Manufacturing Timesheet and Time Tracking

Manufacturing and time tracking have been a pair since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Time studies transformed Henry Ford from a craftsman to the leader in manufacturing automation. And Ford has stayed there ever since.

With Barcode, RFID and Mag Card Reader Videos

The links below will inspire changes in your manufacturing operation. Scroll down and click one. Watch the video behind it. Then come back and click another. Watch every video. Now consider how your operation can improve. What changes can you make? How big might those changes be for you? How much will they cost, and how much will they save? Will those changes help you migrate from old technology to new?

If you're not moving forward, you are standing still!

Change may come from barcode scanning, magnetic card readers, RFID, an engineering timesheet, project management techniques, or some other unexpected source. Let this be the beginning of something new. Don't say, I'll watch those videos later. Commit your time now, and set something else aside. This is worth investing in.

Barcode Scanning Videos

Learn the basics of tracking manufacturing time with a single barcode scanner

Take your manufacturing barcode scanner a step further. Scan projects, tasks, categories.

Attach multiple barcode scanners to a single PC. Set default values to automate scanning.

Magnetic Card Readers and RFID Tag Readers

Start and stop a timer with a mag card reader. Collect employee and product timestamps for every card swipe.

Start a timer with an RFID tag reader. Use contactless proximity cards to start a timer and collect manufacturing and employee intel.

Choose the RFID tags that work for your operation and budget. Here is a large selection of employee prox cards, tags, fobs, and adhesive RFID tags.

How to Print Barcode Labels for Mfg and Assembly

Print barcode labels with MS Word. Just download a barcode font, select some text and choose that font. Then print!

Choose a project and get a page with barcode labels for that project and the tasks under it.

Use the Barcode Builder™ app to print sequential labels on Avery® Template 5160® stickers.rint sequential labels on Avery® Template 5160® stickers.

Manufacturing and Engineering Timesheets

Create project tasks for time tracking by scanning barcode labels and RFID tags. After creating the tasks, scan those same labels to track hours.

Manufacturing Timesheet Learn why this timesheet works best for manufacturing and assembly shops with employees using barcode scanners and entering hours.

Engineering Timesheet Learn why engineering and manufacturing shops prefer this timesheet where engineers can manage their own project tasks.

Project Management Techniques

Ten Tools for the Project Management Office. Assign projects and tasks, view employee availability, and manage projects better.

Project Task Linking. Some tasks cannot start until others are finished. Compute finish dates, and link tasks to them.

Project Resource Allocation. Assign tasks to engineers and see how their schedule is impacted.

Download the Employee Timesheet

Now that you have seen some new ideas, consider downloading the ST timesheet and trying some of the techniques shown here.

Some advice to consider

Start simple. 

All the devices shown here are inexpensive and easy to install. Every one of them can be purchased from amazon.com for under fifty bucks. Every one emulates keyboards using USB, so there are no drivers to install. No IT support needed... it's just plug and play. ST works with every one, and can start timers for any device. Once you get started tracking time on the shop floor, then you can upgrade to ruggedized wireless units suitable for manufacturing use.

Start local. 

Don't worry about connecting all the computers on the shop floor to a shared SQL database. Start scanning and swiping on your local machine, in your own office. Print out some barcode labels and scan them to test. After you have proven the idea, enlarge the test with some computers on the floor. Involve some trusted employees, and learn before implementing ST in production. Once the system is proven, then use a shared SQL database for all shop floor computers, management, and executives. Everybody will see the same numbers, same reports, same results.

Learn everything.

Go through the entire timesheet, time log, and project management features. Don't stop until you understand it all. You'll find something for everyone. There are scanning and swiping features for the manufacturing and assembly operators. There are project management features for managers. And there are reports for executives. That covers the entire enterprise. Everyone runs the same system, and contributes in some way. There's a lot to learn, so don't stop after the basics. Get the meat too.


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