Kanban is a means of supporting pull–based replenishment in manufacturing systems. A Kanban system is a self–regulating pull system that leads to shorter lead times and reduced inventory. Kanban systems are typically applied to items that have relatively constant demand and medium–to–high production volume.

Kanbans represent replenishment signals that are usually manual and highly visible, such as a color–coded card that moves with the material, a light that goes on when replenishment is required, or an empty bin that is moved to the supply location to trigger replenishment.

The system includes an API that can be called by external systems, such as bar code readers, to trigger replenishment signals.  Kanbans can be replenished from an external supplier or an internal organization.

The four types of kanbans available in the system trigger transactions that pull material from different replenishment sources.
Inter Org Creates internal requisitions
Intra Org Triggers material movement from a subinventory in the same organization
Production Creates or releases a production job (discrete job, repetitive schedule, or flow schedule)
Supplier Creates a purchase requisition

Kanbans are generally replenishable and cycle through the system from full to empty, remaining active until they are
withdrawn. One–time signals, called non–replenishable kanbans, are used primarily to manage sudden spikes in demand.