Automation of Production Tracking
Automation of Production Tracking and Shop Floor Control
Production tracking is the foundation of any modern manufacturing management system. Its role goes far beyond recording material movements. Production tracking ensures full traceability of raw materials, semi-finished goods, and finished products across every stage of the production cycle. In today’s competitive environment, where speed, accuracy, and transparency are critical, automation of production tracking and shop floor control becomes a strategic necessity.
Key Objectives of Production Tracking
- Recording material flows
From receiving raw materials at the warehouse to their consumption in production and the release of finished goods. - Ensuring traceability
The ability to track each product’s path: from which batch of raw materials it was made, through which operations it passed, and which processes were applied. - Quality control
Linking laboratory results or incoming inspections with specific lots or serial numbers. - Data accuracy
Minimizing human error by using automated identification tools — barcodes, QR codes, RFID tags, and digital product passports.
Serial and Batch Tracking
- Serial number tracking is applied when maximum detail for each individual unit is required. It enables efficient recall management, expiration date tracking, and quick removal of defective items from circulation.
- Batch/lot tracking is used in high-volume production where unit-level tracking is excessive. The focus is on monitoring quality and parameters of the entire batch of raw materials or finished goods.
The Role of Automation
Automation elevates production tracking to a new level:
- Speed — data is collected and updated in real time.
- Accuracy — automated event recording eliminates manual entry errors.
- Integration — seamless connection with procurement, warehouse, production planning, and accounting systems.
- Transparency — managers gain real-time visibility into ongoing processes.
Practical Automation Tools
- Barcode and QR code systems for cost-effective identification.
- RFID tags and readers enabling mass, contactless data collection.
- Digital product passports containing detailed product origin and specifications.
- Integration with ERP and MES/EAM systems to support analytics, forecasting, and production planning.
Conclusion
Automated production tracking and shop floor control are not just tools for accelerating document flow. They form the foundation of a modern digital manufacturing system, ensuring process transparency, quality assurance, and reduced risks related to waste, defects, and inefficient resource use.
