Learn What a Shop Floor Control System Is and Some of Its Benefits
A shop floor control system is a software used in managing operations in a production plant by collecting data from machines.
It allows you to count produced units, measure downtime, machine speeds, and efficiency, as well as time and material waste. This facilitates real-time monitoring of plant efficiency and productivity to optimize processes.
These systems usually operate through a combination of hardware, software, and sensors, using technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), automation, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to improve management and performance of shop floor operations.
These software solutions integrate with ERP information systems and adapt to the specific needs of each company, offering an intuitive interface that allows users to download detailed reports.
Thanks to the captured data, OEE can be automatically measured.
Read More: How to Calculate OEE: Individual Machines vs. Entire Production Line or Factory
With GESPLINE and OPTTIME shop floor control solutions from Proalnet, you can visualize real-time captures from any device, including:
- Counting produced units
- Automatically measuring downtime and machine breakdowns
- Automatically tracking speed, times, production, raw materials, and waste
Additionally, Gesplinewith its special module, allows direct connection to scales for capturing production and waste weight, with automatic label generation.
Some key advantages of shop floor control systems include:
- Increased Operational EfficiencyShop floor control systems optimize the management of physical space operations, leading to increased operational efficiency.
This includes efficient resource allocation, optimized route planning, process automation, and effective inventory management, reducing downtime, improving workflows, and increasing overall productivity.
Read More: How to Improve Machine Efficiency
- Real-Time TrackingShop floor control systems offer real-time tracking of assets, personnel, and other relevant elements in the physical space.
This provides full, accurate visibility of real-time operations, facilitating informed decision-making and rapid response to changes in demand or unforeseen situations.
Read More: Andon Systems: Visual and Light Alerts
- Data Analysis and Report GenerationShop floor control systems collect operational data, providing valuable insights into the performance of operations.
With detailed report generation tools, users can access years of historical data on the plant, each machine, order, and operator.
In the short term, users can gain insights and make data-driven decisions to identify improvement opportunities, optimize processes, and track compliance with operational goals.
This allows prioritization of issues through downtime Pareto charts, instantly visualizing the main cause for improvement.
Read More: Pareto of Downtimes
- Smart Automation: Shop floor control systems offer intelligent automation capabilities, allowing automated execution of operational tasks and processes.
This reduces reliance on error-prone manual tasks, optimizes the speed and accuracy of operations, and frees employees to focus on higher-value activities.
Read More: Invisible Advantages of Automatic Data Capture
- Integration with Other Enterprise SystemsShop floor control systems can integrate with other enterprise systems, such as Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
This allows more comprehensive and efficient supply chain management, data synchronization, and optimization of workflows across different systems.
Read More: Measuring OEE: Manually and Automatically
- Improved Customer Satisfaction: Efficient shop floor management through a control system can have a direct impact on customer satisfaction.
The ability to deliver faster, more accurate, and reliable service can enhance the customer experience, increase customer loyalty, and improve the company’s reputation in the market.
These mentioned advantages can lead to more efficient and profitable management of operations in the physical space, resulting in better overall business performance.
Read More: How to Implement Just-in-Time (JIT) Methodology
Read More: Takt Time and Cycle Time
How to Choose a Shop Floor Control System?
To choose a SHOP FLOOR CONTROL SYSTEM, it is essential to consider the specific needs of the plant that add the most value. Additionally, consider the provider's specific experience in implementing shop floor control systems and their knowledge of efficiency indicators.
Read More: 7 Steps to Choosing the Best Shop Floor Control System (Plant Digital Transformation)
Explore this topic further: 4 Indicators to Make Your Factory One of the Best in the World
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