E-kanban software: why supplier integration makes the difference

If you’re looking for electronic Kanban software to improve operational efficiency, reduce waste, and simplify production management according to Lean principles, KanbanBOX is the solution for you. Not only for its advanced features or the quality and security guarantees offered by its in-house development and support team. In fact, one of the most appreciated differentiating factors is that KanbanBOX allows you to integrate your suppliers directly into the platform, transforming a simple operational tool into an extended collaboration system. 

An advanced e-kanban, not just digital

KanbanBOX is the electronic kanban software designed to combine the advantages of manual kanban with the benefits of digitalization, providing real-time visibility of material flow and making the production system reactive and visual. 

With KanbanBOX, you can: 

  • Have a complete overview of all the kanban cards in the company through a digital board that lets you monitor the status of orders and the availability of materials. 
  • Gain full control over the status of processes, making it easier to identify bottlenecks, delays, or issues. 
  • Digitize the replenishment signal transmission, eliminating non-value-added activities like manually collecting and delivering physical kanban cards to the different supplier processes. 
  • Enable real-time communication of replenishment orders: thanks to the digital replenishment signal, the supplier process can view the order directly on its digital board as soon as it’s created. 

Beyond these advantages, one of the aspects that truly sets KanbanBOX apart from most kanban software on the market is supplier integration. Let’s take a closer look. 

What it means to set up supplier integration in kanban software

Setting up supplier integration means extending the benefits of electronic kanban material management to external suppliers by treating them as an integral part of the organization. In practice, the external suppliers are treated like they were internal: they receive replenishment orders directly on their own KanbanBOX digital board, in real time and automatically. 

This integration completely eliminates the need for the purchasing department to go to production to collect physical kanban cards and manually convert them into orders to be sent via email or other channels. The process becomes immediate, traceable, and standardized. The supplier has full visibility into the orders related to them, can print kanban cards, update their status, process them, and ship them on time. All within a shared system that improves efficiency and dramatically reduces errors, non-value-added activities, and replenishment lead time. 

 

Kanban with supplier integration

Why supplier integration makes the difference

With KanbanBOX, you can integrate your external suppliers into your material replenishment system. Once the integration with a supplier is set up, you’ll be able to: 

  • Share access to a digital board where both parties can view all kanban cards related to that supplier. 
  • Send them replenishment orders in real time (even using the lot-based kanban management policy, sending the order only when the minimum lot is reached). 
  • View real-time status changes of their kanban cards, such as “To be replenished,” “In process,” or “Shipped,” eliminating the need for emails or phone calls to request order updates. 
  • Communicate through comments in the related section of the specific kanban cards, which remain in the platform history for full traceability. 

Real benefits for companies that choose integration

Thanks to the ability to integrate suppliers into your kanban system, you gain: 

  • Greater visibility over materials to be replenished, in process, or incoming, reducing delays and urgent orders. 
  • Elimination of emails, phone calls, and non-value-added manual tasks. 
  • Full control over the status of kanban cards, even when multiple parties are involved. 
  • Centralized supply chain management, including ERP integration, with no need for additional tools. 

A system designed to grow with you

Whether you’re managing a small manufacturing business or part of a global group, KanbanBOX adapts to your needs. With a scalable platform, you can start with a single internal process and gradually extend usage to more departments, more suppliers, and even your customers or distributors. 

Pull-based management doesn’t stop at your company’s walls. With KanbanBOX, you can finally make supplier integration a real and shared process across your entire supply chain. 

 

For more information, book a call with our experts and tell us about your needs, we’re ready to listen!