Established in 1983 and a leading precision-machining company, Barnstable-based
AA Precision Toolmakers Ltd was needing to eliminate the inefficiencies caused to its operation from using an outdated, manual spreadsheet-based system. Now, with
PSL Datatrack production control software at the heart of its operations, the company has streamlined administration, enhanced traceability, and transformed its production control processes.
Steve Martin, AA Precision’s production manager, said: “Before investing in PSL Datatrack, managing our quotations and general workflow was a nightmare. We had to retype the same information repeatedly, and with hundreds of active order lines it was all too easy for things to get missed or delayed. It was clear that if we wanted to continue growing, we needed to seriously improve our methods.”
AA Precision specialises in machining both simple and highly complex components from a wide variety of material, from aluminium and stainless steel to titanium and Inconel; and with 16 CNC mills and lathes, plus an emphasis on rapid delivery, the company needed a system that could support its ISO 9001 accreditation — and improve efficiency.
Having used PSL Datatrack at a previous company, Mr Martin was already familiar with its benefits and knew what a difference the system could make. “It is designed for businesses like ours, sub-contract precision engineers who need to quote quickly, stay on top of production, and meet tight delivery schedules. The decision to invest in PSL Datatrack was an easy one, and the modular nature of the software meant we could start with the essential features and expand over time; indeed, we are now exploring additional modules, including the powerful Sequential Scheduler and dynamic Status Boards, to further optimise shopfloor visibility.
“Quoting used to be a chore but is now a breeze — and raising invoices takes seconds. In fact, we no longer require a part-time clerk, which saves us around £18,000 a year; and the business has far more time available to focus on higher-value activities such as quality, customer satisfaction, and continuing to grow the business.”
Mr Martin added that a key strength of PSL Datatrack is the centralisation of data, which not only supports ISO 9001 requirements but also improves traceability and historic lookup across the business. “Having all our data in one place makes a world of difference. Whether it is raising a works order, processing goods in or tracking a job’s progress, it is all seamless.”