Shop Management in the Cloud
Cloud computing is the technology of the future. Cloud computing utilizes the web to process transactions and store data instead a local computer network. The applications and information you need are not confined to your company̵= 7;s hard drive or an internal network; they are stored on servers in a cloud-computing data center, or “in the cloud.”
Use of the internet to access a bank account, pay a bi= ll on-line, or chat with friends on Twitter or Facebook are all examples of cl= oud computing. A shop owner, its employees, and its clients can access the cloud anywhere in the world via t= he web. Cloud computing eliminates the need to spend time and money managing a= n in house based network.
Today’s job shop needs every advantage to compet= e in the highly competitive manufacturing environment. Advances made in the speed, reliab= ility, and availability of the internet gives the modern shop tools to better mana= ge business operations. Cloud ba= sed shop management software offers superior function, performance, and cost savings over old legacy server based systems. In a cloud based system all access= is performed through a web browser and there is no expensive network server to maintain.
Overview
A steel processing company manages its operations R= 16;in the cloud’. The production process entails the storage and leveling of large steel coils into specified sizes of sheet or plate. Upon arrival, the customer’s coil is weighed, a digital photo is taken, and the coil is identified with a system generated bar code tag. The customer uses a web connection= to inquire on inventory, view an image of the coil, place a leveling order, and access order history via a secure login.
In the cloud based system, email is the primary method= of communication between the shop and the customer. A truck delivers a coil and a syst= em generated email confirms its arrival into inventory. Once a coil is in inventory, the customer can log into the site, select a coil, and enter an order to the le= vel the coil. This generates a leveling order which appears on the shop backlog screen. The shop completes the order and the leveled parts are put into the customer’s inventory. An email notification is sent to the customer, = an email is sent to the shop office, and an invoice is generated and emailed to the customer. The customer lo= gs into the site and schedules a pick up of the completed job. A text message is sent to the shop foreman notifying the arrival of a truck for pickup. The leveled product is pulled from stock and loaded onto the customer’s truck. The bar code label of each lift is scanned to confirm the pick up is complete. The driver’s electronic signature is captured and the shipping document is emailed to the customer. The completed transaction can be viewed by the customer via the brief history screen.
Customer, Use=
r, and
Administrative Access
The system is divided into three distinct access level= s, secured by three separate logins; customer, shop, and administration.
The customer login allows access to a specific customer’s information. Access is exclusive to a single customer. Security is in place to insure that a specific customer cannot access anoth= er customer’s information. The customer can place an order, view inventory levels, view images of coils, a= nd access the brief history of order release information and production result= s.
The shop login permits access to all production and sh= op related functions. The shop c= an access and modify all customers’ inventory and production information. The shop login is used to receive customer material into inventory, take a physical inventory, process leveling orders, and transfer and release produ= ct to the customer.
The administration login is limited to those with a sy= stem administrative security level. The administration module is used to setup customers, assign passwords, access pricing tables and perform other administrative tasks.
Advantages of=
a Cloud
Based System.
Access to a cloud based system is available anywhere t= he internet can be accessed, including a cell phone, iPad, and any other web-enabled device. A cloud based system is a hosted application where the programs and files reside on a rem= ote server maintained by a web hosting company. The web hosting company is responsible for maintaining the hardware and performing data backups. A recurring fee is paid to host the application. These companies are in the business of hosting web applications and the good ones typically maintain state-of- the art equipment. <= /span>
Another advantage of a Web based system is platform independence. All that is required is access to =
the
Internet. It is not limited to one operating system. It can be accessed by a Windows, A=
pple,
Android, or Linux based computer.
Cell Phone and
Texting
The cell phone plays an important role in the cloud ba= sed manufacturing system. Today&#= 8217;s smart phone can perform the same functions as a computer. The cell phone eliminates the need to be at the office to access and process information.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> A salesperson can remotely verify inventory, inquire on order status, and even place an order. Management personnel can review production, sales, and accounting information from home or anywhere there is cell reception.
All cell phones have texting capabilities. A cloud bas= ed system incorporates this technology. Texting ca= n play a role in alerting manufacturing personnel of important action items or a pending large order. The Cloud based system can alert employees via a text a message when a truck arrives = to be loaded or a hot job is booked. This frees the shop employees from the need of being in front of a computer screen to be notified of shop action items.
Customer
Visibility =
One of the goals of any business is to make it conveni= ent for the customer to do business with you. The cloud enabled shop is open 24 hours a day, 7 day= s a week and can be accessed from anywhere in the world. The customer has more visibility to its own information in a cloud based system. The customer can remotely access inventory information, place orders, review order history, and receive real time status of production with a few clicks of the mouse. There is no need = for a disruptive phone call. The customer just brings up a web page and retrieves the necessary information.
Email Communi= cation
Email is the primary communication tool in the cloud b= ased manufacturing environment. In= stead of a phone call or the US Mail, email is the primary communication tool use= d to notify the customer and the office of shop activities. Any time inventory is received, cu= stomer orders are placed, production is performed, and shipments are made, an emai= l is sent to inform the shop and the customer of the transaction. In a cloud based system, specific = stages in the manufacturing cycle can be specified to send an email notification.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>
Bar Code
Bar code technology improves inventory accuracy by eliminating the possibility of typing in an incorrect number. A bar code ta= g is generated with a unique tag number when a coil is received into inventory.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Leveled product is tagged with a u= nique bar code when the coil is leveled. Upon shipment, the bar code tag is scann= ed to confirm all products on the release order are actually loaded on the tru= ck.
Bar code technology is also used to perform a physical
inventory. Each product is identified with a unique bar coded tag number.
Security
Security is a major concern with a cloud based system.=
It
may seem that the data is less secure because it is stored in an off-site
location far away. In the pas=
t, a
company was responsible for its own data back-ups. Mistakes or hardware
malfunctions could actually put that data at risk. Actually, it may be more
secure in a cloud based system because data backups are the responsibility =
of
the web host.
Just as one can securely use the Web to access a bank account or pay a bill=
on
line, one can secure a Web based manufacturing system. Companies using a Web based system=
must
be vigilant with regard to security.
Company policies need to be clear about securing passwords. Passwords must be deleted when an
employee is no longer employed.
Passwords should be changed frequently and not easily guessed.
Conclusion
The 21st century shop need not run on 20