PSL Datatrack Launches New Off-the-Shelf Status Boards for Enhanced Production Control

Bracknell-based PSL Datatrack, a leading provider of production control software for subcontract precision engineers, has launched a new suite of off-the-shelf status boards designed to give businesses an immediate solution for improving production visibility and driving profitability.

PSL Datatrack’s status boards have been a staple feature of its modular system for years, providing manufacturers with clear, visual instructions to manage production activities. Historically, these boards have been tailored to meet the specific needs of each customer, offering bespoke solutions that displayed only the most relevant production metrics. However, the company’s latest release introduces a more accessible option for businesses seeking quick and easy solutions: four ready-to-use status boards that provide instant access to vital production data. These boards are designed to help smaller businesses or those with undefined requirements gain clearer oversight of their daily operations without the complexity of customisation.

Tackling Common Pain Points

The new status boards focus on addressing three common challenges faced by subcontractors: time management, sales management, and cash flow stability. Each board is strategically designed to provide real-time visibility into different aspects of production control, enabling users to streamline operations, reduce bottlenecks, and ultimately increase profitability.

The first board focuses on live works orders, offering a real-time overview of the customer order book. This feature allows office teams to track customer and internal stock replenishment orders at a glance, saving time and reducing communication delays. With this board, decision-makers can easily monitor the status of ongoing orders, identify issues that require attention, and respond quickly to customer inquiries with accurate, up-to-date information. The increased transparency helps build stronger customer relationships by improving response times and service reliability, which in turn boosts customer loyalty and supports long-term profitability.

Real-Time Visibility and Material Management

The second status board provides real-time visibility into outstanding material stock purchase orders. This board is a crucial tool for procurement teams, allowing them to monitor all material orders in one place, identify potential delays, and ensure that materials arrive on time to meet production demands. With immediate access to purchasing information, teams can proactively manage supplier relationships, address stock shortages, and collaborate with production teams to minimise disruptions. This oversight helps prevent costly downtime caused by missing materials, ensuring production schedules stay on track and boosting overall efficiency.

The third board is designed to address inventory management issues, specifically focusing on undelivered components allocated to customer orders. It highlights parts that have been assigned to a specific works order but have not yet been delivered to the customer. This visibility is particularly valuable from an invoicing perspective, as invoices cannot be generated until delivery notes are processed. By tracking these undelivered components, users can manage shipments more effectively, reducing invoicing delays, streamlining cash flow, and improving profitability.

Enhanced Productivity with the Work-To-List Board

The final status board is the Work To List, an essential tool for shopfloor staff. This board offers a clear, organised view of the tasks that need to be completed and the order in which they should be addressed. Powered by the company’s Sequential Scheduler module, the Work To List ensures that staff are always aware of the most urgent tasks at hand. This structured approach improves workflow management, reducing time spent deciding what to do next and boosting overall productivity. By prioritising high-demand jobs, the board helps prevent missed deadlines and ensures consistent customer satisfaction, leading to greater profitability as idle time is minimised.

Flexibility for Future Customisation

One of the standout features of the new status boards is their flexibility. While the boards are ready to use out of the box, they also offer significant opportunities for future customisation. As businesses grow or refine their production processes, users can adapt the boards by adding new metrics, adjusting colour coding, or modifying the layout to meet evolving needs. This flexibility allows companies to start with a simple solution and scale up as required, ensuring that their production control systems can evolve alongside their business.

A Step Towards Greater Operational Control

Geoff Gartland, managing director of PSL Datatrack, emphasised that these new off-the-shelf boards are designed to provide businesses with an easy entry point into real-time production data. “We understand that some organisations need live production data but may not yet know exactly which metrics are most valuable to them. These ready-to-use boards offer a straightforward starting point, allowing businesses to assess their needs and refine their processes as they grow.”

The introduction of these status boards is another step in PSL Datatrack’s mission to support subcontract precision engineers in managing their operations more efficiently and profitably in an increasingly digital world. By providing immediate access to key production metrics, these boards empower businesses to make data-driven decisions, enhance operational control, and ultimately drive profitability.

Gartland concluded, “Visibility and accessibility of data are critical for our user base. With these new status boards, we’re making it easier than ever for businesses to leverage real-time data to improve their operations and boost their profitability.”