Imagine this: you arrive at your job shop as the night shift exits the doors and the first shift begins to gear up for the day. The first batch of morning coffee is set to begin dripping as you turn on the lights in your office. You turn on your computer and you are welcomed by a dashboard of metrics and production insights, knowing exactly where each order is on the floor.
Setting Manufacturing Management Worries Aside
You don’t have to worry about how to dig up answers when Customer A calls for an ETA on their recent, high-volume order because you can access any document in just one click.
You don’t have to wonder if you are losing money on these time-consuming projects because you know exactly how much each job is costing you with Job Costing reports and auto margins.
You don’t have to argue with your office admin on invoicing details, quoting accuracy or customer service inquiries because QuickBooks is integrated and invoicing is done in a snap.
You don’t have to guess if your employees pencil-whipped their hours because it is tracked in an integrated system through their exact login code.
You don’t have to toggle between programs to calculate pricing and send quotes or confirm that your quote was received, opened, and signed.
Everything is in one place.
It’s all in there. All the information you have ever desired in a Manufacturing ERP is locked and loaded in your job shop software.
Let’s explore the 10 stand-alone software subscriptions that you can cancel when you implement Steelhead’s manufacturing ERP.
10 Ways to Use All-In-One Job Shop Software
ONE. Timesheets & Workforce Management
In the fast-paced and dynamic world of manufacturing, every second holds immense value, making streamlined time management solutions more crucial than ever. According to a recent industry survey, 75% of manufacturing organizations reported that implementing effective time management tools significantly improved their overall operational efficiency. This emphasizes the direct correlation between time management practices and the success of your job shop.
Manufacturing frontline workers often juggle multiple responsibilities, and precise time tracking is essential for accurate project costing, resource allocation, and performance evaluation. Steelhead's Timesheets offer a robust method for tracking time on the job, allowing workers to clock both working hours and time off with precision.
The sorting capabilities of Timesheets, including Time off sets and time off types, enhance flexibility for users. These features are particularly useful for grouping time off allocations, allowing for seamless adjustments and simultaneous toggling of multiple time-off categories. To further support users, we have invested in comprehensive user documentation, ensuring that manufacturing frontline workers can maximize the benefits of the software, promoting widespread adoption and adherence to efficient time management practices.
TWO. Production Scheduling & Capacity Planning
One study found that 80% of manufacturing downtime is attributed to inefficient time management and inadequate resource allocation. This statistic underscores the financial impact of poor time management practices, making the need for a comprehensive solution like Steelhead's production scheduling and capacity planning tools even more evident.
With Steelhead’s drag-and-drop production scheduling technology, you can effortlessly plan for work orders on the horizon. This proactive approach not only provides accurate lead times but also eradicates potential production bottlenecks. The scheduling features within Steelhead offer the flexibility for instant rearrangement of work across the entire plant, fostering efficient resource allocation. By embracing integrated scheduling solutions, manufacturers can enhance on-time delivery performance, mitigate customer frustrations, and elevate overall operational efficiency.
THREE. Quality Management (QMS)
Quality Management is a linchpin for success, ensuring that products meet the highest standards while complying with stringent regulatory requirements. According to Aberdeen Group, a staggering 57% of manufacturers have witnessed improved product quality through the implementation of integrated Quality Management Systems (QMS). This compelling statistic underscores the pivotal role an organized and integrated QMS process plays in elevating overall quality.
Steelhead's Quality Management System replaces stand-alone solutions or paper checklists. The QMS feature incorporates a comprehensive dashboard designed for tracking and managing orders that fall short of established quality standards. This functionality allows job shops to efficiently:
- place parts on hold
- create Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs)
- generate Corrective Action Reports (CARs)
By streamlining the quality control process through these integrated features, Steelhead's QMS not only ensures adherence to regulatory standards but also facilitates quick identification and resolution of quality issues. This not only bolsters the reputation of process manufacturing and metal finishing job shops but also enhances operational efficiency by saving time and freeing up valuable resources for other critical tasks.
FOUR. Inventory Management
Accurate, real-time inventory management stands as a cornerstone in the manufacturing industry, playing a pivotal role in facilitating fast lead times and ensuring efficient order fulfillment. A study conducted by Wasp Barcode Technologies sheds light on the challenges faced by manufacturers, with 46% reporting difficulties associated with manual inventory tracking. This underscores the demand for integrated solutions that can streamline and automate inventory management.
Traditionally the reliance on manual inventory checks often leads to inefficiencies and delays. Manufacturers frequently find themselves physically returning to the warehouse to assess inventory levels before commencing an order. This manual process is time-consuming and prone to errors, creating a bottleneck in the production workflow.
Steelhead Inventory Management feature offers a real-time view of inventory levels. By simplifying batch tracking and providing an easy mechanism for adding new inventory batches, Steelhead's centralized approach eliminates the need for standalone inventory management software. This significantly improves accuracy and efficiency. It also supports manufacturers in establishing precise reorder timelines, contributing to faster lead times and improved customer satisfaction.
FIVE. Order Instructions & Employee Training
The onboarding process for new employees can be notoriously time-consuming, particularly in manufacturing where detailed work order instructions play a crucial role. The Manufacturing Institute reports that 62% of manufacturers acknowledge the efficiency improvements brought about by digital instructions in production.
Steelhead recognizes the challenges associated with employee onboarding and addresses them through its digital instructions, offering comprehensive and detailed instructions for tasks on the plant floor. This includes precise assignments of customer and part numbers, reducing ambiguity, and ensuring that new employees have clear guidance for their responsibilities.
Steelhead goes beyond traditional instructions by allowing step-by-step completion of recipes, with features that enable employees to mark parts as complete at each stage. To further enhance comprehension, the system incorporates photo and video instructions, offering a visual aid that proves invaluable, especially for non-English speakers.
This technology not only accelerates the onboarding process but also ensures that all employees, regardless of language proficiency, can easily understand and fulfill production requirements. The system's ability to provide real-time and historical details on part location offers deep insights into job costing, production performance, and more, contributing to overall operational excellence and efficiency.
SIX. Automated & Optimized Quoting
According to the Aberdeen Group, manufacturers employing integrated quoting solutions experience a notable 20% reduction in quote-to-cash cycles. Steelhead ERP recognizes the significance of this statistic and actively contributes to streamlining the quoting process.
The quoting feature within Steelhead’s manufacturing ERP is designed to expedite quote generation, ensuring extremely fast responses to sales inquiries. It efficiently generates professional PDF quotes, seamlessly integrating relevant data from various modules within the software. This not only expedites the quoting process but also enhances accuracy by minimizing manual data entry errors. The incorporation of custom quote stages further refines workflows, allowing for a more tailored and efficient approach to managing the entire quoting lifecycle.
SEVEN. Shipping, Receiving & Logistics
The integration of digital systems becomes increasingly crucial as the manufacturing process extends beyond the production floor. A study conducted by FedEx underscores this point, revealing that 70% of manufacturers believe integrated shipping solutions play a pivotal role in enhancing customer satisfaction. Recognizing that customer satisfaction is an ongoing commitment, it is imperative to provide visibility and transparency throughout the entire order fulfillment process, extending from production to delivery. Customers value information and clarity, and maintaining a seamless flow of communication until they receive their orders is integral to fostering positive customer experiences.
The shipping dashboards offer a comprehensive view of received part numbers and inventory, simplifying the tracking and management of incoming shipments. The system further includes a shipment manager that facilitates the scheduling and tracking of packages, thereby streamlining the entire logistics process. The logistics tracking feature, including the innovative Truck Mode, enables users to access a dedicated Trucking Dashboard displaying packing slips and bills of lading that require signing. By providing such visibility and transparency, Steelhead ensures that manufacturers can not only meet but exceed customer expectations in the crucial phase of order fulfillment.
EIGHT. Job Costing & Margin Analysis
One significant advantage of Steelhead's job shop software is its ability to provide manufacturing job costing by facilitating labor and operation costing for various workstations. This feature enables organizations to gain insights into resource utilization, identify bottlenecks, and optimize workflows for increased efficiency. Additionally, the software offers specialized timers for individual parts, ensuring that the time spent on each component is accurately recorded, contributing to better cost management and project planning.
NINE. Cyber Security & IT Support
A Deloitte survey revealed that 68% of manufacturers prioritize cybersecurity in their technology investments, recognizing the essential role it plays in maintaining customer relationships. Given the increasing digitalization of operations, companies understand the importance of a robust cybersecurity system to safeguard sensitive information and ensure the trust of their clientele.
In response to evolving cybersecurity challenges, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommends that U.S. manufacturers enhance their computer systems to comply with new regulations. The updated SBOM Requirements for Critical Software introduce a crucial requirement for manufacturers to maintain a formal record detailing software components and their supply chain relationships.
This initiative proves beneficial for developers, vendors, and operators by ensuring the currency of components, assessing risks, and effectively managing vulnerabilities. However, this shift towards compliance is resulting in unforeseen expenses for numerous metal finishing companies collaborating with large manufacturers.
Steelhead addresses these challenges by offering technical expertise and additional security parameters through services like the Gov+ package. This comprehensive package not only aids companies in understanding and preparing for cybersecurity threats but also ensures a secure environment with encrypted data. The Gov+ package provides a cost-effective alternative to hiring in-house personnel or expensive IT consultants, making cybersecurity measures more accessible for businesses in the metal finishing industry.
TEN. Customer Portal
Forrester Research highlights that a significant 73% of consumers prefer self-service portals for accessing order documentation and tracking order status, surpassing reliance on customer service representatives. The impact of this preference is evident in Zendesk's findings, indicating that companies offering self-service options witnessed a remarkable 33% increase in overall customer satisfaction. This statistic underscores the positive influence of providing customers with DIY access to order documentation, shipping updates, certifications, and order status on their satisfaction levels.
Enter the Steelhead Customer Portal – envision the efficiency of Amazon's portal experience, now customized for the manufacturing services industry! Once set up in Steelhead, simply share a unique link with your customers, bridging the gap for a lightning-fast, seamless experience! With an Amazon-style experience, you can:
- Eliminate the Guesswork: just like Amazon, you can now dive into the portal to effortlessly track orders, quotes, searches, purchase orders, shipping, and invoices in REAL TIME.
- Keep Customers Informed: Keep customers for life by offering quality tracking for RMA's and NCRs to build trust and transparency!
- Communicate Effectively: Broadcast vendor-specific messages directly into the portal for unified communication among key stakeholders.
It's not just about winning on service – it's about dominating with lead time and quality. Say goodbye to price wars and hello to the Steelhead advantage!
The customer service portal within Steelhead's job shop manufacturing ERP eliminates manual customer service inquiries, redundant emails, and homegrown solutions. Customers gain easy access to documents and order information, including quotes, work orders, certificates, and more, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience.