Trevon Industrial Finishers
History
Over fifteen years ago Trevon Industrial Finishers Ltd contacted us with a view to having some software written to help them with their business. As their name suggests Trevon specialise in providing high quality industrial finishes and coatings to all manner of bespoke items of various shapes, sizes and configurations for many different business sectors.
They wanted help with both their stock control, which was more unusual powder stock, and also a system that could provide detailed instructions to the shop floor, assisting with the high complexity and variety of jobs they undertake.
They decided that off-the-shelf software systems wouldn’t perform in the way that they’d like, so they approached and commissioned us to provide the bespoke software they wanted.
A central server was installed which housed the bespoke database to store the information required to support the system. Bespoke programs were developed and installed on local networked Windows-based PC’s to fulfil the software requirement.
The system operated without intervention for fifteen years with only periodic hardware upgrades requiring support.
Recent times
More recently Trevon have requested our assistance again to enhance and build upon the system they already have. This time the requirement is somewhat broader, with a brief not only to cover stock control and job instructions, but to link those elements to a much larger and newer system which encompasses other key elements of the business such as job scheduling and tracking, job and operating procedures, and costing/pricing. The project has a short as well as a medium term plan to develop the system in stages, with the completed IT system eventually touching most areas of the business.
A decision was made to develop the system as a web based intranet, where Trevon would retain an on-site server and database to hold all the information as with their previous system, with the software front-end written as web pages. This means no software to install on the computers around the office or on the shop floor.
This also allows for the use of smaller, more cost-effective and easier to replace equipment on the shop floor as well as in the office areas, which is an important consideration within the environment in which they operate. This system is platform independent so that MS Windows, Apple Mac and tablet devices can be used on the shop floor and around the office to view and operate the system. Together with a responsive layout design, literally anything with a browser can be used.
The first stage of the new project consisted of laying the new server foundations and developing the initial shop floor scheduling and job tracking elements. This has been successfully rolled out and is live. Below you can view some sample screenshots of this system.
The future
Having received very positive feedback on its use, further development to assist with other areas of the business are expected to progress in the months ahead, in line with the medium term plan that Trevon are working toward. “We are a medium sized powder coating business and for several years we have been at full capacity so we needed to find ways to become more efficient as we were reluctant to expand. We were also attracting customers whose jobs required specific coating systems, preparation, masking, packing, etc. All this comes with more information and this needed to be recorded and directed to the correct depts. so they had all the information to complete the job correctly and on time. Customers were also demanding a quick turnaround yet we didn’t want to cut corners on quality and processes we use so efficiency became key. To do this I looked at our production process. As it was all paper based it was a simple decision to look at computerising the production and scheduling system. Powder stock and job procedures followed. The system introduced enabled quick access to all these areas to be able to view, input and change the information. All depts. had direct access to the areas they needed too via a monitor with appropriate scheduling information on it. It is proving invaluable to the business; we are more efficient, mistakes have reduced, we have traceability of jobs and customers appreciate our commitment and the investment made. The employees also feel they are playing more of a part of the company. From conception to development, CBS understood all my needs and interpreted them extremely well to produce a simple, user friendly interface that caters for all the aspects of our business I asked for. Timescales were agreed and were always met. Meetings were held at agreed times to demonstrate the new programs before roll out and discuss the future requirements for each area of the system. Any gremlins found in the software are swiftly dealt with and any alterations to the program are discussed and implemented as I feedback our findings whilst using the system day to day.”
