Manufacturing & Engineering Bespoke WFM Systems

Understanding bespoke WFM systems

Workforce Management (WFM) Systems are incredibly popular in the Manufacturing and Engineering sectors. Accuracy, productivity and intelligent use of resources are critical factors in ensuring these organisations stay competitive and profitable in a saturated market - WFM systems allow them to do just that. Gone are the days where a typical production floor is akin to a football match and that is largely because of the introduction of software that can intelligently schedule, track and optimise performance based on live time data.

Your business may function perfectly well with an off-the-shelf WFM solution if you don't have complex workflows, processes or integration requirements. However, if you do have non standard processes and workflows that off-the-shelf software does not cater to, bespoke WFM systems are by far the better option

Because these systems are designed and develop from scratch, all of your business's quirks can be accommodated and what's more, the WFM system can be built in a way that will allow it to integrate with other existing systems - bespoke or otherwise.

The role of bespoke solutions in manufacturing & engineering

Bespoke WFM solutions are designed and developed to address the specific needs of your company as well as the wider manufacturing and engineering sectors. This ensures that every aspect - from shift planning to quality control to integration - aligns with the unique demands of your clients AND your industry. 

Achieving efficiency and optimisation in these industries can be a behemoth of a task. That's because, in manufacturing and engineering, chances are you're using multiple systems for different functions such as production scheduling, inventory management and logistics. A custom WFM solution can prevent these systems and their respective users from working in silos and instead, offer a cohesive, central platform that links all of your processes.

Generic systems are often not suited to the unique workflows, regulations or processes required in these sectors, which is why integration and customisation are essential to maintaining operational efficiency and consistency across your (likely) complex operations.

Use cases

Lets' take a look at some real world use cases.

Bespoke manufacturing - Shift planning and resource allocation

If you're in a custom manufacturing environment where your production processes are tailored to meet your customers specific demands or specialised product requirements, a bespoke WFM system can optimise labour scheduling by accounting for specific production needs, machinery availability and worker skills. This ensures that the right employees are available when required, minimising downtime and improving productivity. A generic WFM system may struggle to incorporate these non standard manufacturing processes, leading to inefficiencies and delays in production.

Engineering projects - Real time Compliance and Certification tracking

In high stakes engineering divisions such as automotive and aviation - compliance isn't optional. A custom WFM system can be built to track certifications, training and qualifications for your employees, ensuring only authorised staff are scheduled for particular tasks. It can even sync with HR and project management software, reducing the risk of compliance breaches and keeping you ready at all times for those unexpected audits.

Heavy equipment manufacturing - Maintenance scheduling and workforce coordination

When machinery stops, everything stops and that’s an expensive lesson. A bespoke WFM system can connect directly to your maintenance software to align technician schedules with equipment needs. It helps prioritise urgent repairs, allocate the right people and keep downtime to an absolute minimum.

Precision engineering - Enhancing cross department collaboration

Precision engineering depends on effective coordination between design, production and testing teams. A bespoke WFM system can connect timelines, resources and team schedules across these departments meaning your projects move from one stage to the next in a timely and cohesive manner. It keeps designers to machinists to QA specialists and everyone in between singing from the same hymn sheet!

Collaborative design

No bespoke system worth it's salt is built in isolation. Getting the right result means input is required from all across your business - engineering, operations, HR, IT and management all need to have a seat at the table. Workshops, design sessions and open feedback loops will help you to make sure that the finished system genuinely works for everyone rather than just one department. When people are involved in shaping the software they’ll be using, adoption is much more successful and results are stronger.

Challenges and solutions

With every good software solution there are of course challenges to be considered and overcome. In manufacturing and engineering environments specifically, there are a wide range of potential obstacles you may face when implementing a bespoke WFM system.

Let's take a look at some of the common problems you might encounter and how to overcome them.

Integrations

The challenge

Integrating the bespoke WFM system with your existing infrastructure and software can be a challenge - particularly if your existing systems are old, bespoke or maybe even both.

The solution

Take a phased approach. Rather than ripping everything out all a once, integrate gradually. Test as you go, involve end users early and make sure any problems are caught before the actual rollout. This keeps things stable whilst still moving forward and saves you any nasty surprises on deployment.

Resistance to change

The challenge

A common problem across many organisations - if your employees are accustomed to their existing ways of working, they may well be resistant to adopting the new WFM solution.

The solution

Offering training and regular opportunities for communication make all the difference. Tailor the training to each role so people can see how the new system helps them specifically and back it up with ongoing support in the form of workshops, help desks or quick check ins. This should prevent anyone from struggling through it alone.

Customisation

The challenge

The most beneficial aspect can also be the most challenging - customising the actual WFM solution to meet your specific business needs requires significant time, investment and expertise.

The solution

Work with a development team that’s already experienced in manufacturing and engineering systems. Define your requirements clearly from day one and stay engaged throughout the development cycle. Make time for regular feedback and communication as this will ensure the system develops in line with your business needs and results in a fit for purpose final product.

Looking ahead: The future of bespoke WFM systems

The future of bespoke Workforce Management systems will likely be shaped by emerging technologies i including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and the Internet of Things (IoT). These technologies are already enabling businesses to make intelligent, data backed decisions, helping to forecast labour needs, optimise scheduling and allocate resources more effectively. 

To conclude

So, it's fair to say that bespoke WFM systems in the Manufacturing and Engineering industries certainly have a role to play and in some cases, are absolutely vital. Whilst challenges such as integration and resistance to change do of course exist, they can be overcome if you take the correct approach, work with the right people and ensure your move to a bespoke WFM is structured, supported and communicated to employees.

Again, not all companies in Manufacturing and Engineering will require a bespoke WFM system or indeed any WFM system at all but if you're one of those with complex, non standard business processes and workflows - it's definitely worth exploring.