I've been thinking about this idea for a while, and how to go about getting an answer, then I realized the Five Minute Gemba is the best option I have available! Last year we made a push to get more customer feedback, which we display on our home page. Reading the comments from satisfied customers really made us all feel incredible. We celebrated every single one. We are … [Read more...]
About Joe Hackman
CNC Machine Security: The Dangers and Management of USB Devices
I introduced a new feature for this article, since it is quite a bit longer than our usual articles. The information covered here is very important, but maybe you don't have time to read it right now and you want some quick advice. If this is you: This article "almost wasn't". While working on the original, I had an idea. I wanted to explore whether OT-Max could directly … [Read more...]
FMG No. 14 – Making Wise Decisions, Early and Often
In 2024, we measured company performance with the most detail since I started Managed Solutions in 1997. Why? We preach measurement and we make measurement possible. But to neglect ourselves slows down what might be possible for both us and our customers! To build on this internal effort, I began reading “Measure What Matters” by John Doerr. It’s about OKRs (Objectives … [Read more...]
2025 Relaunch of the Five Minute Gemba
Welcome back! After a hiatus, I am excited to reintroduce the Five Minute Gemba newsletter. As we step in to 2025, I want to share some reflections, news, and set the tone for the new year for the newsletter and beyond. Reflections on 2024, LLM Influence Last year I discovered a powerful ally, what I dubbed my "best $20 a month employee" aka ChatGPT. I then started working … [Read more...]
Unlocking Potential with CIMCO Teachware
In the ever-evolving world of manufacturing and CNC machining, staying ahead of the curve isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity. One of the most powerful tools for training, documentation, and procedural clarity is CIMCO Teachware. Originally designed to enhance education and training programs, this versatile platform offers much more than meets the eye. What is CIMCO … [Read more...]
CMMC 2.0 and the Encrypted Shop Floor: How OT-Max Helps You Meet Compliance
In recent years, our experience bridging the gap between IT and OT has been called upon often. As time goes on, rules change, standards change, and we're all required to adapt. It's often not simple answers, there is a lot of interpretation about how to achieve some of the loftier requirements. One of them just got a heck of a lot easier, CMMC 2.0 and your shop floor … [Read more...]