Reasons to collect data regarding your steel fabrication services

Industrial & Manufacturing Blog

Structural steel fabrication is an important service for many different businesses. If you rely on fabrication to prepare your raw materials, you may find value in collecting data regarding the fabrication process. For example, welding and machine data, production timelines and sales transactions (with your fabrication company) can provide valuable insights for your business. Such data can be used to identify how you and your fabrication service could develop a more productive working relationship.

Many businesses now follow a data-driven approach to improve efficiency and remain competitive. By collecting data regarding your steel fabrication processes, you'll be able to uncover valuable insights and even produce higher quality end products.

Which data can you collect?

You may be wondering which types of data will help you improve your steel fabrication process. There are many different informational streams that you can use to learn more about your manufacturing process. However, collecting such data will require collaboration between you and your steel fabrication company.

Because your fabricators carry out the actual work, you may need to integrate your systems with theirs so as to access as much information as possible.

Here are several types of data that will prove useful to collect.

Sales transactions

Sales data from your steel fabrication company will be quite useful for your business. This data contains the materials purchased, prices for each unit and the specific type of fabrication that was done.

For example, you may be able to learn more about how much was spent on welding circular components for your commercial pipe production. Such sales data can be used to identify cost savings opportunities in the future.

Production timelines

Another type of data you can collect is the production timelines for your steel fabrication components. For example, you can determine how much time it takes to fabricate metal beams that you will then use to build various structures.

Knowing your production timeline allows you to satisfy customer demand on time. You may also be able to account for any delays that may come from your steel fabrication company.

Machine data

You should also strive to collect data from steel fabrication machines. Ask your fabrication service to share with you data regarding welding temperatures, sheet metal thickness, pressure levels and quality controls. This data is useful because you can use it to optimise your in-house machines in a manner that reduces overall costs.

By collecting and analysing steel fabrication data, you can identify cost savings opportunities, make accurate material projections and ultimately improve product quality.

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