Mobility is a business trend that can no longer be overlooked. According to Forbes, 81 percent of CEOs see mobile technologies as being strategically important for their enterprises – and manufacturing is following suit.
In fact, there’s a 33 percent predicted mobility growth in manufacturing through 2017. Because of security and support challenges, manufacturing companies are staying away from personal devices and integrating industrial-grade mobile tablets right into their plants.
Here are some reasons the industry is adopting mobile technology:
- Efficiency. Mobility encourages portable, on-the-go problem solving. This allows manufacturers to access information instantly at their fingertips, no matter where they are – which also reduces costs.
- Project management. Whether it’s managing internal employees, logistics or a supply chain, mobile applications allow for real-time monitoring. Manufacturing leaders can then learn about errors and quickly allocate their resources to solve them.
- Quality control. In manufacturing, an emphasis on quality control is a must. Mobile apps allow users to quickly input information and test products for inspection, ensuring health and safety standards are met.
7 manufacturing apps transforming the industry
Inventory management: Stock Control
Traditional inventory management systems lack precise measurement. This limited visibility results in inaccurate product levels, delayed orders, lost items and redundant manual processes.
Stock Control is an inventory management app that lets users input their items, sort things into categories and associate them with specific locations. They can then import and export this data to CSV for use on PC or Mac.
Within the app, users can access detailed item information, determine item value, manage quantities and categories, create reports and receive shortage alerts.
Employee scheduling: ShiftPlanning
While many companies have shifted their payroll management to automation, it’s surprising how few have adapted to digital employee scheduling programs. Not only can manual schedule creation take a lot of time, but it leaves a lot of room for error.
Shiftplanning, an employee scheduling application, allows manufacturing leaders to automate shifts for an unlimited number of employees. In addition, it lets managers immediately notify employees of schedule changes, track staff attendance (eliminating buddy clocking), comply with union laws and provide employees with up-to-date training on policy changes and procedures.
The app allows employees to access work schedules, request shift and availability changes, swap shifts, review time cards and receive schedule alerts via text messages or email.
Chemical compliance: MSDSonline Mobile App
Hardcopy binders full of material safety data sheets are a thing of the past. Now, speedy access to information is required to have a safer, more productive workplace.
The MSDSonline Mobile App gives full access to a manufacturer’s full chemical inventory and access to SDSs, both on and offline. Through the app, users can manager chemical containers anywhere they are stored, search and deploy safety data sheets, manage and approve chemicals, and increase hazardous chemical information access in areas where the internet is limited.
MSDS has two additional apps that sync with users’ accounts:
- eBinder app allows employees to search and view safety data sheets, product summaries and inventory information from the convenience of any mobile device.
- VelocityEHS is a chemical inventory management system to help better meet a variety of regulatory reporting requirements for EPA, OSHA and other agencies.
Customer relationship management: Salesforce
The digital revolution is disrupting the way manufacturers interact with their customers. Now, 39 percent of manufacturers cite providing faster service and support to customers is how big data can improve their manufacturing performance.
Salesforce, an integrated CRM management system, allows users to coordinate and collaborate with sales teams, service teams and partners. It requires no hardware or software — running entirely on the cloud. The app includes performance charts, intelligent alerts on hot leads, a workspace with built-in guidance and even the ability to create targeted marketing campaigns.
In a world where everything is instant, an application that allows for real-time responses can mean the difference between making a sale or not.
Lean manufacturing: 5S-Lean Audit Checklist
With the industry moving towards an emphasis on efficiency and waste minimization, more and more manufacturing companies are moving towards lean manufacturing processes.
The 5S Lean Manufacturing Audit Checklist Mobile App shows manufacturing managers if their team is in balance with lean goals, allowing them to adjust as needed. It includes 15 key points that are scored based on the 5S Lean Management method.
Additionally, it lets users audit items in their manufacturing operations such as the surrounding area, machines, tools, additives and spare parts, standard procedures, improvement proposals and more.
Food regulations: Food Safety app
Any manufacturing company involved in food processing must follow strict regulations. To keep up with these demanding standards, manufacturing managers need detailed, accurate programs.
Food Safety App creates paperless food and safety forms and reports instantly – accessible with or without internet access – that are backed up with real-time reporting. The app is accessible through a variety of sectors, offering reports such as:
- Temperature checks and monitoring
- Cleaning and maintenance schedules and diaries
- Quality and food safety assessment
- Production and wastage monitoring
Food Safety App also includes on-screen signatures, auto calculations, photo capture, voice recording, instant form validation, notification forms to remind managers of late reports and more.
Industry trends: Manufacturing 360
In order to stay in line with the competition, manufacturers must stay up to date on modern technologies and continuously follow industry trends.
Siemen’s Manufacturing 360 for the iPad explores digital manufacturing in an interactive factory environment. The app covers solutions for manufacturing optimization, integrated planning and production systems and insight into the latest technologies.
Manufacturing 360 includes video demonstrations, case studies, blog posts and tech tips by experts. It also allows manufacturers to engage in online communities and learn right from industry experts.
What’s your favorite manufacturing app? Let us know. Tweet us at @AppleRubber.