In addressing the specific needs of our large steel fabricator client, I spearheaded the development of a robust labor costing feature within our custom Material Requirements Planning (MRP) solution. The primary objective was to enhance material-labor traceability by meticulously tracking labor utilization for materials. To achieve this, we designed a comprehensive workflow that seamlessly integrated with the client’s manufacturing processes. This innovative solution featured a barcode scanning capability, allowing for efficient tracking of inventory serials associated with materials cut. Users could either scan serials or manually select items from a list, streamlining the workflow for both barcoded and non-barcoded materials.
The system enabled users to manage materials dynamically, providing options to either scrap them or return them to inventory. In cases where materials were returned to inventory, the system automatically generated a new inventory serial, ensuring accurate and traceable records. Time tracking was automated through a clock mechanism that initiated when an activity commenced.
This time tracking data was then integrated into an administrative dashboard, offering management the ability to modify and approve time entries. Notably, one of the key challenges addressed was concurrency handling, given the complexity of various use cases that emerged during the operationalization of this feature.
We implemented user interface prompts to guide users through the process, enabling them to seamlessly take over cuts while retaining the previous efforts of their colleagues, ensuring a streamlined and error-resistant workflow.