Data analysis is the heart of any well-functioning manufacturing company. Without accurate, real-time data, manufacturing plants are left in the dark about costs, areas that need improvements, quality assurance, employee production, and so many other valuable insights. 

With that in mind, the question is, “What is the best way to collect data in manufacturing?” The answer to that question depends on several factors, including facility size, the type of products manufactured, and resources. 

You can collect data via observation, surveys, end-of-month reports, etc. However, most Lean Six Sigma and Kaizen experts would agree that some form of real-time digital data collection is the best method. 

Continue reading to learn more about the best ways to collect data at your manufacturing plant and how GoCanvas can help. 

How is Data Collected in Manufacturing? 

Modern-day manufacturing involves a lot of machinery, software, calculations, and people. Depending on the type of facility, manufacturers can collect data in various ways, including but not limited to: 

• IoT sensor integration. 
• Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA).
• Radiofrequency identification (RFID).
• Machine integration. 
• Paper forms.
• Observations.
• Surveys.
• Document review (weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.)
• Microsoft Excel and other types of spreadsheets.
• Manufacturing form apps.

While it is essential to collect data, the method of data collection is just as important. In the next section, learn why real-time manufacturing data is beneficial for all manufacturing plants regardless of size. 

Why is Real-Time Manufacturing Data Collection Beneficial? 

If a manufacturer wants to compete in a highly competitive space, they’ll need to improve operations to make it as lean as possible. That means making a product faster, better, less expensive, and more efficient than competitors. 

Collecting data insights from the plant floor can improve your business in the following ways: 

• Better cross-department communication.
• Helps implement lean processes and reduce waste.
• Enhanced decision-making.
• Optimized manufacturing processes.
• Elimination of paper trails.
• Reduced inaccuracies in data collection. 
• Faster response time to issues.
• And more.

What Improvements Can I Make to My Manufacturing Business With Data? 

Suppose your company uses a manufacturing mobile app for quality control and quality assurance. In that case, you can calculate errors committed per day,  the time it takes the average worker to complete a task, material costs, etc. 

Your team can leverage this data to continually improve your manufacturing process until your plant behaves like a well-oiled machine. Additionally, you can use data insights gained from manufacturer apps to: 

• Improve safety.
• Streamline productions efforts. 
• Schedule employees at the right time. 
• Identify trends and problem areas. 
• Better understand training needs .
• Identify, assess, and overcome challenges that hinder growth. 
• Save time and money.

Learn how GoCanvas has helped thousands of companies streamline their processes and improve the bottom line in the next section. 

Try Go-Canvas Manufacturing Apps

Collecting data on paper forms or relying on observations to improve your manufacturing process can lead to unfavorable results. In competitive markets, the more data collection redundancies you have, the more time and information you lose. 

Our manufacturing form apps include countless templates to help streamline your data collection efforts and continuously improve operations. GoCanvas manufacturing templates are customizable, dynamic and help employees submit accurate data in real-time.  

You can use our manufacturing data collection apps to organize work orders, manage doc records, improve floor safety, and more. Browse our vast selection of manufacturing templates and make them your own. Try our manufacturing apps today for free – no credit card required.

Have you ever wondered how manufacturing companies like Nvidia, SpaceX, Tesla, Intel, and Nike remain at the forefront of their industries? Two words: manufacturing workflows. 

These companies obsess over optimizing their manufacturing process. To create and maintain a near-flawless workflow, they collect a lot of data, analyze it, make improvements, and repeat the process over and over. 

If you want your manufacturing business to reach its full potential, one of the best places to start is by implementing apps to improve your manufacturing workflows. Continue reading to learn how. 

What is Workflow in Manufacturing?

A manufacturing workflow essentially details the step-by-step process required to create a product from start to finish. The workflow process begins when the plant receives raw materials and ends when the products are finished. A manufacturing workflow produces a repeatable process, producing consistent and high-quality end products when done correctly. 

Why is Improving Manufacturing Workflow Necessary? 

When a manufacturer monitors workflows, collects real-time data, and makes improvements based on their findings, they can reduce bottlenecks at an incredible pace. If you don’t monitor and continuously improve your workflows, you risk losing time, purchase orders, and damaging your company’s reputation due to bottlenecks in the production process. With that in mind, a few benefits of improving manufacturing processes include: 

• Reduced incidence errors.
• Improved data sharing.
• Higher quality of products.
• Reduced downtime.
• More efficient employees.
• Decreased manufacturing costs.
• Higher rates of compliance.

An optimized workflow makes for happier employees, customers, and business owners. In the section below, learn how a manufacturing app can help automate your processes and save time. 

Steps To Improve Production Workflow

Tools like Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce, and GoCanvas can help to improve workflow. However, you’ll still need to take a few additional steps to instill a strong culture of continuous improvement. 

Before using production workflow software, you should ensure that you set your factory and employees up for success by taking the following steps: 

• Have the right tools and machinery.
• Organize your tools and machinery in an efficient manner.
• Keep your production equipment in top shape.
• Brainstorm with management and employees to create streamlined processes.
• Provide employees with adequate and regular training. 
• Encourage open communication about production line issues and hidden bottlenecks. 

Once you’ve fully committed to the process of workflow management and optimization, you’ll be ready to introduce powerful workflow automation tools and manufacturing apps to take your process improvements to the next level. 

How Can a Manufacturing App Help Improve Workflow? 

GoCanvas’ Manufacturing and Workflow apps help to save you time, money, and a lot of unnecessary headaches. The GoCanvas selection of manufacturing form apps includes templates for manufacturing inspection reviews, work schedule templates, daily production reports, production process documents and so much more. 

Additionally, the GoCanvas Workflow app allows for: 

• Real-time approvals.
• Cross department and inner-team collaborations.
• Powerful automation and access controls.

Are you ready to optimize your manufacturing facility’s workflows? Try GoCanvas For Free – No Credit Card Required.