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| POSCO employees look at monitors to check manufacturing processes on July 15 at the steelmaker's wire rod plant in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province. / Courtesy of POSCO |
By Yi Whan-woo
POSCO has improved its computer-controlled management and communication systems to increase efficiency in production and employee communication.
The world's fifth largest steelmaker said it plans to run its integrated computer network at each of its plants across the country to improve productivity and save time in the areas of manufacturing, inventory control and logistics.
According to the steel manufacturer, this year, it introduced an integrated network of business computers (BC) and process computers (PC) in one of its plants, the first of its kind in the world. The steel giant and its IT service arm, POSCO ICT, jointly developed the manufacturing execution system to be able to respond promptly to customer demands.
A BC develops production schedules and checks on inventory status to make sure goods can be produced on time. On the other hand, a PC monitors manufacturing processes in detail and ensures the products meet customer specifications including for length, width and thickness.
"Before we introduced the integrated system, several processes carried out by each computer overlapped, causing inefficiencies in productivity and time," the company said in a press release. "Also, a technical problem in one of the computers spreads to the other computers, a situation we have found difficult to cope with."
The so-called BC-PC Integrated System was set up in July at POSCO's wire rod mill in its plant in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province. Of the 15 processes carried out by each computer in the past, seven were merged into one by the system, according to the company. The new system has also reduced the time spent for fulfilling changes in a customer's demand from 48 hours to 46 hours.
"We're sure the system will set a new standard in manufacturing processes," the company said. It added it will run the system at two additional plants by January 2014.
An efficient communication system ensures employees are engaged and empowered to help the company succeed in the global business environment. To this end, POSCO has also implemented a video conferencing system by Google to enable real-time discussion among its workers regardless of their locations.
On Dec. 10, 2012, the company launched its Smart Workplace program, partnering with Google and other technology providers.
To facilitate communication among employees at various POSCO plants and offices, the company has implemented Google+ Hangouts, a video conferencing app and one of the U.S. Internet giant's smart workplace solutions.
Google+ Hangouts allows employees to access other Google products such as Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Drive, enabling employees to collaborate more frequently and achieve better results.
"We are no longer tied to the traditional top-down approach to management. Instead, we use Google Apps," POSCO said.
"Our organization now has more flexibility to enable employees to work together at all levels and collaborate easily and effectively across business and geographical borders.
"We want the entire POSCO family of companies to benefit from this way of working together, and we plan to roll out Google Apps in our other companies in the future," said the press release.
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