Problems observed and performance losses
For industrial shops that have not yet gone through a digitisation step, data entry represents, on average over a year, a loss of time comparable to a year and a half of a full-time employee’s work.
What Meta 2i has seen since 1989 is unequivocal: the way production data is entered, and then sent up to the ERP, represents a significant loss of productivity and time for a manufacturer.
Historically, many shops work with a paper sheet on the shop floor. Operators write down by hand the data on the production carried out during their shift:
- Quantity produced
- Quantity scrapped
- Test bench report
- Maintenance sheet
- Quality sheet…
Most of the time, the shop supervisor then has to collect these sheets and re-enter the data by hand into the ERP or the software used to report production data.
This method wastes time and introduces errors through this double entry of production data.
The paperless method: how to save time on the shop floor
As part of a continuous improvement and operational efficiency approach, MES software revolutionises data entry in production shops.
The aim is simple: remove all Excel spreadsheets and paper sheets from the shop by introducing a single piece of software that brings together all the applications the production shop needs to run smoothly.
How does this work for operators’ production entries? It takes the form of an intuitive software interface that adapts to the manufacturer’s process. Operators enter their production data directly. All sheets and reports are digitised, and the information is sent automatically to the ERP and/or the desired recipient. It also ensures perfect traceability of information, thanks to a built-in audit trail and a search function for past manufacturing orders. Finally, anyone who needs this information can access it on their workstation computer, as well as on their smartphone or tablet, all with certified data security.
By removing the double entry of production information, we halve the time needed for data entry, while drastically reducing the related error rate.
What are the other benefits of the paperless method?
The MES reduces my data-entry time, but why else should I ban paper from my shop? The first point starts from a simple observation: paper costs money. It has to be bought, and requires the purchase and upkeep of the equipment that goes with it (printers, scanners…). It also requires human logistics: it has to be printed, taken to where it will be used, filled in by hand, and so on. What’s more, it has to be updated constantly, and it can be lost or damaged. All this represents time that can be saved.
Going paperless saves me money, but does it improve my productivity directly? The paperless method also has a direct impact on the shop’s productivity: first through data-entry time, as we have seen, but also by centralising the documents essential to production. MES software provides effective, suitable document management. For example: an operator receives a manufacturing order for a certain part. To do their work, they need documents (drawings, reports or travellers, quality sheets, etc.). They can find them directly at their workstation using the search function, and even fill in the sheets directly in the MES.
The MES is a fundamental driver of continuous improvement and performance in industrial shops. We estimate that 70% of manufacturers that have implemented a MES have achieved growth of at least 10% within 3 years.
KmProd, Meta 2i’s MES suite
These applications are only a small part of what our software suite offers. To discover all of KmProd’s features, contact us.
By choosing the KmProd solution, you benefit from medium-term support (5 years) to keep improving your industrial processes!
KmProd stands out from its competitors through its flexibility! Adaptable up to 50%, KmProd can be implemented whatever your business sector. Track your production in real time and benefit from multiple real, multidimensional returns on investment (ROI).
