Usecase Metalnet

Since 2003, MetalNet has been a high-level supplier of machining operations such as CNC milling and turning. Through the acquisition of a professional machining company in 2019, MetalNet has further expanded its position in the industry with machining activities. MetalNet's core values are craftsmanship, two technically high-quality machinery and an extremely tightly organized planning. This enables them to produce customer-oriented total solutions for the most diverse industrial sectors.

Challenge

The large amount of incoming orders was processed manually. Besides the costs this entails, it also leaves a lot of room for human error. With an expansion of the machine park, MetalNet wishes to prepare itself for the future, with the first item on the agenda: automation of order intake. Team Datacation was asked to develop a module that is able to read incoming PDFs, formulate a work order and insert it into the planning system.

Process

Team Datacation has created a generic PDF scanner, initially tailored to MetalNet's seven largest customers. Given the underlying variety of the PDF files, building a generic scanner is complex. In addition, the control of the model had to be simple in order to stimulate the acceptance of such a program by the employees of MetalNet. To maintain this simplicity, only one step is required from the employee, placing the order(s) in the “Input” folder. This folder is automatically emptied, the files are analyzed and the orders are entered into the planning system. In case errors or unknown files get into the “Input” folder - no problem! The model has been developed in such a way that these are recognized, made accessible and moved to an output folder for feedback. In addition, all steps are automatically documented, so that historical operations performed by our model can be looked back at any time.

Solution

Upon delivery, as with many projects Datacation carries out, one of our experts was on hand for a longer period of time to solve any problems. Many details were found during this period that were immediately incorporated into new versions of the model to make it more robust. This process will continue for some time, but the first results have already been achieved. By implementing this model, MetalNet has lowered its costs, reduced the error-proneness of the process and prepared them for the future increase in incoming orders. Response from director Paul Coppens: "As soon as we want to connect more customers, we know where to find you, so far your piece of software works perfectly!"The MetalNet business office currently consists of 6 FTE. Director Paul Coppens expects that this will eventually lead to a saving of 1 FTE if they get 80% of the customers trained through our tool. In addition, he indicates that mistakes are often made that are no longer made with our tool. This leads to additional savings that can add up to considerable financial costs.