Sub-CNC Precision, a privately owned subcontractor specialising in the machining of high quality turned and milled components has invested in PSL Datatrack production control software to provide greater control over the business, improve efficiency and save time whilst maintaining a highly reliable service to all customers in terms of both product quality and customer service. Over the last five years Sub-CNC has invested in the latest production technology, remote monitoring services including CCTV and machine diagnostics to support unmanned machining. Investment in PSL Datatrack software for stock control, work in progress and scheduling control, as well as other administration tasks is now making a major contribution to the company's continuing success.

Sub-CNC supplies turned parts in high volumes and provide a stock holding service for its customers. This has proved popular, particularly over the last 18 months, helping the company to secure longer-term orders and giving customers the benefit of next day deliveries and cost reductions for higher volumes. State-of-the-art Citizen & Miyano machine tools enable Sub-CNC to achieve competitive cycle times whilst PSL Datatrack enables efficient workload planning throughout the workshop.

Prior to investing in PSL Datatrack, Sub-CNC used a combination of Word and Excel files to manage the administration of the business. This approach required a lot of repetitive data entry, had become very time consuming and, as the business grew, was prone to error even for simple tasks such as producing delivery notes and certificates of conformity.           

George Dingley, Director of Sub-CNC, recalls “By the end of 2014 the order throughput and document management of our thriving business had become a handful using our existing in-house system and we took the plunge to get on board with PSL Datatrack.”                                                                   

“The facility to have accurate data, a complete component stock list, and a stream-lined delivery process was very appealing, “says George. “I had used a different system at a previous company and also had an online demonstration of another but we felt that neither of the other systems focussed on what we were trying to achieve. We wanted a system designed for our business, not some huge management system with every bell, whistle and a long learning curve for our staff.”

Both PSL Datatrack and Sub-CNC Precision are members of the BTMA. Informal preliminary discussions had already taken place but it was at a Mach exhibition where PSL Datatrack were exhibiting that George’s eyes were opened to the flexibility that PSL Datatrack manufacturing software could offer.

Sub-CNC Precision was attracted by the flexibility of being able to add features and modules to the system as and when a need arose or their business developed further. PSL Datatrack was very helpful in assisting Sub-CNC to gain grant funding towards the project.

“The system is very logical and like all new systems, staff had to get used to it but it soon became second nature.” Staff got to grips with it and with PSL Datatrack’s help; we were up and running quickly. As a smaller company, we like the fact that there is “no fat” in the PSL Datatrack software and there are no unnecessary areas of the software to distract users.” says Yian Stavrou, Director.

Sub-CNC invested in modules to control Quotations, Sales and Purchase Order-processing, Works Orders, Material Stock, Component Stock, Delivery Notes and Invoicing. Having total control and traceability over every aspect of putting a job through the workshop is a major advantage. There are time savings at every corner and ISO 9001 recertification, which is vital to the company, is now “a breeze by comparison.”

--

The flexibility and timesaving from using the Quotations module is a major benefit. “We often get price break requests on the same part and before PSL Datatrack, these used to sit idle awaiting the effort required to work them out. The module has saved us a lot of time, and I’m confident we are winning more work because we are simply quoting more.” says Yian.

Converting quotations into job cards has been another huge time saving tool. These used to be manually generated in Word and invariably would wait until there was a window of spare time for someone to devote to the task. In extreme cases this could have eaten two weeks into a four-week lead-time on an order before the job card was available on the shop floor, becoming quite stressful during busy periods. Orders are now processed within minutes of them arriving and are acknowledged to the client so that they know it is being dealt with promptly.

PSL Datatrack provided comprehensive support to Sub-CNC at all stages of the purchase and implementation process, particularly to ensure that external documentation was clear and well presented. “Nothing was too much bother for the PSL Datatrack team who designed the layouts to fit our needs. We were even able to have alterations made after the installation as our ideas evolved. Telephone support is always prompt and professional and the system very reliable.” concludes George who, along with his colleagues, is considering further investment in additional PSL Datatrack modules.