AA PRECISION POWERS GROWTH WITH PSL DATATRACK PRODUCTION CONTROL SOFTWARE

AA Precision Toolmakers Limited, a leading precision machining company based in Barnstaple, North Devon, has freed up valuable time to focus on profitable growth by implementing a PSL Datatrack production control software system.

The company, established in 1983, faced a critical need to eliminate the inefficiencies caused by its outdated, manual spreadsheet-based system. Now, with PSL Datatrack at the heart of its operations, AA Precision has streamlined administration, enhanced traceability and ultimately transformed its production control processes.

“Before investing in PSL Datatrack, managing our quotations and general workflow was a nightmare,” explains Steve Martin, Production Manager at AA Precision. “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 the machining of both simple and highly complex components across a wide variety of material grades – from aluminium and stainless steel to titanium and Inconel. With a modern machine shop housing 16 CNC mills and lathes, and an emphasis on rapid delivery and customer service, the company needed a system that could support its ISO 9001 accreditation while also improving efficiency.

Having used PSL Datatrack at a previous company, Steve was already familiar with its industry-specific benefits. “I knew first-hand what a difference PSL Datatrack could make. It’s designed for businesses like ours – subcontract precision engineers who need to quote quickly, stay on top of production and meet tight delivery schedules,” he comments.

The decision to invest in PSL Datatrack was therefore an easy one. The modular nature of the software meant that AA Precision could start with the essential features and expand over time, and it has already added additional user licences in line with its growth. The company is now exploring additional modules, including the powerful Sequential Scheduler and dynamic Status Boards, to further optimise shop floor visibility.

“The implementation was smooth, and the training provided was excellent,” Steve continues. “PSL Datatrack worked at our pace, and the ongoing support has been first-class. Everyone from our Managing Director to the team in Goods In and Out uses the system daily – it’s just so simple and straightforward to use.”

Quoting and invoicing, once time-consuming processes prone to duplication, are now handled swiftly and accurately. “Quoting used to be a chore – now it’s a breeze!” says Steve. “And raising invoices takes seconds – we no longer require a part-time clerk, which saves us around £18,000 a year.”

The benefits of AA Precision’s investment in PSL Datatrack are therefore clear to see. Freed from the constraints of its old Excel-based setup, the business has far more time available to focus on higher-value activities. “PSL Datatrack has given us back so much time,” Steve confirms. “We are using this to focus on quality, customer satisfaction and continuing to grow the business.”

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 of our data in one place makes a world of difference,” remarks Steve. “Whether it’s raising a works order, processing goods in or tracking a job’s progress – it’s all seamless.”

Looking ahead, the company is excited to further expand its use of PSL Datatrack to meet future challenges head-on. “The modular approach is ideal for us. We’re not forced into paying for features we don’t need – we choose what works for us and add to it when the time is right,” Steve comments.

PSL Datatrack has therefore completely transformed how AA Precision work. “PSL Datatrack is reliable, intuitive and perfect for subcontract precision engineers like us. It’s enabled us to grow and we’d never go back to the old way doing things,” concludes Steve.

For more information, visit www.psldatatrack.com or contact PSL Datatrack, Lily Hill House, Lily Hill Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 2SJ, Tel: +44 (0) 1344 827312, Email: sales@psldatatrack.com