DiMS! launches new version of tracking tool

DiMS! organizing print, a supplier of MIS/ERP systems, has released an extended version of its Advanced Production Tracking tool. Integrated with the core DiMS! system’s web-enabled workflow, the DiMS! Advanced Production Tracking tool is a robust feature that enables efficient production via immediate communication to and from the production floor. It communicates directly with the DiMS! server, providing real-time feedback regarding status and required tasks to all parties connected with a particular job. 

Data collection using DiMS! Advanced Production Tracking includes touch-screens and hand-held (wireless) devices for scanning material and goods to improve the flow of work and material. Barcoded documents and pallet tags are used for scanning and tracking from raw material to finished products, in single plants as well as across vertically integrated plants, warehouse locations and distribution centers. 

The bar-coded pallet tags also enables DiMS! Advanced Production Tracking to follow all inbound and outbound material movements. Ordered, shipped and received quantities are tracked along with raw material and fabrication authorizations as part of the planning process that extends throughout the supply-chain. Complete tracking is also available for in-transit shipments from suppliers and subcontractors to manufacturing plants and across warehouse locations. Specific data from all these areas is retained for traceability. 

In addition to monitoring run times, stop times, wait times and maintenance times for each machine, a time registration functionality also includes overall registered hours. This allows an analysis to determine how much time each machine consumed overall.  

The Advanced Production Tracking tool also provides continuously 100 percent up-to-date Job Tickets. Either displayed on-screen, or in hard copy, these Job Tickets ensure that everyone in the production workflow has real-time information anytime, anyplace, anywhere. 

DiMS!’ production tracking feature is JDF-certified, or can use other XML transactions to interface with both conventional and digital presses as well as leading pre-press software. It can interface to all necessary production equipment. This allows the exchange of information between the production floor and the entire management system.  

The extensive communication between DiMS! Advanced Production Tracking and DiMS! Scheduling ensures that the system always provides the most effective planning. This ultimately results in fewer edition changes and less makeready waste. Since every workstation crew has a detailed insight into their waste percentages, a healthy competitiveness between them is often the positive outcome of the availability of this data. 

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