0% shortage on tools
Streamlined inventory management
Before using MATRIX
Our CAM operator, an expert on tools, handled both tool inventory management and order placement. The tool cribs were located on the second floor of the shop close to the CAM operator so he could physically access the tools to check their specifications and stock levels, and the machine operators had to go upstairs to issue or return the tools they needed for machining.
As our business expanded, we hired more workers and used more tools. The manual inventory tracking method no longer could keep up with the pace, which required over eight hours every month to place orders. It started putting pressure on our manager's primary role as a CAM operator, so we began looking for a more efficient and effective way to manage our inventory. At first, we felt unsure of the cost benefits MATRIX was said to bring us, but it was a big success.
Benefits Brought by MATRIX
MATRIX automatically calculates the appropriate number of tools to be ordered, which allowed anyone on the shop floor to easily place orders regardless of knowledge on tools. Alerts are emailed before hitting the minimum stock level, so we were able to eliminate stock shortages also.
Thanks to MATRIX, the workflow and efficiency of the entire production team improved significantly. The tool cribs are now located on the ground floor, allowing the machine operators to quickly access the necessary tools without going upstairs. Also, the CAM operator could easily check the sizes of the tools by remotely accessing MATRIX from his computer on the second floor. MATRIX no doubt helped us boost our productivity, so it was worth the investment.
Our Unique Idea on Using MATRIX
We print barcodes for the necessary tools on every work order sheet so the operator can easily scan them with MATRIX to issue tools for the job. Because MATRIX allows us to pick up only the scanned items, we were able to prevent our operators from using wrong tools. Also, the work order sheet contains all the required information, so there is no need to access multiple resources to complete the job.
