DIGITAL TOOLS IN THE LEAN PRODUCTION SYSTEM AS A FACTOR FOR REDUCING OPERATING COSTS

Abstract

Introduction. Modern business is constantly searching for ways to reduce costs. It is extremely difficult to reduce variable costs, since the quality of future finished products depends on their qualitative and quantitative composition. It is especially problematic to reduce fixed costs in the short term, and therefore one of the options for solving this problem is the "lean production" system.

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to study digital tools implemented in the lean production system, analyze their impact on cost management processes, and provide specific recommendations for their practical application in the operational activities of the enterprise.

Results. One of the effective options for cost management is the implementation of key provisions of the lean production system in the activities of domestic enterprises.

The main goal of the lean production system is to minimize all types of losses and ensure the most efficient use of material, financial and labor resources through continuous improvement of all business processes of the enterprise, focused on meeting consumer needs.

The purpose of the lean production system is to eliminate production losses, which include working, unoptimized processes or unused materials that are idle, reducing productivity. There can be many motives for its achievement: from increasing production profitability to improving product quality. The key advantages of implementing the system for business are: minimizing waste; improving the quality of manufactured products; increasing competitiveness; optimizing costs; increasing labor productivity; reducing time costs and accelerating the production process.

Digital tools in the lean production system (Lean Production) play an increasingly important role, as they provide more accurate, faster and more effective management, analysis and optimization processes. They combine the Lean philosophy with the capabilities of digital technologies, which is the basis of the Lean Digital approach.

Through the use of digital tools, not only the business process responsible for the timing of production and product launch is developing, but also the processes responsible for logistics, product quality and production efficiency are developing.

In addition, digital tools accelerate the process of product launch by improving contacts with suppliers and customers, all of which allows to reduce downtime and loading in enterprise warehouses, product shipment, as well as its receipt.

Thus, in order to increase the efficiency of enterprise management, the enterprise is recommended to implement a lean production system that combines the optimization of production processes aimed at constantly improving product quality while constantly reducing costs with the involvement of modern digital tools in this process.

Conclusion. Among the key digital tools supporting Lean manufacturing are:  ERP and MES systems — for planning, controlling and automating production; IoT — for collecting data from equipment in real time; Digital Andon Boards and KPI Dashboards — for visual monitoring of performance indicators; AI quality control systems — for reducing defects; Digital Twins — for digital modeling of production; mobile Lean applications — for involving personnel in all production and management processes; blockchain — for increasing transparency of logistics and supply.

The results of implementing digital tools in the lean manufacturing system are positive and measurable, including: reducing costs and downtime; improving product quality; increasing labor productivity; improving management reporting and decision-making speed; reducing inventory and optimizing logistics.