Creating more time with Job Commander
It’s often been said that everybody on the planet has been given the same
amount of time – 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. It’s how you use
this time that’s important.
Geoff from JBO Engineering has discovered a way of using his time
more effectively. He has implemented an advanced software solution that
frees him up from repetitive, mundane tasks and given him more time to
better manage his business. Being a small business owner, having the
freedom to work on the business rather than in the business is reaping big
dividends. There is more opportunity to plan and think strategically.
JBO Engineering is a relatively small operation with customers in the
aerospace, electronics and automotive industry. High quality and on-time
delivery is critical to success, so effective scheduling is very important.
Easy to understand, so learning is fast
Geoff considered a number of planning and scheduling solutions, but
settled on Job Commander from Global Job Solutions. It was by far the
easiest to understand and, being designed specifically for toolmakers,
fitted the way he worked well.
Geoff was also impressed with the vendor’s genuine request for feedback
and involvement in future product development – this clearly not a ‘set
and forget’ product. Already some of Geoff’s ideas have been
incorporated into the product. Building a community of users and
developers guarantees a very practical and flexible product.
Installation quicker than expected
Installing new software is always a harrowing time, particularly when it
is critical to scheduling, billing and ultimately business success. Geoff
decided to run a dual system, both the new and the old manual system
together, for 6 months to allow a
settling in period. But, after only 3
months the old system was stopped with
the entire business running smoothly on
Job Commander. The intuitive structure
of Job Commander helped staff learn
and adapt to it very quickly.
Geoff describes the back-up and training provided for Job Commander as
superb. Phone support was sensational, with Job Commander personnel
remotely logging in to JBO’s systems to correct hiccups in real time.
Big time savings from simple data entry
The huge time savings come from Job Commander’s single point of data
entry and it’s ability to automatically record time and other costs. Job
information is entered when quoting, and gradually built up as the job
progresses. There is no need to re-enter information to create a job card
from a quote, or to create an invoice from a job card.
Along the way machinists simply select the job they are working on and
the system automatically records the time taken on the job. This
information is automatically included in the invoice – a great time saving
for ‘cost plus’ work.
Increase profit from better management information
Job Commander provides detailed reports that guide managers on were
they need to focus their improvement efforts. For example, if a particular
process is consistently taking longer than quoted it should be investigated
and corrected. Job Commander can provide reports to investigate single
machines, individual workers or particular types of work.
Of course, the report itself only provides information, it’s then up to
managers to take action. But by looking at the reports over time
managers will know how effective their action has been.
Great value for money – even for smaller operations
The difference Job Commander has made to JBO Engineering is
significant, and this is translating into increased efficiency and
profitability. Geoff reckons that, compared to other systems available on
the market, Job Commander represents particularly good value for
money.
Any chance of going back to the old way of working? No way!