Manufacturing data collection systems help you administratively in a number of areas. It's more than data collection; manufacturing data software and hardware offer up-to-the-minute information to anyone who needs it. Real-time manufacturing data solutions to cover jobs, employees and shop machines is available to meet your data collection in manufacturing needs.

Data collection for manufacturing needs are varied. Add to this the diversity of industries needing custom hardware and software for manufacturing data and it seems overwhelming. Consider the following when determining your company's needs for manufacturing data management.

1. Consider manufacturing data collection systems that cover on-site and off-site needs.

2. Look for custom manufacturing data solutions for industry-specific needs.

3. Shop for data collection manufacturing products to upgrade a current manufacturing data application or meet custom manufacturing needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Select manufacturing data systems that cover on-site and off-site needs

The manufacturing data package you select should encompass a wide range of services. A manufacturing data program collects data from people and machines. Real-time manufacturing data measures productivity at many levels. This data is shared between jobs performed on-site and in the field, and the manufacturing data application brings this data together for timely and accurate reporting.

I recommend: Sign up for free research from Factivity in addition to reviewing its products and services. Shop Floor Automations Inc. brings the latest offerings to monitor day-to-day operations with real-time manufacturing data systems. Consider Epic Data International Inc. for bar code systems, 2D data matrix systems and RFID systems.

Look for a custom manufacturing data solution

A company in a unique industry needs a custom manufacturing data application. In addition, a smaller manufacturing business may find all the bells and whistles of a complete manufacturing data package more than is needed for its day-to-day operations. Custom manufacturing data software brings an a la carte feel to the process of selecting just the manufacturing systems you need.

I recommend: Try DBA Software Inc. for its simplicity meeting small business manufacturing data software needs. Maintainable Software, LLC offers a suite of development services and works with your company from development through training.

Shop for data collection manufacturing products

Data collection manufacturing products are necessary in the majority of manufacturing data systems. Custom manufacturing needs may dictate the use of unique collection products or specialty data collection terminals. The inclusion of these products in your manufacturing data program assist your business in a number of ways including productivity and safety.

I recommend: Check out Dataloggerinc for equipment to measure temperature, force and strain, voltage, and a myriad of other data loggers used in data collection for manufacturing. Data Net provides bar code scanners and printers, RFID readers and printers, and data collection terminals.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  One size does not fit all. Inquire about and utilize custom services when needed. Most manufacturing data collection companies provide technical staff for custom applications that work with their software.