ABSTRACT
After implementing Paired-cell Overlapping Loops of Cards with Authorization (POLCA) companies have experienced numerous benefits. The success of mass production based on the fact that companies could spread the cost of processes, equipment and tooling over high volumes and thus lower their product costs. The only software needed to support the POLCA system is the software that calculates the Authorization Dates. The main costs for POLCA are almost trivial in comparison: they involve the time for planning the system, training the relevant people, and creating the Authorization Date calculations and the POLCA cards. In traditional manufacturing approaches, it is considered important to ensure that machines are busy and employees are not standing around idle; they are working on jobs. However, as seen from POLCA's Decision Time rules, and no other jobs are Authorized, then the cell team is not allowed to start another job just to keep its machines or people busy.
