD & Accounting Team.

Ms. Kitazawa: Although I’m not directly involved in SCM operations, as part of the Administration Team responsible for IT, I support digital transformation (DX) across teams, including SCM, from a company-wide perspective.

Mr. Suzuki: Our SCM team focuses on cross-team communication to enhance productivity and create more time for customer engagement. We’re actively promoting digital transformation to achieve this goal.

–Before implementing PlanNEL, what challenges were you facing?

Mr. Suzuki: Our MD & Accounting Team was managing sales, procurement, and inventory planning using Excel. However, with increasing sales and more team members, human errors and differences in Excel skills led to time-consuming processes. This prevented the team from focusing on customer engagement. We realized we needed a system to automate planning and management tasks to create more time for analysis and creativity, which are essential for driving business growth.

Ms. Kitazawa: In today’s world, where the labor force is shrinking, simply working longer hours isn’t the solution—productivity is key. We recognized that our Excel-based processes had their limitations, and our leadership team emphasized the need for rapid systemization to further expand sales and profits.

–Why did you choose PlanNEL over other SCM services?

Mr. Suzuki: We first learned about PlanNEL through an article in the Harvard Business Review that one of our team members shared. Previously, we had attempted to build an SCM system with an external vendor, but it didn’t work out. From that experience, we learned that it’s important not only to implement a system but also to reassess and improve business processes. We chose PlanNEL because it’s a SaaS model that follows global SCM standards, offers AI-driven demand forecasting, and allowed us to collaborate closely to create the right SCM framework.

Ms. Kitazawa: In our search, we found that other solutions didn’t meet our budget or requirements, and some had system performance issues, such as slow data processing. PlanNEL not only met our financial and functional needs, but we were also impressed with Zionex’s commitment to helping us realize our vision for SCM, which made them the right partner for us.

– How has the implementation of PlanNEL gone so far?

Mr. Suzuki: We’re still in the process of fine-tuning the system for full-scale operation, but a major shift has been structuring our processes to align with PlanNEL’s framework, rather than trying to fit the system into our existing processes.

Ms. Kitazawa: Zionex actively participated in our internal meetings during the implementation, supporting us as SCM professionals, which made the rollout smooth. Additionally, during the PlanNEL implementation, we identified gaps in our master data management that weren’t fully handled by our existing ERP system, which led us to improve our data management structure.

– Finally, do you have any advice for those considering an SCM solution?

Mr. Suzuki: Initially, we were concerned about working with Zionex, since they are headquartered in Korea. We weren’t sure if we’d get enough localized support in Japan, but that concern quickly disappeared since Zionex has an office in Tokyo with dedicated SCM consultants to support local clients in Japan. Their team provided passionate, professional support throughout the process. SCM can be managed in many ways, but I believe building operations and processes that align with the system leads to smoother operations. If you’re facing SCM challenges, I highly recommend consulting with them.

The post Interview with Fits Corporation appeared first on Zionex Inc..

Introduction

In our previous discussions, we explored how to create and promote a project template effectively. Now, we will delve into the steps for creating a new project using advanced project templates.

Project Creation Process

To begin creating a project, you will need to enter specific details and make selections that define the project’s framework. Below are the essential fields required on the project creation UI:

1. Project Type

• Options: General or CCPM (Critical Chain Project Management).
• Description: Selecting CCPM allows setting buffers for each Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and switches the Gantt chart function to track the remaining man-hours.

2. Project Name

• Description: Enter a distinctive name that identifies the project.

3. Start/End Date

• Description: Select the project’s start and end dates. These dates serve as the base for template selection, scheduling, and other time-related settings.

4. Project Manager

• Description: Select the project manager responsible for overseeing the project.

5. Calendar

• Description: Choose the holiday calendar specific to the project. Calendars should be pre-registered in the Calendar Master.

6. Time Zone

• Description: Select the time zone applicable to the project, registered in the Time Zone Master.

Additional Optional Fields

7. Permission Group

• Description: Set permissions during the initial pending state post-project creation. Permission groups are pre-registered in the Project Permission Group Master.

8. Project Group (PJ Group)

• Description: Select the project group, pre-registered in the PJ Group Master.

9. Project Resource

• Description: If this attribute is checked, project resources will be selectable in the Gantt chart, and only those identities set as project resources can be assigned to activities and milestones.

10. Template Selection

• Options: Not Select, Template Select, Select Projects.
• Description: Choose whether to start from scratch, use a project template, or select an existing project.

11. Scheduling Options

• Options: No constraints, More than FW Lead Lag, Protect FW Lead Lag, More than BW Lead Lag, Protect BW Lead Lag.
• Description: Select a scheduling constraint option if no template or existing project is chosen.

12. Activity Color

• Description: Select a master color combination for normal, delayed, and completed activities. These are pre-registered in the activity color setting master.

13. Project Notification

• Description: Configure project notification settings, including timing and recipients. Note that Aras Scheduling Service setup is required for this feature.

Finalizing Project Creation

After setting these attributes, click the Create Project button. This action generates the project and opens the Gantt Chart UI for further configuration. Here, you can confirm the project schedule, assign members, and define scheduled deliverables.

In the next issue, we will introduce the functions of the Gantt Chart UI in detail, providing insights into optimizing project management using these advanced features.

The post Optimizing Project Management Using DTM: Advanced Project Creation appeared first on Zionex Inc..

In the realm of project management, efficiency and clarity are paramount. Understanding this, we introduce a sophisticated feature in Dynamic Task Manager (DTM) designed to streamline the initiation and execution phases of projects: the Advanced Project Template. This concept is not merely about templating; it’s a strategic approach to project planning that incorporates predefined schedules and deliverables, ensuring a robust foundation right from the project’s inception.

Project Templates: The Strategic Advantage

At the core of our approach, project templates serve as a comprehensive outline. These templates are not just about names and dates; they integrate main scheduling options such as calendars and time zones, which are critical for the global alignment of project teams. The versatility of these templates is showcased through their ability to adapt scheduling options even after a project has kicked off, offering unparalleled flexibility.

Scheduling Options: Tailored for Precision

Our advanced templates provide five distinct scheduling options to cater to various project demands:

1. Unconstrained Scheduling: Offers the freedom to place activities and milestones without the restrictions of lead-lag times, ideal for projects requiring high flexibility.
2. Forward Scheduling (More than FW Lead Lag): Allows forward scheduling with flexibility in lead-lag days, accommodating projects with progressive timelines.
3. Forward Scheduling (Protect FW Lead Lag): Adheres strictly to the calculated lead-lag times, ensuring precision in forward-scheduled activities and milestones.
4. Backward Scheduling (More than BW Lead Lag): Facilitates backward scheduling with additional lead-lag days, suitable for projects planned with a delivery-date focus.
5. Backward Scheduling (Protect BW Lead Lag): Maintains strict adherence to lead-lag times in backward scheduling, perfect for time-sensitive project deliveries.

Depending on the initial direction of the project, whether it’s start-date or delivery-date driven, our templates offer a methodical approach to planning and scheduling.

Configuring the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

The creation of a project template extends into the meticulous configuration of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). This involves the arrangement of activities and milestones within a hierarchical structure, detailing tasks with specified durations and assigning responsibilities for tracking progress and deliverables. The WBS becomes a dynamic tool, allowing for the connection of activities and milestones to set constraints and manage dependencies effectively.

Enhanced Project Planning with Constraints and Lead Lags

Our templates refine project planning with the integration of constraint types (finish-to-start, finish-to-finish, start-to-finish, start-to-start) and lead lags, which define the interactivity between project activities. This granular level of scheduling detail ensures that project managers can tailor their plans to the exact needs of the project, fostering an environment of precision and accountability.

1. fs: finish to start
2. ff: finish to finish
3. sf: start to finish
4. ss: start to start

Attributes for Comprehensive Detailing

Beyond scheduling, our project templates encompass a range of attributes for each WBS, activity, and milestone. These include descriptions, to-dos, link information, planned deliverables, and notes, offering a holistic view of the project components. This comprehensive detailing ensures that every aspect of the project is documented, accessible, and aligned with the project goals.

Conclusion: Elevating Project Management

With the project template ready and its status updated, it becomes a pivotal resource for project creation, promising an elevation in the way projects are managed and executed. Our advanced project templates are more than just a planning tool; they are a testament to our commitment to enhancing project management through innovation and strategic foresight.

What is Dynamic Task Manager (DTM)?

Dynamic Task Manager is a comprehensive project management solution designed to support the entire product development lifecycle, from concept to end of life. With its interactive and user-friendly interface, it seamlessly integrates with Aras Innovator® as an add-on module to streamline the design and engineering processes of new product introduction (NPI) and end of life (EOL) management. It allows teams to easily collaborate, manage tasks, track progress, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality products. Whether you are managing a small project or a large-scale product launch, Dynamic Task Manager has the tools and features you need to stay on top of your project and achieve success.

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