Gemba said that its Gain4 production efficiency software uses the industry-standard OEE measure to help printing companies implement more effective measurement.

　　The company said that OEE is a simple but effective calculation that focuses on individual items of process or manufacturing equipment at a finite level and allows their effectiveness to be measured individually or in groups (for instance, with other equipment items).

　　The OEE calculation is based on the ratio of the three key production parameters - availability, performance, and quality - with time (for example, planned shift times) being used as the baseline measurement.

　　Gemba explained that if companies are measuring their production processes, and key factor, such as product quality, machine downtime and production speed, they have identified the key to remaining competitive.

　　Poor performances in any of these areas will lead to increased costs and unhappy customers, added the company.

　　But following that, the next step is to understand that each of those key factors is inextricably linked to one another, and that changes made to improve one area may have a detrimental affect on another.

　　For instance, it would be counter-productive to accelerate production processes it it resulted in an increased volume of reject work.

　　Therefore, according to Gemba, it is vital for companies to view the implementation of OEE holistically to ensure that any changes made result in a positive impact on a company's profits.