Traceability is essentially the monitoring, tracking, and recording of products, parts, and materials through a manufacturing production process, from inital goods in through assembly and production and on to final delivery. It is the ability to look at a part and see where it started its life, where it concluded, and everything that happened to it in between. But it is also the ability to expand upon that journey to see the associated lifecycle of the parts, tools, or materials it has interacted with along the way, such as which test rig was used to test the assembly and when was it last calibrated? What adhesive was used to assemble the part? Who supplied it and when did it expire?
The level of traceability needed will vary between industries and also businesses and be dependent on things such as certifications or the type of customer you are supplying. In today's competitive global market, traceability is becoming an integral part of the production process, driving consistent quality & efficiency, accommodating ISO accreditations, and reducing the likelihood of product recalls helping to create a trusted brand image. However, a robust traceability system can become a time-consuming task without the help of a comprehensive ERP system.
This is where MIETrak Pro ERP software shines, supplied as a complete production control package which is essential when trying to mitigate risks and achieve true traceability. Many ERP systems contain isolated modules where information can only be captured at certain points, but true traceability requires a holistic view of every stage in a product's life cycle including supplier information, what employee or machine worked on a specific item and batch number traceability. Only by using one system to manage every step in a manufactured part's lifecycle can you be truly confident that you have achieved end-to-end, fully connected traceability and manage product risk effectively.
Another way MIETrak pro ERP software can help with traceability is by automatically capturing and linking information together. By performing processes using the system, the ERP software links everything behind the scenes. When you need to investigate and look into a product recall for instance all the information from that particular product journey through the factory is readily available in a centralised system. MIETrak Pro goes even further and can control each step of your process, ensuring that production can't move forward without all the correct parts being used, inspections taking place, and notes recorded.
MIETrak Pro has been credited by customer Jack Nicholas Group ‘as the reason for achieving ISO9001 accreditation and providing the company with the tools to expand production capabilities whilst delivering the same top quality their customers are accustomed too. Managing Director Jack comments “Through MIETrak Pro we can ensure that every step of a product's lifecycle is documented and tracked according to ISO9001 standards which has been a critical factor in obtaining the accreditation. We now automate the generation of production orders, track the movement of inventory items, and record the results of quality tests and modifications to a product or process within the ERP- all of which have contributed to establishing a robust traceability system.”
In conclusion, true traceability is more than just a tick-box exercise it will ultimately enhance your reputation for both service and product quality and arm you with the tools to respond effectively in the event a product does not pass quality standards or needs recalling. ERP will give you the tools to answer questions such as: How easy is it for a manufacturer to know what the source of a problem is? Was it a faulty part? Was the manufacturing process not followed correctly? Did something go wrong in testing? How many other products are affected? • How many have been shipped, and what customers have they been sent to? Is there a personnel issue with the same employee failing to meet standards? But the real question is, in today's manufacturing environment can you afford to not know the answer to any of these questions?
For a free no obligation demonstration of the MIETrak Pro ERP software please either call 01527 576444 or email [email protected]