Shop scheduling software

[tree]

I am looking for a simple cost effective way of keeping orders in line with our build schedule. I have looked at a few pieces of software... But I dont know much about this side of a shop. I have always just been the builder untill now. The paper ticket method is the only way we have now and the 1000 sheets of paper is becoming unefficient.

[bleeth]

Brian: You can put together your own order tracking chart in excel very easily. In our case every job gets a job number, but since each job has different lengths of time required they proceed at different rates. They all have the same steps though: Drafting, submittal,approval, material procurement, pre-lam, cutting, assembly, post-lam, hardware, shipping, installation.
Your product may be different (mine doesn't sound nearly as good!) but the concept can be the same.
The main thing is making updating it required from day one until it becomes automatic.

[cabnet636]

i have used milestones for years, low cost easy to understand!! also have worked with microsoft project$$$
look for kidasa.com


jim mcgrew

[handh]

Here is a free open source software that is like Microsoft Project. It is called Open Project, you might want to get it a try.

http://openproj.org/home

Then download the windows version at source forge.

Hope this helps.

[handh]

Also this shows you how to create a gantt chart using excel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW_wGSFavTc

[handh]

Here's my last thing that you might want to check out its a Excel Gantt Chart Template that you can download.

http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/excel-gantt-chart.html,http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/excel-gantt-chart.html}

A outlook add-in that might do the job for about 60.00

http:/www.outlooksync.com/products/action-project-manager/action-project-manager-overview.html

[bcammack]

This is geared towards the countertop industry, but it has excellent quoting and scheduling of jobs.

Moraware JobTracker

www.moraware.com (http://www.moraware.com)

We use the enterprise edition here and at our Jacksonville office. The company is very responsive and the principles at _really_ smart computer guys. (speaking as a 30-year computer professional myself)