Plastics turned parts cost-estimated in minutes

Sub-contractor machinist has installed a production system that produced customer quotations for over 50 components in under 1h, with a well presented quote letter delivered by fax.

Most sub-contractors are already 'lean' at the production level but in order to remain competitive they must deal efficiently with a greater volume of orders whether for 'one-offs' or 1000s and produce all the associated documentation in a well presented and traceable manner.

One sub-contractor achieved this and more by installing a PSL Datatrack production system that really worked for his business.

"It is like getting off a 'push-bike' and into a Rolls Royce," is how Mick Finney of Tefloturn, a UK specialist producer of turned parts in an extensive range of thermo plastics materials, described the changes to how he runs his business since he installed PSL Datatrack .

He also describes the return on investment as "marvellous" claiming that the system paid for itself in less than six months.

After his full time administrator left the company he did not need a replacement as he discovered that the software was so easy to use.

Working in a variety of plastic materials such as PTFE, Acetal, Nylon and PEEK meant that the number of Quotations he had to produce was large and varied.

Finney stated that on one occasion, he dealt with customer quotations for over 50 components and variations in less than an hour, with a well presented quote letter delivered to the customer by fax, directly from the system.

The result, he said, was: "Staggering".

Other areas of production now easily managed include vacuum forming of plastics offering infinite capacity through sub-contract management, all dealt with via PSL Datatrack .

Of the suppliers of the software, Prospec Systems, Finney commented: "Everyone says they offer exceptional support, but the PSL Datatrack engineers actually deliver it.

They encouraged us to start with just the modules we needed to get the system running quickly, and now we can update and add new modules at any time we feel they may be needed.

Prospec Systems also run an active 'wish-list' which means we can have a hand in designing the next upgrade, as well as getting the benefit of other users ideas at the same time.

Linking to their SAGE accounts system was another vital part of the requirement to make the whole organisation run smoothly and PSL Datatrack does this with ease.

"We do not ever need to type or enter data twice," said Finney, "Making certain that once it is right, it stays right, eliminating errors.

Tefloturn have become committed users of Information Technology utilising previously under-worked computer equipment fully in the administration of both their business and production facilities.

The confidence this gives them to continue their investment in reliable, simple to use software, lets them get on with the real business of producing parts at the right price and on time, something Finney described as: "Priceless".

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