ANR BENEFITS FROM PSL DATATRACK’S PRODUCTION CONTROL CAPABILITY

PSL Datatrack production control software has many applications specifically within the sub-contract engineering sector. Its capabilities, however, make it suitable for many other batch production assembly applications in different markets. Indeed PSL Datatrack has been an important factor in the growth and success of ANR, the specialist sub-contractor for both the electronics and engineering industries.  With ISO 9001:2008 accreditation, ANR has relied upon PSL Datatrack software for over 10 years to ensure careful monitoring and control of every project that goes through its factory in Bourne End, Bucks.

ANR provides its sub-contract services to a wide base of OEM and blue chip customers, many of whom have been clients for many years and are a testament to the level of service provided by the company. ANR moved to its current HQ in 2008 which has a large split-level facility featuring four distinct electronics divisions on the first floor, where PSL Datatrack controls the PCB assembly, cable assemblies and harnessing, box build and turnkey operations. In the last couple of years the company has produced over 120,000 PCB assemblies per year, of many different types and batch sizes.

On the ground floor, PSL Datatrack helps the company manage a modern machine shop equipped with high precision CNC multi-axis machines offers precision milling and turning capabilities.

The challenge for ANR has been to provide a continuously high level of product quality, service and on-time every time deliveries to all its customers from sectors as diverse as the broadcasting industry, aerospace, CCTV, medical, marine, defence and design houses. 

ANR’s initial investment in PSL Datatrack came as the result of recognition that it needed to address the burden of manual administration associated with the purchase of materials and components needed for the manufacture of its fast growing range of assembly types.

After examination of business administration software packages available, ANR selected the PSL Datatrack package primarily because of its suitability and proven track record in the engineering sub-contractor sector. “First and foremost, we are a product manufacturer and PSL Datatrack was already proven as a highly efficient system, being used extensively in a number of complex engineering businesses and batch assembly operations similar to our own,” says ANR Director Nick Wilson.

The PSL Datatrack software system was tailored specifically to suit ANR’s unique and widely diversified requirements. Since its installation, PSL Datatrack has controlled ANR’s product manufacture and associated administration processes, in a seamless implementation with previous working practice and procedures. PSL Datatrack is used to order the materials, verify delivery dates and allocate shop floor production time.  It has given the company the ability to monitor and control any project right from the start, maintaining engineering process records and traceable details of over 13000 individual materials.

Information covering bill of materials and the generation of goods received notes, works orders, process layout, inspection report data, bar code identification, despatch notes and invoices are all managed by Datatrack. Assembly build and process layouts are recorded for future and similar build requirements.

According to Feyaz Sheikh, Procurement Manager at ANR, “The PSL Datatrack system works around us and is ensuring we manage the business effectively, now that it is increasing. There are so many different product types which are manufactured repeatedly and PSL Datatrack enables us to manage this level of production effectively.”

For PCB and cable assemblies, PSL Datatrack has enabled ANR to offer customers flexible stock control, through free issue on-site and procured materials inventories.

PSL Datatrack also ensures that materials, and components, manufactured or purchased and batch/project traceability are maintained in absolute detail and readily accessible for stringent quality checks.

For ANR, one of the additional benefit of PSL Datatrack is the facility to monitor and report suppliers’ performance and highlight late deliveries. PSL Datatrack can also be used to generate a range of other reports such as value of sales to stock and other critical management accounting information.

The value of PSL Datatrack to ANR is now also being visibly demonstrated throughout the company’s production areas and management offices with the phased roll out of the Status Board display system. The displays provide real time status information for all outstanding jobs highlighting Work-To lists, Bill of Materials acquisition and allocation progress, an estimate of assembly completion dates and an early warning alert of any jobs that may run beyond promised deliver dates.

For more information, visit www.psldatatrack.com or contact;
PSL Datatrack, Lily Hill House, Lily Hill Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 2SJ
Tel: +44 (0) 8456 345931
Fax: +44 (0) 8707 064851
Email: sales@psldatatrack.com