Total Investment Raises the 'Bar' (Coding)

The 'paperless' factory floor has moved a step closer for Liverpool-based PVC-U fabricator Total Glass following the introduction of the latest barcode scanning technology as part of more than £1 million overall investment in new CNC automated machinery.

The Business Micros' Evolution and EvoNet software package manages all of Total Glass' production and order processing. It provides complete traceability of every single piece of cut profile through bar-coding frames at critical stages of manufacture.

The sophisticated technology is also linked with two new recently-installed Dubus machining centres that have optimised fabrication processes and cut profile wastage by 10%.

As well as improving production efficiencies and quality control, the tracking of individual frames at every stage of fabrication means information on the status of customers' orders is instantly available at the touch of a button.

‘Logistically, the software makes us more efficient and minimises errors, from order-processing right through to final despatch. It even includes instructions on frame assembly, what hardware to use and if there are any specialised requirements. As every piece of profile is given its unique barcode, we can trace where it is at any given moment,’ explains Paul Ierston, Managing Director of Total Glass.

‘So if a customer wants to know about their order, we can let them know immediately without having to make time-consuming checks through piles of paperwork or finding frames. And that has to be good for customer service!’

Previously Operations Director, Paul's New Year promotion allows Group Managing Director Frank Deary to focus on the strategic direction and future growth of the Total Glass Group, which recently included the addition of its aluminium fabricating operation, Total Aluminium.

‘Bar-coding is also very environmentally-friendly as it reduces the amount of paper we use,’ adds Paul. ‘The system also gives us access to useful management data for monitoring factory performance that can highlight areas for attention, for example training or quality issues.’

Graeme Bailey, Sales Director at Business Micros, is delighted with the project. He says: ‘This installation at Total Glass demonstrates really well the potential of our Evolution and EvoNet package to improve competitiveness. As well as maximising production efficiency, it gives the management instant access to vital management information which can have a crucial impact in both short and long term decision making.’

For more information on Total Glass, contact Stuart Waring or Julian Wetherall on 0151 549 2339 or visit the website at http://www.totalglass.com.