More organisation, better visual presentation
Add-ons can bring important workflow improvements to automated, already running production processes. For example in prefabricated timber construction, where shortages can occur towards the end of the production process and shortly before loading.
This is where the WallMagazine add-on powered by granIT steps in.
WallMagazine provides the user with an overview of which wall is on which rack. In short: the right walls are always on the right rack and in the right place.
This means that errors in categorisation are ruled out entirely.
The WallMagazine also ensures that production or wall units can be stored from one source, retrieved later and finally retrieved from different locations using the trolley: an important aspect for loading logistics.
With this add-on, the racks can be locked and unlocked at both ends of the magazine.
This allows the corresponding walls to be easily booked in and out.
If you select any block in the preview that is in WallMagazine, the same project block is highlighted, making it easier for the user to load the wall of the same project into the same destination.
The WallMagazine add-on can be integrated into established production processes. It is already integrated in the latest version of granITflow, granIT’s basic MES system.
The following video explains exactly how the WallMagazine add-on works and how it is used.
We asked granIT software developer Lipi K. about the challenges involved in programming WallMagazine.
What are the biggest advantages for WallMagazine users?
The main reason for developing WallMagazine is its visual presentation. The user/operator/administrator can get an overview of the current magazine while sitting in their office. In short, you have all the information at a glance with just a few clicks.
Another point is to know which suitable spaces are still free on which rack.
In some cases, the length of the rack is not the same, so the user can also see this in the visualisation.
The user can view and block certain racks from both sides. Example: The user has a wall of the same project in the same rack and wants to load (book out) the wall of this rack so that he can lock the rest of the rack and vice versa.
There is a feature to highlight the same project – it is helpful to understand the position of the same project wall.
What were the challenges in developing the software?
The first challenge was to change the aspect ratio of the size (actual length of the wall/rack) according to the view.
Also, one of our customers has about 99 racks – to display 99 racks in a single view is of course impossible to display. The solution is then at hand: the scroll function!
Locking and unlocking has a special setting depending on the customer:
Case: 1 = If you lock the start end of the rack, the last end is also automatically locked.
Case: 2 = Both ends work independently of each other (as shown in the video)
